Austin

from ARBOR Winter Spring 2020

by Knights of the Vine

FICB International Congress ~ REPORT

Robyn Pesce & Christopher Burnett Robyn Pesce & Christopher Burnett

Dr. William Deaton & Cecilia Neuhuas-Deaton Dr. William Deaton & Cecilia Neuhuas-Deaton

A High-Rise Good Time by Forrest Preece, Master Scribe

Almost eighty Knights, Gentle Ladies, and invited guests of the Austin chapter gathered on Tuesday, September 24th in the new downtown high rise condominium building Fifth and West to enjoy a dazzling party. It was a perfect night and the party room and pool deck, stationed on the sixth floor of the 39-story tower, provided sweeping views. Knight John and Gentle Lady Marcy Melanson, who live in the building, were the party hosts. Conversations among the guests were lively. Many guests were sharing stories about their summer travels and their plans for the upcoming social season. Everyone in attendance enjoyed themselves, the food and the wine.

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Rose Betty Williams, Master de Partis, did her usual wonderful job of providing a buffet of delicious food, which was catered by The Social Table Events, operated by Veronica Bright and Chef Adam Wetherington. Newly named Cellar Master Chris Hightower saw to it that an ample supply of carefully selected wine was served. The compliments from the guests reflected the excellence of their efforts.

Midway through the event, Master Commander Buckner Hightower made remarks to the crowd about how delighted he was with the ambience of the party room and deck. He also described the slate of parties for 2019-2020.

L to R John & Marcy Melanson with Allan & Rose Betty Williams

L to R Guests join J. Buckner and Chris Hightower

In Memoriam Supreme Knight Larry Peel

John “Larry” Peel, Supreme Knight and co-founder of the Austin Chapter of Knights of the Vine, died at the age of 86 in his home on December 17, 2019. His wife Deborah was by his side when he passed. They had been married for 39 years.

To say that Larry was a force in the Austin wine, cultural, and multi-family development scene is an understatement. His booming laugh, direct manner, formidable intelligence, and quick wit made him a larger-than-life presence.

In 1999 Larry, along with Ed and Susan Auler, founded the Austin Chapter of Knights of the Vine. To help the chapter thrive, he supplied space in his cellar to store its wine and he provided administrative support from his staff to oversee the chapter’s operation. His business acumen, wine knowledge, and good humor at cadre meetings were essential to the chapter’s success. It should not go unmentioned that Larry supported Austin’s growing and robust sommelier community by donating wine selflessly to fellow aficionado Brian Owens’ Salons. The Salons were designed to give young ‘somms’ access to experiencing and learning about rare vintages and varietals of wine.

He was also known as Austin’s most environmentally responsible developer of multi-family home projects. During his career, he received more than a dozen awards for combining the construction of livable communities with respect for the environment.

At the next KOV event following Larry’s passing, Master Commander Buckner Hightower called on the guests to observe a moment of silence for Larry. He will be missed.

Larry’s leadership and generosity helped numerous Austin nonprofits, such as KLRU-TV (Austin’s PBS station), St. David’s Community Foundation, Austin Opera, the Hill Country Conservancy, Austin Smiles, Safe Place, and HeartGift. Also, many charities benefitted from dinners cooked tableside by celebrity chefs in his spacious wine cellar, which stored one of most extensive collections in Texas.

More than thirty years ago, he co-founded the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, began the Rare and Fine Wine Auction and then the Wine and Food Foundation. Through his generosity, he was able to combine two of his passions when he made KLRU-TV a major beneficiary of funds raised at the Wine and Food Foundation auction.

At the Austin Chapter’s 2017 Assemblage, Master Commander Jerry Gatlin addresses Larry Peel during his elevation to Supreme Knight as Larry’s wife, Dr. Deborah Peel, looks on.

Tuesday, October 29th was a chilly day in Austin, which is news in itself. But that was just more reason for around 70 Knights, Gentle Ladies and guests to gather in warm fellowship in the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum. It was a beautiful night that blended art, wine and food. Located near Zilker Park, home of the legendary Barton Springs, the Umlauf Garden has a permanent and extensive collection of sculpture by the late Charles Umlauf, a nationally known sculptor who was also a professor at the University of Texas at Austin for four decades. (One of his favorite sculpting subjects was an art student at the university named Farrah Fawcett.) Party at Umlauf Sculpture Gardens & Museum Story by Forrest Preece • Photos by Charles Quinn Photography

As the guests filtered in, they were served passed hors d’oeuvres and a Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve. Before long the conversations turned to the upcoming local elections and other matters such as the national political scene, new restaurants opening around Austin, and holiday plans. Many of the revelers took the opportunity to wander the gorgeously landscaped grounds at the sculpture center and admire the artwork embedded among the greenery. Travis Lightfoot and Gerald Stone

Soon after the elaborate buffet designed by Master des Partis Rose Betty Williams was opened, to the enjoyment of everyone in attendance. The wines from Cellar Master Chris Hightower were a perfect accompaniment to the food and delighted the discriminating palates in the crowd.

Near the end of the evening, Buckner Hightower, Master Commander, introduced Sarah Story, the executive director of the Umlauf Center. She gave a welcome to the KOV party-goers and then described upcoming activities that the center will be hosting. It was a lovely evening that left many of the guests in a festive mood – a perfect way to start the holiday season.

Andrew Heller, Eddie Butler, Mary Ann Heller Master Commander Buckner Hightower looks on as Executive Director Sarah Story tells the party guests about the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum