Tom and Lisa Perini of Perini Ranch Steakhouse – a James Beard Award-winning, internationally acclaimed Texas destination restaurant – alongside Ashley Parker Snider of Fess Parker Winery and Dr. Richard Becker of Becker Vineyards, announced today that they will be hosting this year’s Buffalo Gap Wine and Food Summit on Saturday, April 24, 2021. The event will be socially distanced in outdoor tents and will take place in Buffalo Gap, Texas, at Perini Ranch.
Founded in 2004 by Tom Perini, the late Fess Parker of Fess Parker Winery & Vineyards, and Dr. Richard Becker of Becker Vineyards, the Buffalo Gap Wine and Food Summit is a non-profit organization celebrating the very best in fine food and wine, with a mission to cultivate appreciation through education and industry discussion. Over the years, the event has attracted countless notable chefs and wine makers, including “Founding Fathers” of Southwest cuisine Stephen Pyles and Dean Fearing, Matthew McCallister of Homewood in Dallas, celebrity chef and restaurateur Francis Mallmann, and world-renowned chef and TV personality Jacques Pepin, to name just a few.
Traditionally, the summit has been a three-day event, but this year’s Buffalo Gap Wine and Food Summit presents “Le Petit Sommet” on April 24th, followed by a “Totally Texas” activation slated for October 23rd, 2021 (more details to follow). To kick off the socially-distanced festivities in April, guests will experience “a day in Burgundy” filled with the best in wine, food, guest speakers, chefs, and more, moderated by Burgundy expert and founder of Bertrand’s Wines, Bertrand Leulliette.
The day will begin with a seminar and tasting of a selection of Old World and New World pinot noir and chardonnay, specially curated by Leulliette and acclaimed sommelier Guy Stout – one of only 260 Master Sommeliers in the world. The tasting will be followed by a California-style lunch on the ranch grounds, paired with additional Burgundy wines and surrounded by the West Texas scenery. Afterward, guests are invited to relax before dinner by exploring the town of Buffalo Gap, shopping at the Perini Ranch Country Market, or visiting the Gap Cafe.
That evening, guests will enjoy an unforgettable menu of authentic French cuisine by Michelin Star Chef Bruno Davaillon, served alongside both Old and New World Burgundy pinot noir and chardonnay. Chef Davaillon, who has also been nominated by the James Beard Awards as “Best Southwest Chef,” was born and raised in the Loire Valley of France and discovered his love of cooking by watching his aunt prepare home cooked meals on the farm. Chef Davaillon currently resides in Dallas and, after an exceptional six year tenure at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, opened his award-winning restaurant Bullion in 2018.
“We are so excited to be participating in the 2021 Buffalo Gap Wine and Food Summit, and to have the opportunity to share our Sta. Rita Hills grown pinot noir and chardonnay with our friends in Texas. It doesn’t feel like springtime without a Summit!” said Snider on behalf of Fess Parker Winery.
On this year’s event, Dr. Becker of Becker Vineyards states, “Buffalo Gap is my second home. In fact, it’s very close to my real home – maybe the two are one. Who would have thought this would be the source of such wonderful food and wine pairings in Texas.”
The Perinis, Snider, and Becker are all looking forward to hosting this year’s Buffalo Gap Wine and Food Summit, as well as continuing to safely share their passion for wine and food in Texas and beyond. Tickets for the April event, which provide access to all summit activities and tastings, are $395 and will be available to purchase over the phone at 1-800-367-1721 starting on Wednesday, March 24th at 9 a.m. CT. Tickets for the October event will go on sale in September 2021.
