BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Iron Sommelier

By Angie Frederickson, Staff writer | December 27, 2023

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Dave and Karen Smith and Donna and Mike Hemmi (Photo: Dave Rossman)
Ozzie and Debbie Bauer (Photo: Dave Rossman)
Dr. Paul Gerson and his wife Rhonda Gerson (Photo: Dave Rossman)
Kevin Steinhart, Frank Karkowsky, Michael Garfield, Lewis Kalmans, and David Steinhart (Photo: Dave Rossman)

The Iron Sommelier competition benefiting the Periwinkle Foundation brought more than 450 wine aficionados together at The Post Oak Hotel. Dave and Karen Smith, Donna and Mike Hemmi, Ozzie and Debbie Bauer, Dr. Paul Gerson and his wife Rhonda Gerson, Kevin Steinhart, Frank Karkowsky, Michael Garfield, Lewis Kalmans, and David Steinhart were among the supporters who raised $380,000 for Periwinkle’s camps, art, and survivor programs for children, teens, and their families facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Wine chair Sean Beck and sommelier chair Lara Lack welcomed 13 of Houston’s top sommeliers for a wine tasting and competition. Judges Mark Rashap, Joseph Samso, and Alison Smith Story evaluated selections from the panel of sommeliers, and crowned Chris Havens from Pappas Bros. Steakhouse the 2023 Iron Sommelier champion. The people’s choice award went to Rachel Van Til from The Clubs at Houston Oaks.

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