On November 12, Houston’s finest sommeliers will be put to the test for the title of Iron Sommelier in the city’s premier wine competition and fundraiser benefiting The Periwinkle Foundation. Each competing sommelier will select three wines which focus on a particular wine region, grape or style, and a panel of judges will rate wine choice, presentation, creativity, and knowledge of their wine selections.

As an effort to provide a safe and socially-distanced competition, The Periwinkle Foundation will be offering both virtual and in-person opportunities for guests to experience. Individual Ticket holders will be provided with a tasting flight of 12 wines to enjoy at home and will have access to the virtual Iron Sommelier judging presentation and live presentations from guest winemakers. Underwriters will have access to live presentations and interactive conversation with the sommeliers in small private venues or from the comforts of home. All guests will have access to an exciting wine pull, auction, raffle, and Children’s Art sales.

Sommeliers competing in the 2020 competition include: Farrah Cauley – Sonoma Wine Bar, Adele Corrigan – 13 celsius Wine Bar, Matt Crawford – State of Grace, Julie Dalton – Mastro’s Steakhouse, Eric Estefano – Pappas Bros Steakhouse, Marcus Gausepohl – Brennan’s, Whitney Seng – The Coronado Club, Lindsay Thomas – River Oaks Country Club, Emily Tolbert – Savoir, Evan Turner – Krasi Meze & Wine, Justin Vann – Public Services Bar and Theodore Rex, and Jeffrey Young – Georgia James.

The competing sommeliers will be judged by: Craig Collins, MS, Antonio Gianola and June Rodil, MS.