Starting Sept. 24, Coury Hospitality will roll out the third season of its Somm Smackdown tournament at four of its hotels in Texas, Indiana and Oklahoma. The competition pits five Master Sommeliers against each other in a series of five‑course wine‑pairing battles, but unlike traditional wine dinners, the judges are not critics – they are the hotel guests.
How the tournament works
Each round features two Master Sommeliers who independently select a wine for every course on a chef‑crafted menu. Guests receive both wines side‑by‑side, listen to each sommelier explain the rationale behind the pick, and then vote for the pairing they prefer. The winner of each round advances, with the final champion crowned after a showdown in Grapevine, Texas, on Oct. 30.
Local venues and menus
At Hotel Carmichael in Carmel, Indiana, executive chef Chris Coorts has designed a menu that highlights Indiana ingredients, including sweet corn velouté with cranberry‑bean succotash and bison with butternut squash and blackberry. In Oklahoma City, The National’s Great Hall will host its round amid historic architecture, while Hotel Vin Rogers in Rogers, Arkansas, will stage the semifinal on Oct. 8.
The opening round on Sept. 24 will feature Emily Pickral versus Larry O’Brien at Hotel Carmichael and David Reuss versus Michael Jordan at The National. Winners move on to the Arkansas venue, and the ultimate victor will challenge reigning champion Jack Mason in Grapevine.
Why the guest‑driven format matters
Tom Santora, chief commercial officer for Coury Hospitality, says the format is designed to make fine wine approachable. “We’ve all been to wine dinners where someone tells you what you’re supposed to taste. Somm Smackdown turns that idea upside down. Two Master Sommeliers put their reputations on the line, the guests taste both pairings, and the guests decide who’s right,” Santora explained.
By letting diners vote, the event emphasizes personal palate over expert authority, encouraging a broader audience to engage with wine culture without feeling intimidated.
Growth from a single hotel
The tournament began three years ago at Hotel Vin in Grapevine, Texas, as a single‑venue event. Its expansion to four hotels across three states reflects a growing appetite for interactive, experience‑focused hospitality. Santora adds, “Four hotels, three rounds and one champion. For us, that’s what hospitality should be – give people a reason to come into the hotel even when they aren’t spending the night.”
What to expect
Attendees can look forward to themed entrances, an emcee, and literal scorecards that track votes. The competition blends the excitement of a sports bracket with the sophistication of fine dining, offering a unique night out for couples, culinary travelers, and local wine enthusiasts alike.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply enjoy a good glass of wine with dinner, Somm Smackdown promises a lively, democratic tasting experience that puts the power of the palate in the hands of the crowd.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
