H-E-B Wine Walk to Cap Winederful Season of Wine and Food ; Platinum Wine Vault 2026 at Bayway Cadillac Topped September

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Woodlands Wine & Food Week Founder Constance McDerby, always sends off the Wine and Food Week in October coming on the 24th with a cool reminder that the festivities will return next year. Yet it was the ‘Platinum Wine Vault’ at the Bayway Cadillac of The Woodlands on September 18th, that pleased palates with wonderful selections of wine and prime selections from fine restaurants from the area that put smiles on many faces. Every year Bayway owners Darryl & Linda Wischnewsky graciously provide their showroom floor for food and wine displays that the attendees love, and it is a wonderful, or some say ‘winederful’ setting, for an incredible evening of samples that were devoured and sips that were savored to complete enjoyment. Event sponsor H-E-B had their own kitchens in the game and yearly H-E-B leads the charge of sponsors to Wine & Food Week events all over The Woodlands. They are one of the largest sellers of wines in the area, and have vino experts at each store to guide customers to the right wine for the right occasion.

The hundreds of visitors to the showroom were treated to a special night with countless wines and select treats from some of the best restaurants in The Woodlands and beyond.

Wine and Food enthusiasts come from all over the region to take advantage of an enormous selection of wines with stations that specialized in Pinot Noir, Merlot, Red, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc., along with a dessert wine station, paired with some nice sweet selections just feet away.

Each year there are restaurants that bring their A-games with offerings that can sell a customer for life. Beef seemed to be a consistent theme amongst some restaurants, either matched with mashed potatoes, polenta, or even in a surprise package. BARI Ristorante, which opened their second location in The Woodlands on Waterway Avenue, and Chef Marcelo Minzz brought an incredible Beef Short-Rib Stuffed Ravioli with a wonderful creamed sauce along with truffle shavings, which truly impressed. Mastro’s The Woodlands offered a Cabernet Marinated Beef Short Rib alongside a Loaded Mini Baked Potato, which was an exceptional beef and potato combination, with the influence of the wine creating an awesome glaze accompanied by a sweet and melt-a-way meat from the short rib. Sal-e-Brasa’s Brazilian Shepherd’s Pie, made with their premium ground beef, potato mash, and cheese, and was a remarkable combination of flavors.

’rise,’ the souffle and wine bistro, featured a wonderful piped salmon in a puff pastry cup, and was absolutely delicious. North Italia, presented with their Braised Short-Rib Wagyu, with polenta, and garlic hinted bread crumbs, which was also a home run when paired with the Gainey Estate Sauvignon Blanc, making one think of meat candy. Beautifully done.

Matthew Willis, a chocolatier from San Antonio was on hand to sweeten tooths, and he did exactly that with his confectionary talents. He owns The Swiss Chocolate Shoppe, and after trying the Taylor Fladgate 10 Yr Tawny Porto with its smooth, sweet, and nutty flavor, which once it touches your palate it screams for chocolate madness. Willis recommended his 72% Costa Rica - Dark cacao, and it was pure heaven with the TF 10Y TP, and with 20, 30, and 40 year bottles on the market, it just elevates the level of enjoyment.

The young Franklin Wines, from East Texas, revealed their stand out inaugural year 2022 Texas Tannant, and has won some impressive awards since its recent release. The bold, rich berry and plum notes allow for wonderful mouthfeel on the palate, and it also pairs well with dessert. Also, Truly Greek, a retailer in Houston, brought in a Greek wine from the Peloponneus Islands, Lexi’s ‘Kidonitsa,’ a light, crisp, citrusy wine, with a hint of dryness, and best enjoyed with Mediterranean flavors, which the store also sources from Greece.

As Constance McDerby’s Wine & Food Week, nears the end of its 22nd year, she and her team are on automatic when it comes to providing absolute top notch enjoyment amongst the Wine Lovers and Foodies in the area. And there is still one more event to go, with the H-E-B Wine Walk this October. See you at The Woodlands Resort!!

Alcohol Disclaimer: This column is intended for entertainment purposes only. Please drink responsibly, not just for yourself, but for others around you.

The 22nd annual H-E-B Wine Walk! will be October 24th at The Woodlands Resort, 4-7pm.

For info and tickets: tickets.wineandfoodweek.com/p/buy-tickets