An announcement from Rachael Buehrer (above center) and The Vino Gallery.
For close to four years, I have been an almost constant fixture at the Vino Gallery, a business that I have proudly built with my partner, Alex Head. Over the last few months, my time has become increasingly scarce as development of my next business approaches a critical pre-opening phase. It is with conflicted emotions that I announce my plan to step away from management and ownership of the Vino Gallery to focus my time and attention on my upcoming beverage school, Coterie.
Coterie will embody the passion that this community has for wine, beer, cocktails and spirits through extensive educational opportunities, a full service bar and restaurant, resources for both the industry professional seeking professional development and the beverage enthusiast who would like to expand their knowledge of their hobby. Coterie is located at the corner of Duncan and Boyle, in the exciting Cortex redevelopment of what was an industrial wasteland. From the dust of that community rises a vibrant research hub and entrepreneurial enclave. We are thrilled to be a part of that growth – both in a developing neighborhood and in the ever stronger beverage community of Saint Louis.
One vital component of Coterie will be a commitment to the growth of our community of Sommeliers, candidates in the Master of Wine Program and Society of Wine Educators, mixologists, brewers, cicerones and beverage professionals of all levels. We plan to include a not-for-profit arm of the business to provide assistance to those who seek to make the beverage service industry their lifeʼs work. I have said a thousand times (and will say a thousand more!) that “a rising tide raises all ships”. We have the ability to help each other. I am thrilled to be able to get the ball rolling on something that I have been so passionate about for years : giving back to the beverage community that has become my second family.
Plans are also underway to expand and improve the Vino Gallery; I am excited to see the addition of indoor seating, an extended schedule and drink choices at the bar, and the addition of a small kitchen to accommodate a bar menu and small event catering.
I look forward to seeing you from the -other- side of the bar at the Vino Gallery. I am so proud of all that our corner wine shop has become and look forward to seeing it grow. I canʼt wait to see what Alex has in store for the upcoming months and years – and plan to do quite a bit of my planning at the Vino Gallery bar. Next spring, I also hope to see you at classes, tastings, winemaker seminars, on field trips and hanging out at the bar at Coterie.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, enthusiasm and friendship over a glass of wine!
Cheers!
Rachael Buehrer, C.S.W.