This season'sgatherings

A little friendly competition, and something uniquely you

Wednesday, October 21 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Calivence Wine Bar + Bistro $65 per person

Blending is something beautiful. It is, in many ways, in our nature.

When we share what we love, a little piece of it carries on with someone else. Blended into their life, it becomes something new—and from there, it is passed on again.

We blend traditions and cultures with our friends and loved ones. We have blended families and chosen families. We cross borders, adapt recipes, layer old pieces with new ones, and give new life to things we have inherited.

To be human is to have taste — not only in what we eat and drink, but in how we live. It is to gather what we love, bring it together, and make something that could not have existed before.

That is the beauty of blending. We take what we have, and create something new.

Even the name Calivence is a blend. Two places, California and Provence, brought together to create something distinctly its own.

And now, Calivence, in collaboration with VinoCadre, invites you to make a blend of your own.

Take the winemaker’s chair and create a cuvée that is distinctly yours. Working in teams of two, you’ll be given three blind Bordeaux varietal cuvées and the freedom to blend them as you see fit. Use all three, use two, or let one speak for itself. Pour, taste, adjust, and trust your palate as you work toward something new.

Once your cuvée is finished, the competition begins. Each table will choose its favorite blend, and the winning cuvées will advance to a panel of wine professionals — including André Boada — for the final tasting and assessment. Every team will have the rare opportunity to put its creation before a professional palate and hear how their blend comes together.

Along the way, enjoy wine-friendly bites and an evening of tasting, experimenting, and a little good-natured competition.

For this occasion, Calivence is bringing its estate wines to the table before they are bottled—a rare glimpse into the winemaking process at a moment when the final character of the wine is still being shaped. Crafted entirely on-site at the Calivence vineyard in Los Olivos, Santa Barbara, these cuvées offer a unique opportunity to taste the wines as the winemaker does: not yet finished, but full of possibility. Paired with French elegance and Texas hospitality, it’s an evening about discovering what happens when you trust your taste and create something new. More details available on Calivence's website. https://calivencefbg.com/events/

Experience Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival as a VIP

Saturday, October 24 Tour A: 1:00 PM Tour B: 3:00 PM Guided by Andre Boada · $25 per person · Limited to 6 people per session

There is no shortage of things to taste at the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival. On Saturday, October 24, the festival’s Grand Tasting takes over Marktplatz, bringing together more than 35 wineries among the 75-plus culinary and beverage partners participating throughout the weekend. This year’s lineup includes Grape Creek Vineyards, Heath Sparkling Wines, Becker Vineyards, Augusta Vin, William Chris Vineyards, Signor Vineyards, Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa, Adega Vinho and Whatley Wines, among many others. With so much to discover, it can be tempting to arrive with a plan, or simply wander from pour to pour and hope something wonderful finds you. We prefer a little more intention. Let VinoCadre take you through the Grand Tasting with a private, sommelier-led experience designed to make the most of the afternoon. With Andre Boada as your guide, you’ll have a thoughtful path through the festival’s abundance, discovering wines worth lingering over and gaining insight into the people and places behind them. And, well, it never hurts to know a few people. Wink, wink. Come share in our great love of Fredericksburg wine — and let us show you a little more of what makes this place so special. Know Before You Go: Festival admission is not included, and must be purchased separately. Tickets can be purchased here > https://fbgfoodandwine.com/festival-event-tickets/grand-tasting/#event Guests must be 21+. A designated meeting point will be shared with you after you receive confirmation of your tour. Please arrive to the meeting point at least 10 minutes prior to the beginning of your selected session time.

The gentle breeze of autumn calls for the structured power of Bordeaux

Sunday, October 25 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Alla Campagna $75 per person

Join us for the latest installment of our ongoing Food & Wine Sunday dinner series with Alla Campagna, where each month brings a new place, palate, and story to the table.

This month, we turn to Bordeaux for an immersive evening of elegant, structured wines and a thoughtfully composed dinner.

Explore the distinctive character of the region’s Left and Right Banks through a guided tasting that invites comparison between their signature styles, from the polished, Cabernet-led wines of the Left Bank to the lush, Merlot-driven character of the Right. With each pour paired to a carefully crafted course, settle in for an evening that captures the depth, balance, and timeless sense of place that make Bordeaux so enduring.

Join TravelDesigns by Campbell and renowned wine expert André Boada of VinoCadre for an afternoon of exceptional wine, inspiring travel experiences, and exclusive opportunities to connect with some of the world’s leading cruise, tour, and luxury travel brands. Availability is limited.

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

Eight days on the Rhône and Saône, hosted by Andre — Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Avignon, and a private classical concert inside the Palais des Papes. From $5,802 per person.