Champagne isn’t just for celebrations, and Henrietta’s Bayfront is preparing to prove it with POP! 2026, a sparkling wine event featuring 18 selections from six distributors on Thursday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m.
The evening will bring together an assortment of Champagne and sparkling wines, accompanied by hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, giving guests an opportunity to explore different styles of bubbly.
For Michael, the enthusiasm behind the event comes from a personal appreciation for sparkling wines and a desire to change how people enjoy them.
“I’m a huge nerd for bubbles, and I think they need to be considered a standard drinking wine, not just for special occasions,” he said.
POP! 2026 will feature three selections from each of the six participating distributors, organized into three categories.
The first category will showcase true Champagne, produced in France’s Champagne region. The second will feature Prosecco, Cava and domestic sparkling wines, introducing guests to different sparkling wine traditions.
The third category, appropriately called the “Wildcard,” will feature something unexpected.
“A ‘Wildcard,’ basically just something fun and bubbly,” Michael explained.
The event reflects Henrietta’s appreciation for sparkling wines, which extends beyond familiar Champagne labels.
Among the restaurant’s wine selections are prestigious Champagne houses such as Dom Pérignon, Moët & Chandon and Taittinger, along with a sparkling brut rosé from England.
“British bubbles are VERY cool,” Michael said.
Another notable selection on Henrietta’s wine list is Philipponnat’s Clos des Goisses, a highly regarded Champagne with a remarkable history.
The Philipponnat family acquired the Clos des Goisses vineyard in 1935, pioneering the production of Champagne from a single vineyard rather than blending grapes from multiple sites.
Located on a steep, south-facing hillside in France’s Champagne region, the vineyard has become celebrated for its distinctive wines.
While POP! 2026 will focus on sparkling wines, Henrietta’s is also considering additional special dining and wine experiences throughout the year.
Michael said he hopes to host approximately one dinner or special event each month, with many featuring individual wineries and selections of both red and white wines.
Guests attending POP! 2026 will also have an opportunity to cast their votes for two awards: “Best in Show,” recognizing the best overall wine of the evening, and “Best Wildcard,” honoring the favorite selection in the event’s Wildcard category.
For now, POP! 2026 offers South Padre Island residents, Winter Texans and visitors an opportunity to discover sparkling wines beyond the traditional celebratory toast.
POP! 2026 takes place Thursday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m., at Henrietta’s Bayfront Restaurant on South Padre Island. Admission is $80 per person, plus applicable taxes and additional charges.