The Sangria Throwdown is an annual event organized by Women Of Wine (WOW) Charities, and it’s coming back on Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mercedes-Benz of Houston Greenway is hosting (the same venue as in recent years), and it’s located at 3900 Southwest Freeway. Funds raised from ticket sales and onsite festivities are donated to the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC), a non-profit organization that assists adults and children who are survivors of domestic violence. 

Tickets are available online for $95 per person. (As of press time, 113 tickets were left and, historically, those will go very quickly as the competition draws closer.) Only one “Matador Package” remains, which seats a group of eight. It’s also the only way to get VIP access such as early entry at 6 p.m. and perks such a swag bag and access to the VIP lounge serving jamón Ibérico and other charcuterie along with a special sherry tasting.

The annual competition brings together bartenders, sommeliers and other drink professionals from more than a dozen bars, restaurants and wine businesses all over Houston, and each team tries to make their best version of sangria, a cocktail with a wine base that is amped up with additions such as spirits, liqueur and fresh fruit. Because of the many variations on sangria, competitors will compete to win one of five categories: Best Dark Sangria, Best Light Sangria, Most Creative Sangria and Judge’s Choice Sangria. Attendees will vote on the People’s Choice Sangria.

The Competitors

• 13 celsius

• Candelari’s

• Doris Metropolitan

• El Meson

• Guard & Grace

• The Library

• Lucille’s

• MAD

• nobie’s

• Pacha Nikkei

• Reata Cellars

• Riel
• Stella’s Wine Bar at The Post Oak Hotel 

The Judges

This year, Phaedra Cook of Houston Food Finder (that’s me) and Katie Stone of The Cleverley Stone Foundation, which organizes the Houston Restaurant Weeks and Eat Drink HTX fundraisers every year, are returning as judges. There are new judges joining the slate, too, including newly anointed Houston Chronicle restaurant critic Bao Ong, longtime food, travel and wine writer Robin Barr Sussman who has written for CultureMap, Texas Monthly and other publications and Ernie Manouse, who hosts PBS show InterVIEWS with Ernie Manouse “Hello Houston”. Of course, all attendees can be judges, too, and vote for the People’s Choice winner.

Fun Things to Do at the Sangria Throwdown (Besides Drink Sangria) 

There will be nibbles to go along with the sangria, including paella for general admission attendees by Paella Fusion and, new for this year, freshly made hot churros with chocolate and caramel dipping sauces by Angel’s Churro Cart.

Every year, companies and individuals donate wines of every caliber from their cellars for the Wine Spin game. Buy a ticket for $20, and spin the wheel. Every spin wins a bottle of wine, and the color you get on the wheel determines the value of the wine that you receive. (Last year, I was thrilled to win a wine valued at $100 from my $20 spin.) There will also be a raffle for luxurious prizes; tickets are $50 each or three for $100. 

Go online for additional information and to purchase tickets. You can also purchase raffle and wine pull tickets on the ticket purchase page. If you’re unable to attend, donations to HAWC are gratefully accepted. (Finance a “Safe Night’s Sleep” at HAWC for $45, or scroll to the bottom of the ticket page to donate any amount you choose.)

Phaedra Cook

Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.