In early July, we were finally back in California and one winemaker in particular was at the top of our list to visit. Matt Nagy heads up the tiny yet incredible producer, Benevolent Neglect. He has tremendous experience working under Napa Valley icons Thomas Rivers Brown (Outpost, Schrader, Maybach) and Steve Matthiasson, of the eponymous Matthiasson winery.

Along with his partner, Ben Brenner, Matt founded Benevolent Neglect in 2013 with the goal of crafting minimal intervention wines from small, terroir-expressive vineyards. Matt and Ben seek out great sites from small growers focusing on sustainability – roughly 90% practice organic farming). In the cellar, they look to intervene in the winemaking as little as possible and make wines that are expressive of their site (and lower in alcohol than the California norm).

The wines are deliciously balanced, and show the ripe fruit you’d expect from California, but with excellent structure and texture. Benevolent Neglect is one of our top finds since we launched Vinified and their entire range is brilliant.