On Thursday, November 7, the 2024 Iron Sommelier was chosen at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston in front of over 600 hundred wine enthusiasts and generous donors. The annual sommelier competition and wine tasting event raised over $410,000 for the Periwinkle Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting children and teens challenged by serious illnesses and cared for at Texas Children’s Hospital, and their families.

This year, the prestigious title of 2024 Iron Sommelier Champion was bestowed to Matthew McLaughlin of Guard and Grace. McLaughlin competed against 13 other top Houston sommeliers who each selected three wines centered around a specific region, varietal or style. Judges evaluated the wines on selection, presentation, originality and expertise. McLaughlin and his team won for their “Rhône If You Want To: Rhône Around The World” theme, complete with ’80s attire and table dressings. The wines the team served were 2022 Pedro Parra “Trane” Cinsault, 2021 Thistledown “The Vagabond” Old Vine Grenache and 2021 Reynvaan “Stonessence” Syrah. Houston Food Finder reached out to McLaughlin for some insight on his experience: “I was fortunate to be a participant in the first Iron Sommelier nearly twenty years ago, and to win it this year is an incredibly gratifying experience. It feels like a validation of a life lived in the service of others.”

He relayed how it ties back to his work at Guard and Grace, stating that “My aim with my wine program is to make things that so often seem daunting more approachable. I hope that a guest who comes in to dine with us at Guard and Grace leaves having fallen in love with something new they have never experienced before.” Will we see McLaughlin return to the competition? “It is the great privilege of my life to be a part of so many people’s special moments, and I look forward to being a part of many more in the future!”

The evening included awards for other categories, including:

• First Runner Up: Kelly Rau, AOC Selections and The Texas Wine School
• Second Runner Up: Alvin Pham, Andiron
• People’s Choice: Brennan Harmeier, The Library Wine Bar
• Best Wine: Alvin Pham, Andiron
• Best Theme: John Mason, The Coronado Club

Other competing sommeliers included: Harold Houpt, 13 celsius; Kate Severson, Houston Oaks Country Club & Retreat; Lucas Bowes, MARCH; Davis Allen Wood, Mastro’s Steakhouse; Travis Walker, Padre’s Wine; Jason Barnett, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse; Dennis Vawter, River Oaks Country Club; and Sarah Brenner, Vinology Bottle Shop + Tasting Bar.

This year’s judges included Colin Eddy of Hyland Estates and NW Wine Company, Paul Hobbs of Paul Hobbs Wineries, Lauren Holbrook of Dalla Terra Wines and Gabe Howe of CDV 713. 

Ultimately, it was all in good fun and raised money for Periwinkle’s Camps, Arts and Survivor programs, which are offered free of charge to patients and families. Funds were also raised through auctions, raffles, wine pulls, underwriter opportunities and the sale of artwork by pediatric cancer patients at Texas Children’s Hospital and Hematology Center through the Periwinkle Arts in Medicine program. 

Mario-Sebastian Berry

Mario-Sebastian Berry is a wine and spirits vendor who has been in the hospitality industry since 2002. Currently, he represents Blanco, Texas-based Andalusia Whiskey Co. He holds numerous wine, beer and spirits certifications including Certified Sommelier. Somehow, he also finds time to be Houston Food Finder’s associate editor and social media manager.