VinoCadre Uncorked

September 3, 2026

Welcome

September brings a new season—and plenty to look forward to at VinoCadre. This month, we’re opening the calendar to a collection of gatherings, tastings, and experiences, while unveiling several new wine journeys for those who prefer to take their appreciation a little farther afield.

You may notice one familiar feature is missing from this issue: our featured wine. We’re currently putting the finishing touches on a new, more convenient allocation system, so our recommendations are taking a brief intermission. We’ll be back soon with a refreshed way to reserve the wines we’ve been waiting to share with you.

Closer to home, our in-person studio is nearly ready. The space is coming together beautifully, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you into the Atelier very soon. One of this month’s gatherings offers a small preview of what’s to come, with a tasting of rare and exceptional bottles that will give guests a first look at the caliber of wines we’re assembling for the Atelier. Consider it a sneak peek at what’s waiting behind the cellar door.

Here’s to a September filled with good company, memorable bottles, and a few things worth looking forward to.

Labor Day Pop-Up Tasting

We're celebrating Labor Day weekend in San Antonio!

September 4 – 6

Friday: 2 – 6 PM

Saturday & Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM

Join VinoCadre at Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort this Labor Day weekend for a special three-day pop-up celebrating great wine and the long weekend. Stop by for a complimentary tasting and discover a selection of wines chosen by our team, with plenty of time to linger, explore, and find a new favorite.

Whether you’re checking into the resort for the weekend or simply stopping by to enjoy the holiday, come raise a glass with us. Complimentary tastings will be offered throughout the three-day pop-up.

"Let's Get Presidential" with VinoCadre L'Atelier

Welcome to a special preview of what VinoCadre L'Atelier has to offer.

Wednesday, September 9 · Presidential Suite at Hotel Albert

Guided by Andre Boada · $50 per person

Join VinoCadre for an intimate evening of rare and aged wines in the Presidential Suite at Hotel Albert, hosted by Andre Boada.

The evening will feature a selection of vertical tastings, with current vintages poured alongside bottles dating back as far as fifteen years. It’s an opportunity to experience firsthand how these wines develop over time, with a lineup that includes large-format bottles and selections rarely opened outside of private cellars.

This experience offers a preview of the kind of intimate tastings and wine gatherings we’ll be hosting once L'Atelier — VinoCadre’s private wine studio — is fully complete. And there’s a little more to look forward to: we’ll be joined by the team behind La Bergerie, the much-loved market making its return soon. Guests will have the opportunity to taste from La Bergerie’s selection as well, offering a first glimpse of what’s to come when the Atelier opens on the second floor above the market.

Enjoy some light bites to the tune of a live guitar performance by Dan Dyer throughout the evening, and for those that find a bottle worth taking home, a selection of the wines will be available for purchase.

To keep the experience intimate, the evening is divided into three two-hour access times:

Early Access · 4:00–6:00 PM

Prime Access · 6:00–8:00 PM

Late Access · 8:00–10:00 PM

$50 per person

(Special admissions pricing available for industry members, contact for more info.)

Each access time is limited to 40 guests.

Know Before You Go: Guests must be 21+. Your ticket admits you to one access time; please arrive at the beginning of your selected window. Capacity is firm. Valet and parking are available at Hotel Albert.

Blind Speed Tasting Event

This is a social event and wine tasting like never before!

Sunday, September 20 · Blosson Yoga Studio

behind The Peach Basket (soon to be La Bergerie and home of L'Atelier) at

334 W. Main St. Fredericksburg, TX

You've heard of blind dates. You know about speed dating. Both involve meeting strangers, making quick judgments, and hoping you don't regret your decisions later. Neither has exactly earned a reputation for being foolproof.

Fortunately, this kind of blind encounter comes with better odds.

The game begins with an expert lesson in blind tasting from two highly experienced sommeliers, Andre Boada and Kristi Mayfield. Then it's your turn to put your new skills to the test in a series of lightning rounds, tasting wines from cloaked bottles and seeing just how much you can figure out without the label giving anything away.

Bring your best instincts, your sharpest palate, and perhaps a healthy willingness to second-guess yourself. Collaboration and teamwork are encouraged—although there may be a little friendly competition along the way.

You'll leave with a few new tasting skills, a little more confidence at the table, and, ideally, some new company. No awkward follow-up text required.

Your hosts for the evening, Kristi and Andre.

Bonus Event: Meet & Greet with Kristi Mayfield

Join us Saturday, September 19, and get to know the special guest sommelier of our blind speed tasting event, Kristi Mayfield, founder of Sip Society Collective.

