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

Ashley Waugh, Jeff Gregory, and Analisa Devoe.

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Party Watch

Burns’ Supper brings poetry and fellowship to Houston Public Library

Houston Public Library Foundation Burns Night 2026

Photo by Up in the Air Films

City of Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Whitney Whitmire.

What: Inaugural Robert Burns’ Supper honoring Fellows of the Houston Public Library

Photo by Up in the Air Films

City of Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Whitney Whitmire.

Where: Julia Ideson Building

The Scoop: Houston’s literary set traded their usual reading rooms for a touch of Scottish revelry when the Houston Public Library Foundation hosted its inaugural Robert Burns’ Supper inside the historic Julia Ideson Building. The evening nodded to the legendary Scottish poet while celebrating the installation of the Houston Public Library’s first-ever Fellows.

The newly minted fellows represent a cross section of Houston’s intellectual and civic life. Honorees included Dr. Ruth Simmons, recognized as Fellow of Humanities and Letters; Dr. Peter Hotez, Fellow of The Sciences; Leigh Smith, Fellow of Arts and Culture; Laura Bellows, Fellow of Industry and Commerce; and Hon. William White, Fellow of Law and Civic Life. The program highlights individuals whose leadership reflects the library’s mission to inspire lifelong learning and strengthen the community through access to knowledge.

The evening leaned into the spirited traditions of the classic Burns’ Supper, complete with poetry, music, and celebratory toasts befitting the Scottish bard’s birthday season. Houston Poet Laureate Reyes Ramirez debuted a new work titled Ode to Houston, adding a local verse to the festivities.

The inaugural gathering served as both tribute and fundraiser for the Houston Public Library Foundation, supporting programs, literacy initiatives, and community access to educational resources across the city.

Who: Robyn Ramirez, Cheryl Byington, Nicolas Jimenez, Jack Pendergrast, Maque Garcia, John Preece, Jackie McElroy, Lou McElroy, Ann Hotez, Douglas Gray, Steven and Anne-Marie Bellows, Jim Jordan, Jerri Blanton, Betty and Jim Key, Kurt Grether, Dr. Melanie Johnson, Mario Castillo, Tom and Laura Bacon, Liz Wakefield, Jenny Gregory, Tallent Ricca-Bacon, Katy Bacon-Madigan, Bill and Andrea White, Sandy Gaw, Tiffany Thomas, John Whitmire, Charles Foster, Henry and Doe Florsheim, Regina Rogers, Michele Leal Farah and George Farah, Piotr Galitzine and Maria Anna Galitzine, David Mincberg, Lainie Gordon, Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Willie Davis, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Mimi and Zachry Brown, Frank Rynd, Mickey and Dorothy Ables, Whitney Whitmire, Lillie Robertson, and Beth Robertson.

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