Michael Nelson, Vice President, Education and Grower Relations at Grand Cru Selections

One might say Michael came from humble roots, and not necessarily indigenous ones at that, born of Long Island baby-boomers who fled to the frozen shore of Lake Ontario. Nothing wine related grew there then. Food was mostly sustenance, nothing to stimulate a passion. In fact, there was very little of any cultivation that could fuel artistic exploration. Being naturally curious, he set off to study painting and sculpture, supported financially by a dip into the restaurant world. That whirlpool drew him in, centered in New York City at the height of the 90s celebrity chef explosion and flung him to all corners of the wine world as a Wine Director at Gotham Bar & Grill. A dozen years later, Michael transitioned to wine imports and sales where he developed a capacity to share all he had learned along the way, to anyone that will listen. With the wide breadth of ideas and cultures offered by the growers, friends and family here at GCS, he thinks he's found plenty in which to keep a questioning mind richly nourished….and, in the end, a stellar place to root-down.