Collection: Producer Spotlight: Cadre Wines

Cadre, ‘kɑːdrə’: a small, specialized group of trained personnel who form the nucleus of a larger organization.

We, here at Cult and Boutique Uncorked, like to believe the shared knowledge of our team allows us to source some of the most incredible wines, from producers all around the world, who are constantly working to create magic for oenophiles everywhere. Sometimes, this magic means unexpected crossovers, where grapes from one region find their perfect growing conditions across the other side of the pond; enter Cadre Wines.

Based in Edna Valley & San Luis Obispo, California (or Slo Cal, as the locals call it), this winery is run by a husband and wife duo, the Nivens, who have a strong rooted connection to the area. John Niven’s grandfather first planted his Paragon Vineyard in the early 1970s and, while the family later sold this vineyard, the couple decided to start their own ventures with a focus on showcasing what the locality could produce. 

The region is famed for its cool climate, claiming the title of the coolest American Viticultural Area (AVA) in California, which lends itself perfectly to one of the longest growing seasons - budbreak occurs as early as February and the harvest can continue into November. This in turn, allows the grapes to reach their peak ripeness without the threat of rain. In addition to this, the effects of the sea on the vicinity, in terms of its climate but more importantly, the very soil in which the vines are grown, is palpable. Unusually, Cadre selected the Spanish Albariño and the Austrian Grüner Veltliner varieties of grapes, alongside the much loved Sauvignon Blanc, which has already found its home in California. 

The Albariño benefits from the strong maritime influence and protection of the surrounding hills that can be found in California, and in the coastal regions of Spain, where Cadre sourced cuttings from the famed Morgadio Estate in the Rias Baixas. Shaped by the rhythm of land and sea, it packs a vibrant citrus-like acidity which is met with salinity and the briny saltiness of the ocean. Cadre’s 2024 Sea Queen Albariño is a perfect portrayal of these notes, giving a nuanced arrangement of citrus & stone fruits, lush tropicals with a lingering freshness and minerality - and we have to admit, the label on this bottle caused quite a stir in the office upon its arrival, with its beautiful illustrations making us wish we could instantly teleport to the beach (wine in hand, of course!). 

On the other end of the spectrum, we find the Grüner Veltliner variety and although the origins of the grape are undoubtedly Austrian, with over 75% of global production in its homeland, Cadre’s Band of Stones Grüner has had a far shorter journey to make. Two sites, the aforementioned Paragon Vineyard and the nearby Jack Ranch Vineyard, are brought together to produce this more exotically charged white wine. Both vineyards feature deeply contrasting soils, with Paragon’s weathered stone heavy soil up against Jack Ranch’s sand-rich soil, but share the similar fate of lying in the path of the Pacific’s unyielding foggy coastal winds. This battle pushes the grapes to the limits, elongating the ripening process which results in the desired acidity. 

The wine itself shows this, with that classic Edna Valley saline citrus base, but contrastingly to the Albariño, brings in a peppery, almost spicy hint which is followed up by grapefruit and ginger, and finishes with the Paragon’s minerality coming through. Another stunning label adorns the bottle itself, and while it’s not taken us to the beach in our minds’ eye, it certainly will be coming along to our next Summer social, as it begs to be enjoyed in the sun.

Shop both the Sea Queen Albariño and the Band of Stones Grüner Veltliner below and experience the finesse of Cadre for yourself...