Nice donates 30% of sales “Survivor Monkey” Zinfandel to Periwinkle
HOUSTON, October 25, 2023 – Houston’s Nice Winery has just released its latest wine benefiting The Periwinkle Foundation, with the label designed by Payton, a 10-year-old pediatric cancer patient at Texas Children’s Hospital through Periwinkle Arts in Medicine’s Making A Mark® program. The new wine for 2023-2024 is called “Survivor Monkey” and is a 100% Zinfandel from fruit sourced from a sustainably farmed, family-owned estate within Sonoma Valley. Nice Winery will donate 30% of the proceeds from the sale of each $60 bottle of wine back to The Periwinkle Foundation.
For years, The Periwinkle Foundation has hosted the Iron Sommelier competitions, uncovering an enthusiastic passion for wine among its supporters. Building on this success, Periwinkle teamed up with Nice Winey to create a wine that would honor the mission of Periwinkle and impress the sophisticated pallets of Periwinkle’s most ardent supporters.
Each year, a different red wine is chosen featuring the art of one of the patients in the Making A Mark® program. Payton’s “Survivor Monkey” design captured the imagination of this year’s judges and adds a whimsical touch to each bottle of wine.
“Our partnership with Nice Winery has truly been a magical experience,” says Doug Suggitt, Executive Director of The Periwinkle Foundation. “It’s a joy to work with such charity-minded business owners like Ian and Ryan, who have embraced Periwinkle. We appreciate their generosity in giving back a portion of the wine sales to support our camps and arts programs, as well as honoring one of our young artists.”
Suggitt notes that Periwinkle board members, staff and friends, along with Nice Winery stakeholders, enjoyed a recent “release party” where the young artist and her parents got to mix and mingle with guests. Guests over age 21 were able to sample “Survivor Monkey” with a delicious spread of food that paired well with the Zinfandel.
Nice Winery, located in Spring Branch at 10520 Westview Dr., is cultivated by Houston natives: Le Cordon Bleu-trained chefs and certified sommeliers Ryan Levy and Ian Eastveld. At the winery, customers will find sustainably-farmed wines made at family-owned vineyards without the use of chemicals or additives. The tastings are sit-down affairs focused on wine education, with highly qualified staff guiding guests through wine flavors, processes and food pairings.
Sonoma Valley is a sub-region within Sonoma County, just southeast of the Russian River Valley. After 18 months in French Oak barrels, this Zinfandel, now named Survivor Monkey, exhibits aromas of Christmas spice, cardamom, cinnamon, and cedar. Vibrant blackberry notes are layered with plums, violets, and roses. This wine does not require decanting and will age gracefully for the next five years.
The Periwinkle Foundation develops programs that positively impact the lives of children, young adults and families who are challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Periwinkle’s mission is realized through a continuum of camps, arts, and long-term survivor programs which accompany a child and their family from diagnosis through treatment, and into remission.
For more information about The Periwinkle Foundation, please visit www.periwinklefoundation.org.
Photo credit: Larry Geiger
ABOUT The Periwinkle Foundation
The Periwinkle Foundation develops and provides programs that positively change the lives of children, young adults and families who are challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and are cared for at Texas Children’s Hospital. Funds raised through Periwinkle Kickball Classic help support the Periwinkle Camps, Arts and Survivor Programs that serve more than 14,000 children, teens and families annually. This is made possible by a collaborative community of 20,000 supporters.
ABOUT Nice Winery
Winemaker and Foodie super duo Ryan Levy and Ian Eastveld of Nice Winery are Certified Sommeliers, wine educators, and Le Cordon Bleu trained chefs. Their hand crafted, boutique wines are poured in top restaurants and have won gold medals in internationally recognized wine competitions. Ryan and Ian have built their epicurean pedigree while studying in Paris, France, directing culinary education for Viking, teaching cuisine to thousands of students at Central Market, and operating their restaurant and catering companies, Republic and Nuance. They make their wines from estate vineyards in Texas, Argentina, and California.
Nice Winery is located in the Spring Branch area of Houston. Visit www.nicewines.com for more information.
