Best of the best sommeliers

William and Paige Griffin, Susan and Kurt Hanson, Dan and Celeste Schurman, Frank Billingsley, and Kevin Gilliard attended the Periwinkle Foundation’s annual Iron Sommelier event at The Post Oak Hotel. This year’s event, led by wine chair Sean Beck and sommelier chair Lara Lack, welcomed more than 650 wine enthusiasts and raised a record-breaking $535,000. Each of the 14 participating sommeliers selected three wines for the panel of judges. In a first-ever tie, the Periwinkle Foundation crowned two winners: Zachary Newman of Pappas Steakhouse and John Mason of The Coronado Club. A highlight of the night was special guest and world-renowned winemaker Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars, who poured a selection from his portfolio and served as a guest judge. The Iron Sommelier event supports the Periwinkle Foundation’s camps, arts, and survivor programs which serve children, teens, and families facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

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