Raising Glasses, Raising Hope

The Women’s Fund turned up the glamour for its 10th Annual Wine Dinner, trading its traditional cozy setting for the soaring elegance of The Astorian. The atmosphere sparkled with charm—white feathers caught the candlelight, blush-toned roses overflowed from Revere bowls, and a stylish crowd gathered to sip, savor, and support a powerful cause.

Event chairs Vanessa and Chuck Ames led the evening’s festivities, which began with passed hors d’oeuvres and bubbly hosted by Amy and Rob Pierce and Alexandra Bruskoff. Guests mingled while enjoying bites like crispy artichokes, mushroom Wellington, tuna carpaccio, and beef tartare—all masterfully paired with cava. A highlight was the Madam Zero Champagne Wall, which added extra flair with surprise deBoulle gift cards and a private champagne tasting.

A lively silent auction drew competitive bids for standout packages, including a year’s worth of date nights, dazzling jewelry from Zadok’s, and a gourmet in-home dinner by chef Lena Le worthy of any culinary showdown.

Dinner unfolded in four refined courses: steelhead carpaccio with Meyer lemon sabayon paired with Texas Vermentino, wild mushroom agnolotti matched with a Russian River Pinot, charcoal-grilled filet with Tuscan red, and a decadent bittersweet chocolate tart—so exquisite it even had its own sponsor, Armine+Ambrose.

Mid-meal pop-up auctions transformed tables into spontaneous tasting rooms, where caviar and Burgundies flowed freely. When it was time to raise paddles, auctioneer Johnny Holloway of Johnny Bravo Productions kept spirits high and generosity higher. Among the hottest auction items: trips to Majorca and Napa, Rockets suite nights, and a chance to appear on Chris Shepherd’s Eat Like a Local—some so popular they sold twice.

The evening also celebrated the inaugural Toast to Resilience Class, honoring community champions for their unwavering support of Houston’s women and girls. Paulina and Jim McGrath received the Visionary Spirit Award, Gina Gaston Elie was presented the Resilient Heart Award, and Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown earned the Champions of Community Award.

By night’s end, more than 250 guests had raised an incredible $485,000—more than double last year’s total—demonstrating the powerful pairing of fine wine and meaningful philanthropy.

Notable attendees included Anne and John Clutterbuck, Ashley Sere, Meredith and Ben Marshall, Jessica and Brian Leeke, Brian Faulkner, Caroline and Matt Monday, Lisa and Charlie Meachem, Corbin Young, Craig and Kristin Kellogg, Jordan and Dylan Seff, Lisa Meacham, Kelly and Frank Hogan, George Breen, Megan and Jerry Hughes Jr., Jillian and Yuri Waldo, Erin and Kyle Cummings, Nadia Tajalli, Paula Sutton, Rania Mankarious, Laura Ward, Sarah Barrett, Shellie McBeth, Steve Jetton, Steve Mohtashami, Aliza Dutt, Danny Ward and Nancy Ames, James Calaway, Jody Merritt, Kristen Collins, Kristy Bradshaw, Laura Davenport, Mario Elie, Nene Foxhall, Roxann and Tim Neumann, and Nora Jarrard.