Grapes and Glory

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

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

Music and Wine

White tie elegance fuels Houston Symphony Ball to $1.2 million

Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography and Jacob Power Photography

Lisa Rydman Lindsey, John and Lindy Rydman, and Alan Key.

White tie, red drapery, and a little Bordeaux energy — the Houston Symphony Ball skipped the prelude and went straight to party.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson Photography and Jacob Power Photography

Lisa Rydman Lindsey, John and Lindy Rydman, and Alan Key.

The Houston Symphony celebrated its annual signature gala at The Post Oak Hotel. Chaired by Lindy Rydman and John Rydman, the evening drew inspiration from “Musique et Vin,” an homage to the timeless harmony between music and wine.

Guests, white tie encouraged (and enthusiastically embraced), stepped into a ballroom transformed into a European reverie. Décor by The Events Company leaned into old world romance. Set against rich red drapery, the design evoked the grandeur of historic concert halls and the mystique of storied vineyards.

Chef Jean-Luc Royere crafted a menu that reflected the ball’s refined culinary inspiration. Between courses, guests browsed a thoughtfully curated silent auction featuring luxury items and exclusive experiences. The bidding added liveliness to the evening.

And then, as the final plates were cleared, the mood shifted.

The dance floor came alive thanks to high-energy entertainment by Q the Band, whose performance was underwritten by ARCA Continental/Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. By evening’s end, the Symphony Ball had raised $1.2 million in support of the orchestra’s artistic programming and industry-leading education and community initiatives.

On the scene were Gary Ginstling, Margaret Alkek Williams, Barbara and Pat McCelvey, Devorah and David Krieger, Barbara Burger, Jesse Tutor, Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Sippi and Ajay Khurana, Betsy and Fredric Weber, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, David Peavy and Stephen McCauley, Hallie Vanderhider, Brigitte Kalai, Brett and Erin Busby, Matthew and Lil Kades, Tom and Carrie Field, Rini and Edward Ziegler, Alice Mao Brams and Matt Brams, Chris Cheever, Diane Morales, Lisa Rydman Lindsey, Mike Parsons, Aoife and David Cummingham, Jerre Williams, Gretchen and Jay Watkins, and Anne and Albert Chao.