Houston Symphony’s Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction
The Houston Symphony’s Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction is one of the most highly anticipated events of the spring gala season. This year’s event, which took place on May 2, was a sold-out affair that drew a crowd of 365 stylish guests to Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts.
A Night of Fine Wine and Lavish Decor
The evening was a revelry worthy of Dionysus himself, with fine wine, lavish décor, and a five-course feast awaiting the guests. The grand entrance at Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts was the perfect setting for a night of indulgence and elegance. Gala chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli, proud heirs of the famed Gabbanelli accordion family, led the charge, joined by Jack Matzer, whose stewardship of the collector’s auction helped orchestrate the evening’s finale.
Raising Funds for a Good Cause
The evening’s festivities raised more than $900,000 for the symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives, which bring music to schools, hospitals, and underserved venues. The foyer buzzed with energy as guests sipped champagne and circled the silent auction, eyes gleaming at the fabulousness of oenophilic riches. Standout lots included six vintage bottles of Red Bordeaux, two bottles of 1982 Château Margaux, and a week-long Tuscan getaway.
A Sumptuous Roman Mirage
At the dinner hour, the scene shifted dramatically as guests were ushered onto the Jones Hall stage, transformed by The Events Company into a sumptuous Roman mirage. Towering candelabras crowned with coral and ruby blooms stood sentry over lace-red linens strewn with votives, pomegranates, and overflowing grapes. Four statues, wreathed in greenery, added a mythic flair—as if Bacchus himself might pop out to pour the next glass.
A Culinary Masterpiece
Culinary star chef Danny Trace of Potente crafted an ambitious five-course menu that married elegance and indulgence. A standout starter of heirloom tomato and whipped burrata with cucumber ribbons gave way to Potente’s signature black truffle pasta, then diver scallops with sweet corn risotto and a show-stealing veal perigeux with goat cheese polenta. Dessert was a double chocolate cake kissed with Chambord and crowned with caramel crunch pearls.
Wine Pairings and Master Sommeliers
Wine pairings, curated by John and Lindy Rydman and Lisa Rydman Lindsey of Spec’s Wines, were introduced by master sommelier Steven McDonald, the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse wine expert who earned the sommelier award at the 2024 Michelin Guide Texas ceremony. Guests clinked, tasted, nodded in approval — oenophiles united in appreciation.
A Stylish Crowd
Among those spotted in the stylish crowd were Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Janet Clark, Gary Ginstling and Margaret Lederer, Joan and Robert Duff, Margaret Alkek Williams, Barbara Burger, Lydia Gold, Quentin and Aerin Smith, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, Mary Lynn Marks, Bob Weiner, Robert Sakowitz, David Peavy and Stephen McCauley, Aggie Foster and Steve Simon, Virginia Clark, Brigette Kalai, Farida Abjani, Jennifer and Scott Allison, Carey Kirkpatrick, Ken and Mady Kades, and Sippi and Ajay Khurana.
Conclusion
The Houston Symphony’s Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction was a night to remember, with its perfect blend of fine wine, lavish décor, and culinary masterpieces. The event raised a significant amount of money for a good cause, and the stylish crowd in attendance made it a truly unforgettable evening. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, a foodie, or just someone who appreciates the finer things in life, this event had something for everyone.
