Editor’s Note: After a very concentrated week at the amazing Post Oak Hotel, this December when my brother, Steve and Tilman Fertitta collaborated on a week of Supper Club dining and entertainment, I grew a great appreciation for this fabulous 5-star hotel and many of the amazing team that are part of the day-to-day operations that keeps it all going. I always loved my quick visits to the hotel for Galas, Luncheons and other special events, it was not until this expanded time there that I grew such an appreciation for this amazing destination and all of the people that are part of it, starting with the Fertittas and on through the staff there. I know that this will be a new favorite for many of us wine lovers around town……
Tilman Fertitta’s Post Oak Hotel has opened a brand new wine concept, Stella’s Wine Bar, located next to the 29 North retail concept. Stella’s is Houston’s newest wine destination offering a contemporary yet rustic atmosphere where Houstonians and Hotel guests can unwind and enjoy an extensive selection of reds, whites, rosès, and sparkling wines alongside an array of distinguished charcuteries, lite bites, and shareables.
A 12-foot chalkboard column provides all of Stella’s daily varieties like Grenache, Petit Verdot, Malvista, Pint Meuniere, Barberra, Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet-Sauvignon and much more. For advanced connoisseurs, Stella’s Wine Bar can access the award-winning Cellar which boasts more than $5 million worth of inventory from over 25 countries. The hotel’s esteemed Master and Advanced sommelier team is also available to help determine guests’ preferred choices.
With more than 35 years of experience, Master Sommelier Keith Goldston leads the hotel’s wine program and thoughtfully selected every label on the menu. A Napa Valley-native, Goldston passed the wine industry’s most challenging and highest-certification exam in 2001 and became the 47th Master Sommelier in the Americas. He serves on the Board for the Court of Master Sommeliers and has judged countless international wine competitions.
“This concept offers something for both casual wine enthusiasts and serious oenophiles,” said Goldston. “The menu embodies more than 30 wine-producing regions that guests can experience through flights or explore over 60 vintages by the glass. With more than 35,000 selections, the options are near limitless.”
Advanced Sommelier Julie Dalton serves as Stella’s Wine Director. Dalton was previously Mastro’s Steakhouse Wine Director and also won Houston’s Iron Sommelier in 2018. “No other wine concept in Houston offers our level of talent,” said Dalton. “The combination of knowledge and approachability from our sommelier team is what makes us a unique destination.”
The food menu was artfully curated by the property’s award-winning Executive Chef Jean Luc Royere. Guests can choose from a variety of charcuterie selections like House Made Duck Rillettes and Spanish Chorizo along with a number of cheeses such as Meredith Australian Goat, Truffle Gouda Artikaas, and Mountain Maple Brie. Mouth-watering small bites and shareables include palette-forward Marinated Mediterranean Olives, Fig & Gorgonzola Prosciutto Flatbread, and Beef & Bacon Jam Sliders.
Located in the hotel adjacent to its 29o North retail boutique and steps away from Mastro’s Steakhouse and Willie G’s Seafood, Stella’s Wine Bar embodies an elegant, provincial setting with white marble-top tables and distressed walnut armchairs. Floor-to-ceiling wine racks and wall-to-wall climate-controlled refrigeration helps store more than 3,500 bottles at the most-desired temperatures. The stunning outdoor patio features an expansive, open-air pergola with built-in heaters and a 13-foot, towering olive tree. Reclaimed, solid-oak wine barrels are throughout the patio serving as dining tables for guests to take in Houston’s urban skyline.
The 1,800-square-foot wine lounge can be reserved for indoor and outdoor private events. To book an event or make reservations, please call 346.227.5174.
Stella’s Wine Bar is named after the Fertitta Family’s beloved pet pig, Stella. Exemplary of the new concept, pigs are known for its great intelligence, inquisitiveness, and an affinity for the social enjoyment of others.
Stella’s Wine Bar remains open Monday-Thursday 4:00pm-Midnight, Friday and Saturday 11:30am-Midnight, and Sundays 11:30am-10:00pm. Visit thepostoak.com for more information.
