Shelby's Social Diary

The French prince on horseback had a smokin' good time, royal weddings not onhis mind

The prince, the ambassador and the cowboy go western at Somerville Acres.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
This cowboy could out-rope Will Rogers.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
The barbecue crew came with a hefty load of supplies.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Prime rib was cooking all afternoon over hot coals.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
The cows were safe with this Bellaire city councilman behind the rope.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Mike Wells demonstrating cutting horse talents.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
His first-time riding western since years back.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Blueberry cobbler cooked over coals in a dutch oven.
Photo by Shelby Hodge

We're not sure that Prince Jean de France, Duc de Vendome, had any notion of what awaited him as he landed in Houston on Saturday. But we are certain that he will never forget the day that he was whisked from international arrivals at IAH and transported way west to Somerville Acres for a colorful afternoon of ridin', ropin and chowin' down.

The prince is in Houston this week for a round of parties and for a charity luncheon on Tuesday at the Hilton Americas-Houston, where he will talk on royal weddings, including his own, in anticipation of England's royal merger on Friday.

His Royal Highness, as he is wont to be called (never mind that untidiness with Marie Antoinette and friends), arrived with a set of suede riding britches in his luggage. His gracious host for the afternoon, Paul Somerville, had taken care of the boots (ostrich), plaid shirt, western hat and belt with requisite rodeo buckle. So the prince, who hadn't ridden western since an experience way-back in Europe, found himself fully outfitted and sitting astride a frisky mount for a good part of the afternoon.

Entertainment on horseback

He was a great sport throughout the day, time change notwithstanding and jet lag not evident. Somerville put on the best that his wooded, 400-acre horse ranch has to offer with his pals Mike Wells, former president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and Helen Nalls, rodeo competitor, demonstrating their cutting edge horse skills.

Somerville, a past rodeo chairman himself, tapped a few cowboys to demonstrate calf roping and brought in hot shot trick roper Nolan Leach of San Antonio for a breathtaking show. Most of the ladies in the group of about 50 guests swooned over the talented 23-year-old who enjoyed enough roping talent, good looks and charming manners to win a contract with a major movie studio — alas, if only they still made old-style westerns. This first part of the afternoon took place at the Somerville stables and huge horse barn where the prince had practiced his western riding skills.

Chow time!

After the demonstrations and photo ops with the prince, the party crowd moved over to another section of the ranch to the party barn, situated on a peninsula in a manmade lake. For this second half of the day-into-night affair, Somerville brought in a cooking team that had spent the afternoon roasting scrumptious prime rib over hot coals. Blueberry cobbler and yeast bread were cooked in dutch ovens over coals as well. And among the wines served were some of those that our host had purchased at the Rodeo Uncorked! wine auction. A western music group kept the dance floor busy for much of the night.

The prince was such a good sport that he joined the line dancing demonstration where Susan Krohn and Patrick Gehm, Karen and Scott Rozzell, Brenda Love and Ed Jones, Cathy and Mel Jodeit and Joanne King Herring (catalyst for the entire thing) tried their talents at side-together-step, clap, clap, clap and such. Also in the mix were Bellaire City Councilman Corbett Parker, Ch. 13 news reporter Miya Shay, Robin King and Beau King.

Clayton and Connie Cooke, who chairs Tuesday's luncheon, joined in every bit of the fun that was so graciously provided by Paul Somerville. With parties planned every night and day through Wednesday, Connie has her hands full.

The luncheon benefits Joanne King Herring's Marshall Plan for Afghanistan, building a model village.

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Grapes and Glory

It’s a tie: two champs crowned at prestigious Houston wine competition

Photo by Dave Rossman

Sean Beck, co-winners Zachary Newman and John Mason, Lara Lack, and Justin Goodman.

For the first time in Iron Sommelier history, it wasn’t just the wine leaving guests speechless.

It was the scoreboard.

Zachary Newman of Pappas Steakhouse and John Mason of The Coronado Club made history with a rare draw, splitting the coveted title of Iron Sommelier 2025 at The Periwinkle Foundation’s annual swirl-and-sip showdown at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Park.

The event, presented by Chord Energy, turned up the tannins and raised the bar and a record $535,000. Proceeds support Periwinkle’s Camps, Arts, and Survivor programs, all serving children and families facing life-threatening illnesses.

Chaired by Sean Beck and Lara Lack, the evening gathered more than 650 oenophiles to sample and swirl wines thoughtfully curated by 14 of Houston’s top somms. Each wine pro presented a trio of selections rooted in a theme of their choosing. Newman’s operatic “Bottling Bel Canto” paired Italian wines with their musical muses, while Mason’s “The Wine King” offered a journey through the diverse terroirs of South Africa.

In a competition judged by industry experts including Jesse Katz, Jim Clarke, Eugenio Jardim, and James Tidwell, sommeliers were scored on originality, depth of knowledge, and flair. Katz, recently crowned Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast, even popped into the Underwriter Room to pour from his Aperture Cellars portfolio and chat with fans.

Elsewhere, a Masters Tasting Room featured rare, high-end pours guided by four Master Sommeliers, while Steven McDonald and Frank Bullington delivered a surprise rap performance about the wines — you had to be there. The University of Houston Cougar Marching Band brought the brass, and standout bites came courtesy of local chefs like Laura Reyes, Richard Knight, Jassi Bindra, and the duo of MJ Zapata and Juana Gomez.

Emcee Kevin Quinn of KRBE-FM steered the night with humor and heart, sharing his family’s personal connection to pediatric cancer. Periwinkle camper-turned-counselor Sydney Decker brought the mission to life with her own survivor story.

Additional honors went to Kelly Rau (first runner-up), Coleman Mason (second runner-up), Harold Houpt (best wine), and Marcus Gausepohl (best theme and table decor). Newman also nabbed People’s Choice, adding a cherry on top of his co-win.

Meanwhile, the crowd kept spirits high with a wine pull, a whiskey-and-wine raffle, a live auction featuring art by pediatric patients, and a trip-worthy wine case curated by 2024 champ Matthew McLaughlin. In a toast to community and generosity, Doug Suggitt saluted presenting sponsor Chord Energy and longtime supporter AutoSol for fueling the foundation’s mission.

Sippin’ and strollin’ were Justin and Natalie Goodman, Jayne Finkowski-Rivera and Carlos Rivera, Jenifer and Scott Jarriel, Karen and Dave Smith, Dr. Tim Porea, Dr. ZoAnn Dryer, Melinda and Matt Mogas, Susan and Kurt Hanson, Debbie and Ozzie Bauer, Anne and John Clutterbuck, Frank Billingsley, Kevin Gilliard, Jessica and Bobby Matos, Sarah and Charlie Blanchard, Heidi and Ken Dunek, Paulina and Jim McGrath, Valerie and Rick Greiner, Livia Schooley and Jimmy Massaad, and many more wine-loving friends of the foundation.

Photo by Dave Rossman

Sean Beck, co-winners Zachary Newman and John Mason, Lara Lack, and Justin Goodman.

fundraisers wine iron sommelier