Nisi Wines
Get the Dirt from owner/winemaker Adam Edelman
“Nisi is about the continual pursuit of evolution and refinement. My labels incorporate a spiral/enso theme to align with this philosophy as well as a standing figure (“the dreamer”) to convey movement towards a goal. ”
What was your first vintage year? 2024. We are sharing our first ever wines in Solvang!
How many cases do you make per vintage? We make around 500 cases a vintage.
Do you have a Tasting Room? No, but I can accommodate tasting requests. Please reach out to me at adam@nisiwines.com or (203) 858-5331
What wine/grape made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery?
Chardonnay.
What varietals do you work with? Which varietal/wine is your favorite to make?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
I appreciate getting to work with both varietals because their stress points are entirely different. Pinot Noir (and reds for that matter) requires a lot of attention during fermentation and then patience during ageing. Whereas, Chardonnay requires a lot of patience and trust during primary fermentation and malolactic and then extreme attention during blending/racking/bottling.
What vineyards do you source from?
Fiddlestix Vineyard for my Chardonnay. It’s a legendary vineyard and I am very privileged to be getting fruit from both own-rooted blocks.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard for Pinot Noir – it’s a truly special site.
What type of oak treatment do you use?
A mixture of new and used barrels for Chardonnay. A little new oak to help with mouthfeel but not too much to overwhelm the wine and take away from the vineyard. Once used Chardonnay barrels for Pinot Noir. I like the mouthfeel these barrels add without the oak being too impactful. Chardonnay barrels as they carry less risk than a once used Red (since I don't buy new barrels for my Pinot).
What do you love about your winemaking region?
Sta. Rita Hills is such an incredible place to grow grapes. The diversity of varietals, the climate and the ability to farm at the highest level, in my opinion makes it one of the most exciting AVAs in California today.
What’s the story behind your winery name / label?
Nisi is about the continual pursuit of evolution and refinement. My labels incorporate a spiral/enso theme to align with this philosophy as well as a standing figure ("the dreamer") to convey movement towards a goal. Nisi is a latin term meaning "unless", it's used in law "decree Nisi" indicates a future finality, which I like to apply to winemaking. I have a vision for the wine I make and the goal is to get the wine there unless something happens, which usually is the case.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about the wine business before you started your own winery?
That the winemaking would be the easy part.
How do you view the future in the wine industry for small-lot winemakers?
I have a lot of freedom and flexibility in my decision making. I make just enough wine that I can play around and experiment. Every year I get to challenge myself to try something new. As consumers become more intentional with their alcohol consumption, there’s a growing appreciation for the artistry, authenticity, and sense of place that small-lot wines offer. People are drinking less but better, and that trend strongly favors producers who are focused on craftsmanship, transparency, and quality over volume.
Do you ever get tired of drinking your own wine?
No. My background is in Cabernet, which I did get tired of, so when I set out to make my own wine, I wanted to pick grapes and make wines that I enjoy drinking.
If you could choose another wine region to work in, what would it be?
Piedmonte. I love Nebbiolo, so naturally that’s where one goes, but I also really think the Chardonnay from there is quite remarkable.
For more information about Nisi Wines, please visit their website or follow them on Instagram.