Events

TEXSOM 2010 will be held at the The Four Seasons Resort and Club in Irving, Texas on August 15 & 16.  Please save these dates and watch the website for updates.

2009's Texas Best Sommelier!

Irving, Texas (August 17, 2009) –– As Texans become increasingly wine savvy, June-Ann Rodil of Austin’s acclaimed restaurant Uchi leads the pack.  In a grueling three-part wine examination involving service, blind tasting and theory, she outperformed 20 of her peers.  An elite panel of Master Sommelier judges named her Texas’ Best Sommelier 2009 at a ceremony on Monday evening.

Held on August 16 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas, the competition is a key part of TexSom, an annual wine-education conference.  Presented by the not-for-profit organizations the Texas Sommelier Association and the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, TexSom is the only event of its kind in the United States.  Since its inception in 2005, it has attracted more than 1,200 wine professionals from across the United States, and more than 120 Texas sommeliers have competed.  The speakers and judges constitute a who’s who list of the nation’s top wine professionals:  Master Sommeliers (MS), Certified Wine Educators (CWE), one Master of Wine (MW) and other respected wine educators. 

In addition to being dubbed “Texas’ Best Sommelier,” Rodil received a scholarship of $2,000 and round-trip airfare from the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation to be used for a Court of Master Sommeliers certification program.  Additionally, she received scholarships the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and Society of Wine Educators.  Upon receiving the award, Rodil expressed sincere thanks to her mentors and looked to the future.  “I have so much more to do as I continue down this career path,” she said.  

Texas’ Best Sommelier 2009 Winners
and TexSom Conference Details

Anibal Calcagno from Vic and Anthony’s Steakhouse in Houston landed second place, and Jonathan Honefenger of Tony’s in Houston received third place.  Both received a $1,000 scholarship.

Despite a down economy, TexSom organizers drew larger crowds than ever.  Students traveled from as far away as Washington and Georgia to attend the classes, according to Master Sommelier Drew Hendricks, one of the conference’s founders.  “TexSom is a unique opportunity for serious wine professionals and wine aficianados alike to further their learning and network with like-minded people,” Drew says.  “We initially organized this as an event to serve our local community, but now the word is out.”  Nonetheless, he says the Texas’ Best Sommelier Competition will remain limited to Texas residents only.  Next year’s conference will be held on August 15th and 16th, again at the Four Seasons Hotel Resort and Club in Las Colinas in Irving.

Highlights of this year’s lineup including courses and tastings with Fred Dame MS, President of the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation; Guy Stout MS, Education Director for Southern/Glazer’s Distributors; and Charles Curtis MW, Head of Wine Sales for Christie’s– North America.  The conference also brought in high-profile educators such as Richard Betts MS; Chris Blanchard MS; Brian Cronin MS; Fernando DeLuna CWE; Laura DePasquale MS; Ken Fredrickson MS; David Glancy MS, CWE; Keith Goldston MS; Greg Harrington MS; Drew Hendricks MS, CWE; Geoff Kruth MS; Reggie Narito MS; Larry O'Brien MS; Kevin Pike, Josh Raynolds, Paul Roberts MS; James Tidwell MS, CWE; and Brett Zimmerman MS.  Many of these instructors also participated as judges in the competition. 

The TexSom Conference Background

TexSom and the Texas’ Best Sommelier Competition was founded by James Tidwell MS, CWE, Sommelier at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas; Drew Hendricks MS, CWE, Director of Beverage Education for Pappas Restaurants in Houston; and Guy Stout MS, Education Director for Southern/Glazer’s Distributors.
The event is made possible by the generous support of many sponsors, with scholarships provided by the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation.  Sponsors include:  (Platinum-level) Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Republic National Distributing Company, Southern/Glazer’s Distributors and Turn Key Events; (Gold-level) Aqua Panna, San Pellegrino and Texas Department of Agriculture; (Silver level), Banfi Vintners, Old Bridge Cellars, Gambrinus, Broadbent Selections, Palm Bay International, NegociantsUSA, Constellation Brands, and Moet-Hennessy USA.

The Texas Sommelier Association Background

The Texas Sommelier Association is a trade association comprised of Texas wine professionals. The Association promotes professional wine service standards, outlines paths for further wine education and certification, and raises public awareness about the professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. The organization sponsors the “Texas’ Best Sommelier” competition, with the winner being awarded scholarships for professional certification courses.  This competition is held behind the scenes during the TexSom conference.

The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Background

The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas was established to connect its members and the general public with the value, creativity and craftsmanship inherently present in the culinary and viticulture arts. This mission is fulfilled by funding grants, scholarships and research aimed at elevating the quality, awareness and enjoyment of good food and fine wine as well as hosting education and social events that enhance the quality of life for members and communities. These programs offer unique opportunities to enrich the minds and palates of guests, who in turn can relate their experience with friends sharing common interests.  For more information, visit www.winefoodfoundation.org.