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The Gamba family (front row) with the Wine Forum student chairs. The Wine Forum of Oklahoma is a student-run event, and planning begins the previous fall.

In vino veritas; the 2025 Wine Forum of Oklahoma in photos

Monday, June 9, 2025

Media Contact: Stephen Howard | Director of Marketing & Communications | 405.744.4363 | stephen.howard@okstate.edu

The 2025 Wine Forum of Oklahoma celebrated global wines, culinary excellence and, most importantly — the bright future of Oklahoma State University students.

Hosted by the Wayne Hirst Center for Beverage Education at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, this year’s event welcomed over 300 distinguished guests, wine enthusiasts and culinary aficionados for a weekend of immersive educational seminars, curated wine tastings, expert cooking demonstrations and exclusive vintner dinners.

The theme was "In Vino Veritas," which means "In Wine, There is Truth." Gamba Family Vineyards and Winery took center stage as the event’s Honorary Vintner Chairs, and Chef Andrew Black, the 2023 James Beard Award winner as the best chef in the Southwest, wowed guests all weekend.

All photos were taken by Adam Luther.

Day 1

Gala Celebration
Over 300 distinguished guests sipped the world's finest wines and enjoy the meal prepared by Chef Andrew Black, the 2023 James Beard Award winner as the best chef in the Southwest.  
The evening also included a live auction, and after the final paddle was lifted, over $727,000 had been raised for student scholarships for OSU Hospitality and Tourism Management students.

 

A student waiter laughs with a patron of the Wine Forum
A student waiter laughs with a patron of the Wine Forum
A photo of an emcee speaking to the Wine Forum audience from the back of the room. Many guests are seated at the tables listening and sipping wine.
A photo of an emcee speaking to the Wine Forum audience from the back of the room. Many guests are seated at the tables listening and sipping wine.
A student waiter in a vest and tie serves the meal to a Wine Forum patron.
A student waiter in a vest and tie serves the meal to a Wine Forum patron.
A photo of the Wine Forum Gala taken from the second floor balcony. Hundreds of patrons are enjoying the evening at their individual tables.
A photo of the Wine Forum Gala taken from the second floor balcony. Hundreds of patrons are enjoying the evening at their individual tables.
Two students working the Wine Forum Gala smiling and posing together.
Two students working the Wine Forum Gala smiling and posing together.
A student bartender pouring a glass of white wine while conversing with a patron.
A student bartender pouring a glass of white wine while conversing with a patron.
The student chairs of the Wine Forum positioned vertically on a staircase. Each student is holding out their arm in order to do the "Go Pokes" hand sign.
The student chairs of the Wine Forum positioned vertically on a staircase. Each student is holding out their arm in order to do the "Go Pokes" hand sign.
Two female Wine Forum patrons smiling during a conversation while they hold wine glasses.
Two female Wine Forum patrons smiling during a conversation while they hold wine glasses.
A plant display in the shape of "WF" for Wine Forum.
A plant display in the shape of "WF" for Wine Forum.
A female Wine Forum guest stands and claps with a big smile on her face.
A female Wine Forum guest stands and claps with a big smile on her face.
Dozens of white wine glasses ready for patrons to arrive prior to the Wine Forum.
Dozens of white wine glasses ready for patrons to arrive prior to the Wine Forum.
Student chefs in orange clothing and black aprons prepare the Gala meals back stage.
Student chefs in orange clothing and black aprons prepare the Gala meals back stage.
A group of distinguished Wine Forum patrons and donors pose as a group.
A group of distinguished Wine Forum patrons and donors pose as a group.
Two smiling guests at a table clink thier glasses together in celebration.
Two smiling guests at a table clink thier glasses together in celebration.
The Wine Forum auctioneer yells into a microphone while wearing a bright pink dress.
The Wine Forum auctioneer yells into a microphone while wearing a bright pink dress.
A vintner speaks with a Wine Forum guest about his selection.
A vintner speaks with a Wine Forum guest about his selection.
Wine Forum executive student chair Sienna Lawson speaks at the podium while wearing a green dress.
Wine Forum executive student chair Sienna Lawson speaks at the podium while wearing a green dress.
Gus Gamba of Gamba Family Vinyards laughs while speaking at the podium of the Wine Forum.
Gus Gamba of Gamba Family Vinyards laughs while speaking at the podium of the Wine Forum.
OSU themed wine bottles from Gamba Family Vinyards lined up on a table.
OSU themed wine bottles from Gamba Family Vinyards lined up on a table.

Day 2

Immersive wine experiences
The second day of the Wine Forum of Oklahoma included several educational seminars, curated wine tastings, expert cooking demonstrations and an elegant grand tasting event.

 

A member of the Gamba family speaking during an educational session about their vinyard.
A member of the Gamba family speaking during an educational session about their vinyard.
Six OSU students pose in the kitchen during the preparations for the Wine Forum.
Six OSU students pose in the kitchen during the preparations for the Wine Forum.
A classroom session taking place during the 2025 Wine Forum
A classroom session taking place during the 2025 Wine Forum
A smiling man speaking into a microphone about his wine company at the Wine Forum.
A smiling man speaking into a microphone about his wine company at the Wine Forum.
OSU alum Roger Cagle asking a question during a classroom session for the Wine Forum
OSU alum Roger Cagle asking a question during a classroom session for the Wine Forum
One of the Wine Forum's biggest supporters, Bryan Close, speaks with the Wine Forum's keynote speaker.
One of the Wine Forum's biggest supporters, Bryan Close, speaks with the Wine Forum's keynote speaker.
The keynote speaker of the Wine Forum of Oklahoma speaking at the podium.
The keynote speaker of the Wine Forum of Oklahoma speaking at the podium.
A collection of corks from the Wine Forum bottles in a glass.
A collection of corks from the Wine Forum bottles in a glass.
A closeup photo of the Wine Forum logo on a chef's jacket.
A closeup photo of the Wine Forum logo on a chef's jacket.
A classroom session about wine at the Wine Forum.
A classroom session about wine at the Wine Forum.
Wine glasses are laid out for samples on top of a sheet identifying which types of wine are in each glass.
Wine glasses are laid out for samples on top of a sheet identifying which types of wine are in each glass.
Chef Andrew Black at the front of a packed room as he speaks about food-wine pairings.
Chef Andrew Black at the front of a packed room as he speaks about food-wine pairings.
A female student pours wine into sample glasses for patrons of the Wine Forum.
A female student pours wine into sample glasses for patrons of the Wine Forum.
Guests strike a funny pose during a classroom session of the Wine Forum.
Guests strike a funny pose during a classroom session of the Wine Forum.
Engage@Spears magazineMagazineSchool of Hospitality and Tourism ManagementSpears School of BusinessWine Forum
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