How nice it was for all those potential rodeo patrons to be invited to Brenner's on the Bayou for a little vino, yummy vittles and a "Howdy y'all" scene befitting a sorority or fraternity rush party. The Rodeo Uncorked! Wine Committee charmed would-be members on Tuesday night with what chairs Carol Sawyer and Laura Ward only somewhat facetiously referred to as their "friend-raiser."

The official title was "Champion Wines and Best Bites Kickoff."

It was one of those rare invitations for this time of year — a freebie. Yet, little expense was spared. Guests were treated to generous pours of the award-winning wines from the 2010 International Wine Competition and heavy hors d'oeuvres from Brenner's kitchen. (Thank you, committee member Tilman Fertitta, head of Landry's Restaurants which owns Brenner's.) And they were warmly courted by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo honchos including chairman Butch Robinson, Wine Committee officer-in-charge Steve Roe, general chairman Stephanie Baird and wine sales chairman Joe Van Matre.

In a further attempt to encourage membership in the highly-popular committee that already numbers close to 1,000, members Dr. Tom Sawyer and Curtis Clerkleypreviewed the multitude of tempting wine committee events on the calendar in the coming months. Committee members making the friendly pitch included Andy Delery, Jennifer Currey, Jeanne Shirey-Lord, Kirby and Rainey Janke, Leah Stasney and Michael Briggs.

The message seemed to be that if rodeo isn't your cup of tea, it just could be your glass of wine.

Among those being wooed were Abby and Charlie Shears, Cindi Proler and Jack Lewis, Nancy and Hans Strohmer, Kathi and Bill Rovere, Gaylon and Don Gullquist, Jan Carson and Beverle and Marc Ostrofsky.