Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre Boada.
Hi Andre; so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My passion for food & wine started at a young age, being groomed by European parents. I quickly expanded by living in Napa-Sonoma and spearheading brand development for Jackson Family Wines and multiple artisan wineries. I recently started kicking TX winery dirt via my wine consulting company, VinoCadre, now based in Fredericksburg, TX. I mix in national work, speaking for Food & Wine Magazine and freelance wine publication writing and judging for many International wine competitions. Under development, I’m a co-founder of a new Sparkling Wine Experience called “Six Twists Sparkling,” based in Fredericksburg, TX. The lounge will be part of an artisan complex, “Elk & Main,” featuring Italian gelato, a chocolate bar, a speakeasy cocktail bar, and an event space. Opening May 2023. I hold the distinction of “Advanced Sommelier” from The Court of Master Sommeliers, tasting over 100 wines a week as a wine buyer. I also mentor many up-and-coming sommeliers and wine enthusiasts and welcome you to explore my knowledge through educational seminars.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Overall smooth during my transition to success, although keeping up with the wine industry evolution involves a continuous keen eye on trends, winery upstarts, and ownership changes. That, coupled with the barrage of tasting/studying wines (up to 100 wines a week) to stay tuned to the industry, is wearing if you need more passion to push yourself. Many fail due to time management & tasting one wine at a time. My typical routine is tasting 10 or more in a sitting, and sadly I’m spitting as I taste to take clear, concise notes. I also taste wines blind through techniques gained through formal Court of Master Sommelier training. Quite honestly, tasting blind is quite humbling but the best way to challenge my palette and learn. I recommend this practice if you’re an aspiring sommelier or a wine enthusiast, thus gaining a broader depth into the world of wine. Lastly, my biggest challenge is due to time involvement in crafting multiple projects around the USA and Europe, including a new Sparkling Wine Experience called “Six Twists Sparkling.”
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Founder & Wine Specialist at VinoCadre Co-founder at Six Twists Sparkling, “A Sparkling Wine Experience” Freelance wine writer, international wine judge, and educator/speaker.
VinoCadre is a platform designed for consumer food & wine education, although it encompasses Business to Business branding and execution within wineries. It’s built around a team of wine specialists, winery marketing, and professionals who understand the wine industry’s complex scope.
Six Twists Sparkling is an all-new consumer sparkling wine experience coming to life at Elk & Main, Fredericksburg, TX. Over 75 sparkling wines will be offered by the glass due to an innovative preservation system. The focus will push the boundaries of food and wine around an educational experience featuring regional sparkling wines worldwide. Opening May 2023.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Drive to succeed in multiple Food & Wine facets. Be an entrepreneurial leader with high standards for the creative process yet build brand values to deliver measurable, actional results. I push the education envelope by multiplying my principles through all channels of the wine industry, thus expanding the bandwidth of consumers/trade-gaining knowledge. I also double down with experience as a chef, winemaker, and brand developer, yet I stay true to mentoring up-and-coming stars in the wine industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: vinocadre.com & sixtwistssparkling.com
- Instagram: @andreboada @vinocadre @sixtwistssparkling
- Facebook: #andreboada #sixtwists #vinocadre
- Linkedin: andreboada