Shelby's Social Diary
Fine wines and fab fare make the Houston Symphony Vintage Virtuoso dinner atasteful event
Photo by Pete Baatz
The opportunities for tasting were bountiful at the Houston Symphony VintageVirtuoso dinner evening.Photo by Pete Baatz
Photo by Pete Baatz
Photo by Pete Baatz
Photo by Pete Baatz
Photo by Pete Baatz
Photo by Pete Baatz
Photo by Pete Baatz
It began 15 years ago with Lindy and John Rydman leading a group of Houston Symphony supporters who joined together to buy and sample a few good bottles of wine. Today, that event has grown into a full-blown fundraiser for the symphony that last week saw more than 500 guests pour into the InterContinental Houston for a tasting and dinner evening.
The Rydmans generously hosted the soirée, along with their daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Hermen Key, all of whom are involved in the family business — Spec's Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. Since 1997, the event has generated more than $2 million for the symphony’s Music Matters community outreach programs.
With the Spec's connection, it was fitting that the evening began with a tasting of wine, beer and spirits and moved on to a seated dinner orchestrated by InterContinental executive chef Peter Laufer with wines coordinated by the Rydman family.
To compliment the chef's butternut squash ravioli, herb-crusted rack of lamb and baked apple tart, the family selected a Basa Spanish Rueda, Sonoma Cutrer Pino Noir, Septima Malbec and Graham's Six Grapes Port.
Among those savoring the night's taste sensations were symphony executive director and CEO Mark Hanson, Tara and David Wuthrich, Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia, Jill and Dr. Ray Kirk, Carolyn and Mike Mann, Darlene and Cappy Bisso, Kathi and Bill Rovere, Gene Dewhurst, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Demi and Ron Rand and Doug McMurrey.
