a grape opportunity
Dallas-based, wine-obsessed private club unveils new Houston facility
Tommy Shuey is bringing 55 Seventy to Houston.
A Dallas-based, members-only club catering to wine lovers is coming to Houston. Set to open next year, the Houston location of 55 Seventy will feature wine storage, a restaurant, and other facilities designed to appeal to wine collectors.
Founder Tommy Shuey and sommelier Jeff Gregory launched 55 Seventy in Dallas in 2022 as the ultimate destination for oenophiles. The new Houston facility, located in the River Oaks area — exact address to be announced — will offer approximately 800 temperature-controlled wine lockers in various sizes. These lockers will accommodate collections too large for a typical home wine fridge.
The club will also offer meeting rooms, private dining space, and a lounge. 55 Seventy has retained two Houston-based firms, Gin Design Group and Abel Design Group, to serve as interior designer and architect of record, respectively.
An on-site restaurant will provide a venue for members to consume their collections with a menu created by corporate executive chef Josh Sutcliff, whose resume includes time as chef de cuisine at pioneering Dallas restaurant FT33. The Dallas location’s menu features dishes such as steak tartare, smoked mushroom arancini, and sushi rolls, alongside entrees that include pasta, seafood, and a wagyu New York strip. An 800-bottle wine list, priced at a retail markup, will offer members plenty of pairing options.
“We are keenly aware of Houston’s high culinary bar, and we are excited to become a part of the city’s dynamic food scene,” Sutcliff said in a statement. “Key to that goal is hiring a talented Houston chef to lead the culinary program and adapt our menu to the unique tastes of the city.”
Gregory will lead a sommelier team that will include a cellar master and wine brokerage services for purchasing vintage and allocated wines. The sommeliers will lead wine classes, tasting events with visiting wine makers, and lead wine-pairing dinners.
Memberships are already available. A limited number of founding memberships cost $35,000 for non-equity and $50,000 for equity. These tiers come with several perks, including 50 percent off tastings and other events, access to the Dallas location and future locations, and monthly dues locked at $349 per month for five years. Three other tiers, with initiation fees of $4,000, $5,000, and $13,000, offer different benefits and monthly fees.
"We are thrilled to bring the 55 Seventy concept to Houston, a city known for its entrepreneurial spirit, global flair, and vibrant dining scene," Shuey said. “Building on the success of our Dallas location, we’re focused on creating an elevated experience, where members can relax, socialize, and have the option to bring and drink their own wine among friends.”
