The Clubs at Houston Oaks hosted its largest annual food and wine extravaganza on Saturday, February 12 at the picturesque, countryside property in Hockley, TX. It was a very chilly day, actually anniversaring last year’s event which was held on a day of the “big freeze” in Texas. Proves that true wine lovers will endure any temps to taste the many splendid choices at this select wine event. After attending this very fun and informative event for my first go, I definitely see why the crowd was there…..besides nothing better on a very cold day than a glass of red wine.
In fact, more than 550 of us braved the cold and fierce winds to enjoy over 350 wines from 65 wine companies who visited from California and Oregon, as well as culinary offerings that included a VIP experience from Houston-based Danish chef Soren Pederson and food stations from the Houston Oaks’ chef Nick Zaputil. The event also featured wine seminars led by Master Sommeliers Jack Mason, who presented at various seminars, and Guy Stout, who poured his Stout Family Wine of Napa Valley. Houston Oaks saw a 35% increase in attendance, despite Covid and the chilly weather, and many traveled from as far as California to attend. Some of the hottest commodities shopped were those of Serenity Knives, Lakonia Olive Oils, and various wine accessories.
One Houston Oaks owner, Marci Alvis, said she conceived the idea of a wine and food event after they began a wine program for members in 2015.
“The wine program grew very fast,” Marci said, “and after we converted the former bomb shelter into a wine facility, it made sense to throw a big wine and food event.”
After attending other premiere wine events (Santa Fe Chile and Wine Fest, Premiere Napa Valley, and Aspen Food & Wine Classic), in 2019, Marci determined that they could do this. She contacted Stephanie Baird, owner of Journey Into Wine, who had been instrumental in orchestrating the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoTM Roundup and Best Bites wine and food event, and six months later they hosted their inaugural event on Valentine’s weekend Feb 13, 2020. The event was a big hit.
“At our first Houston Oaks Wine & Food Classic with 50 wine vendors,” Marci remembered, “several wineries asked why they hadn’t gotten the invitation before!” According to Marci, this year’s event was the most successful yet. “We have doubled attendance in spite of the Covid years. We look forward to growing this event further as it is open to the public now.”
Wine was served in three locations along the beautiful grounds: Wine Market Way, a Hilltop Tasting Tent, and Bunker 55, an underground bomb shelter built in 1961 and converted into an upscale wine cave facility for dinners, parties, and wine storage for Club members. Attendees had an opportunity to purchase wines onsite from ready-to-drink now to cellar-worthy collectibles. All received a souvenir Riedel wine tasting glass.
The Clubs at Houston Oaks, first developed by the Tenneco Oil and Gas Company as a recreational getaway, is a private sporting club community tucked away in Hockley and situated on nearly 1,000 acres of unspoiled Texas countryside with a championship golf course, a maze of 17 lakes, various lodging accommodations, and eight special interest clubs, including a wine club.
Next year’s event will be held on February 11, 2023 with plans to repeat the new VIP Experience and extend festival events to Friday.
For more information on the Clubs at Houston Oaks, visit www.houstonoaks.com
professional photos by Emily Jaschke, iphotos by RPactor