score big

Austinites score a ton of fun at CultureMap's first-ever Tailgate party

Austin's biggest sports fans partied overtime at CultureMap's newest signature event, The Tailgate.

Held at Distribution Hall on November 3, the celebration of all things sports attracted a crowd ready to have some game day fun.

And they certainly didn't go hungry. Past CultureMap Tastemaker Awards winners and nominees brought snacks galore, from sliders to grilled corn to chicken wings and more.

Guests could vote for their favorite munchies, leading to San Antonio's The Jerk Shack taking home the trophy for their Caribbean ceviche and rum raisin brownie bites. Bratwurst with beer onions from Koko's Bavarian and cookies and milk from Mare Made cookies also earned raves. Drool over a full list of the snacks here.

Those looking to scoop up ideas for their next watch party could sample catering from Whole Foods Market, then walk away with a stadium-approved clear backpack filled with snacks, samples, and coupons for future purchases.

No one's cup ran dry, thanks to bars stocked with Real Ale Brewing Co. beers, Austin Cocktails, and specialty drinks featuring Dripping Springs Vodka and Brothers Bond Bourbon.

Three previous Tastemaker Awards Brewery of the Year winners were serving up suds samples to thirsty tailgaters: Meanwhile Brewing, Dorcol Distilling & Brewing Co., and Blue Owl Brewing.

In between bites and sips, guests browsed a silent auction stuffed with valuable sports memorabilia, with a portion of proceeds benefitting our nonprofit partners.

Attendees could also learn more about and donate to each of the event's nonprofit partners.

Save Muny co-chair Scotty Sayers, board member Ed Clements, and local golf professional Joe Beck were talking all things golf for Save Muny (The Muny Conservancy). As the first public course in the South to racially desegregate, Lions Municipal Golf Course is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Muny Conservancy was created in 2019 to help permanently preserve and improve this iconic Austin recreational green space, and to help make sure all 141 acres are saved for future generations to enjoy, with affordable golf, public accessibility, the civil rights history of the site, and promotion of the game in mind.

Former Longhorn legend Derrick Johnson signed autographs and posed for pics in support of his foundation, Defend the Dream. Started in 2012, the foundation connects low-income and inner city youths with better resources and opportunities. Recently, the foundation presented Austin’s first Discovery Den to Oak Springs Elementary School. Defend the Dream has been installing Discovery Dens in other schools for years, transforming school library spaces into well-stocked, football-themed reading areas with bright colors and lots of seating.

Photo by Guillermo Rosas

Spencer McGee, Amy Cole

Spotted among the sea of jerseys were David Lyne, Amber Hart-Lyne, Ashley Nwonuma, Dominique McLeggan, Gina Dhaddey, Dom Powel, Amy Cole, Spencer McGee, Lauren Glanzer, Dana Plumpe, Richie and Carlie Berry, and Sabrina and Ricardo Cortez.

sports fundraisers

Taste of 2025

Austin's Wine & Food Foundation announces 3 big events for 2025

Photo by Erica Wilkins Photography

Theses Wine & Food Foundation events raise funds for local initiatives.

Austin's food scene is booming, but smaller businesses could always use support. The Wine & Food Foundation is one of Austin's leading industry protectors, and it's just announced three events to help support its mission over the next year.

The three events — Big Reds and Bubbles, Toast of Texas, and the Rare & Fine Wine Auction Gala — are spread out between March and November of 2025, and all offer something a bit different.

They'll all benefit the Wine & Food Foundation and, by extension, the local organizations it supports. Those include Keep Austin Fed, which diverts food surpluses from grocery stores, catered events, and other sites of professional food service; and Sustainable Food Center, which helps Texans access healthy food through SNAP and WIC incentives, hosts farmers markets, connects farmers with resources, and more. The Wine & Food Foundation also offers scholarships for hospitality professionals.

Big Reds and Bubbles, held Friday, March 28, will bring together more than 100 red and sparkling wines for a tasting event. In addition to comparing wines back-to-back, guests will get to try them with bites from popular Austin restaurants to discover interesting new pairings. They'll also get to dress to impress and see the new LZR space — formerly La Zona Rosa, an old Austin music venue that had its last official performance in 2013.

Next up is Toast of Texas on June 8. This is another tasting event that focuses instead on 20 local wineries. The food menu at this event is also more specific, featuring local barbecue and paella, among other local tastes. It'll be located at Assembly Hall, an event space on East 7th Street adjacent to the East Austin Hotel.

Finally, there's the premier event: the Rare & Fine Wine Auction Gala on November 8. This is a big fundraising opportunity not just because of potentially high auction tickets, but the chance to experience something truly out of the ordinary for the wine industry. Guests will also enjoy "an elegant dinner" according to the press release and wines by a featured maker. It'll all happen at the JW Marriott Austin.

The release counts more than 50 other events slated for the year, so there are plenty more opportunities between the big three. Some of these include wine tasting courses, which will be available again soon.

wine tasting small businesses wineries nonprofits galas