Sunday Dinner Series

We can't wait to see you at our monthly wine dinner social!

Escape to the edge of the world —

Sunday, September 27 · 4 - 7 PM

New Zealand may be a long way from the world’s traditional wine capitals, but its wines have earned a place at the table.

Join us for an evening devoted to the wines of New Zealand, exploring the country’s distinctive regions, cool-climate vineyards, and remarkable range of varietals. From the celebrated Sauvignon Blanc of Marlborough to elegant Pinot Noir and lesser-known bottles worth discovering, each course will offer a different perspective on what makes New Zealand wine so compelling.

Paired with a menu inspired by the country’s coastal landscape and vibrant culinary traditions, the evening will take you from the North Island to the South Island without leaving the table.

Come curious, bring your appetite, and prepare to discover why some of the most exciting wines in the New World are being made at the edge of it.

Pack Your Bags! We're taking this show on the road.

Charleston Food and Wine Classic

A Sommelier-Hosted Culinary Experience in the Heart of the South with Andre Boada

November 13–15, 2026 · Charleston, South Carolina

Spend a long weekend in one of America’s great food cities with VinoCadre, as Andre Boada hosts and guides an intimate journey through the Charleston Food and Wine Classic. This three-day event featuring celebrated chefs, premium wines and spirits, and the best of local food and culture is presented by Explore Charleston, the official destination marketing organization and convention & visitors bureau for the Charleston, South Caroline region. The experiences are artfully designed by experts from the beloved culinary and lifestyle magazines Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure.

Rather than simply attending the festival, you’ll experience Charleston through a wine professional’s perspective. Andre will lead the group throughout the weekend, from festival events and chef-driven dining to wine tastings and the city’s celebrated culinary scene. Along the way, enjoy the ease of having the details handled — from accommodations and dining to transportation and reservations — so you can concentrate on what brought you here in the first place: excellent food, great wine, and good company.

Expect a carefully considered itinerary with access to some of the festival’s most anticipated experiences, alongside a few VinoCadre touches beyond the festival grounds.

Space is limited to keep the group intimate and the experience personal.

Contact Andre Boada to inquire.

(830)-362-7311

andre@vinocadre.com

Tastes of the Rhône: A Culinary Cruise

A Sommelier-Hosted River Journey, Rhône to Burgundy

Travel from the Southern Rhône into Burgundy on an intimate river journey through some of France’s most celebrated wine country, with VinoCadre sommelier Andre Boada serving as your wine host and guide throughout the trip.

The sailing is designed and operated by TravelDesigns by Campbell, whose team handles the ship, ports, excursions, dining, and a private concert inside the Palais des Papes. VinoCadre’s role is to bring the wine program to life.

Throughout the journey, Andre will lead private tastings, guide the group through the wines of each region, and provide context for the vineyards, appellations, producers, and traditions encountered along the way. Evening tastings and wine-focused discussions will complement the itinerary, giving guests the opportunity to experience the Rhône and Burgundy not only as destinations, but through the lens of the wines that have made them famous.

The result is a small-group river journey designed for travelers who want more from wine country than a series of stops on a map. With a small riverboat and a group drawn largely from the Fredericksburg wine community, the experience offers plenty of opportunity to learn, taste, and travel alongside fellow enthusiasts.

Booking, payment, cabins, and travel logistics are handled entirely by TravelDesigns by Campbell.

Looking Forward — October 21, 2026

The Art of the Bordeaux Blend

Think you know what makes a great wine? Put your palate to the test at this hands-on blending seminar at Calivence Wine Bar + Bistro.

Working in pairs, guests will experiment with different red wines to create a blend of their own, guided by the VinoCadre team through the fundamentals of balance, structure, and composition. Once your blend is complete, bottle it, give it a name, and prepare to defend your creation.

Because here comes the fun part: the judging. Wine writers will taste the finished blends and select their favorite. The winning pair will take home a special prize, but to celebrate, everyone will get the chance to try one of Calivence's latest creations — a one-of-a-kind professional blend that exists nowhere else.

Come ready to taste, experiment, disagree, and discover whether you and your partner have what it takes to make a great bottle of wine together.

Until Next Time

Thank you for being part of VinoCadre. Whether you join us around the table, stop by for a tasting, travel with us, or simply open a bottle we’ve recommended, we’re grateful to have you along.

There’s plenty more ahead this fall, and we look forward to sharing it with you — one bottle, one gathering, and one good excuse to raise a glass at a time.

Until then, cheers.

— The VinoCadre Team

Don't forget — the best things are never kept to yourself.