Houston Symphony Wine Dinner & Collector’s Auction’s “Joie de Vivre” Brought Joy of Life to All Who Attended … For Several Hours at Least!

Houston Symphony Wine Dinner & Collector’s Auction’s “Joie de Vivre” Brought Joy of Life to All Who Attended … For Several Hours at Least!

Houston Symphony was the big winner once again with its lavish and well-attended annual Wine Dinner & Collector’s Auction. More than 215 of our city’s well-heeled were treated to a multi-course meal, paired with wines thoughtfully selected by John & Lindy Rydman and Lisa Rydman of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. This limited capacity, socially distanced evening at The Astorian raised over $550,000 for the Symphony’s Education and Community Engagement Programming. Standing ovations go to Chairpersons Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Honorary Chairs Vicki West and Ralph Burch and Collector’s Auction Chair Bob Weiner.

Once guests’ temperatures were taken and cleared to enter the ballroom, the silent auction items were visibly highlighted within the elegant space. In view, were many coveted items including: a five-day, four-night stay for two at Benovia Winery’s Cottage in Napa Valley; several exquisite wines, a 17-year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Stags Leap District (2011, 2012, 2013) and many others. An enticing 100-point wine raffle was created by Robert Parker, which consisted of twelve special wines all rated 100-points.

Hats off to the Symphony team and the venue for creating an event that complied with all the health and safety protocols, had a low to no-touch experience and made guests feel comfortably safe, as our city opens back up slowly.

Socially present (not mentioned previously): John Mangum, Eric Lindsay, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Bobbie Nau, Robin Angly and Miles Smith, Alan and Elizabeth Stein, Fran Fawcett Peterson, Beth Wolff, Cheryl Byington, Leslie Siller, Janet Clark, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor and Robert Sakowitz.