Matt Nelsen and his ton of grapes; photo via MFW Wine Co.

Two never-before-seen bottles from with true California heritage – and made with very personal intention.

Matt Nelsen's main work is as a writer, comedian, and filmmaker (you might recognize him from the team of Climate Town). But for many years he's had another foot in the wine world; and his Nelsen Barter – which truly began as a personal project – is the intersection.

"These wines started as a trade...If I took enough harvest photos and vineyard drone shots, I could get one ton of Merlot from the most special vineyard in the world to me."  
–Matt Nelsen

The barter here was 140 year old vine Merlot from his brother-in-law, who happens to be Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock Wine Co. (No surprise, Morgan has the most stunning vineyard photography we've ever seen.) This was in 2020, and he continues to make this wine – from the vineyard where his sister and Morgan were married – as an homage to his nephew born that year.

Bedrock Vineyard; photo via Bedrock Wine Co.

It's a connection that follows the ever-expanding Peterson "family tree." Morgan's work at Bedrock is the direct line from his father, Joel Peterson (the ‘godfather of Zin’ and founder of iconic Ravenswood and Once & Future wineries). And the impact of Bedrock on the celebration (and preservation) of the United States' oldest vines simply cannot be understated. But, it's also been an incubator for some of California's most exciting talents, including Morgan's partner at the winery, Chris Cottrell; Birdhorse's Katie Rouse; Desires Lines' Cody Rasmussen; Florèz Wines' James Jelks.

That connection to California's heritage sites (and people) goes even deeper with Matt's second wine: a Cinsault dedicated to his girlfriend, Caroline, who counts Tegan Passalacqua's Sandlands Cinsault among her favorites of all time. With the source for Tegan's Sandlands and Turley bottlings totally tapped (Bechtold vineyard, which has the oldest Cinsault vines in the world), a search for something as close as possible ended with fruit from Katie Rouse's source in El Dorado.

Extraordinarily old Cinsault at Bechtold vineyard; photo via Turley Wine Cellars

A fresh voice reframing historic sites. You know we love to see it. Production is microscopic (just five barrels between the two cuvées), so we're honored to have a touch of both to share with you:

2023 Nelsen Barter El Dorado Cinsault, Sierra Foothills, California, $30
Fresh and juicy, crunchy red fruit - you feel the Sandlands reference here. 50% whole cluster, aged 9 months in neutral barrel.

2021 Nelsen Barter Bedrock Vineyard Merlot, Sonoma, California, $50
Peppery, grippy, and layered with beautiful fruit. 25% whole cluster, aged 9 months in neutral barrel.