August 10, 2019
Taking it Slow with Slacker

One of the most revered producers in Paso Robles, Matt Trevisan’s conceptual and artisan wines have made him a pioneer in California’s small production wine movement. Born in South California, Matt moved to San Luis Obispo in 1990 to study biochemistry at Cal Poly University. It was during this period that he began apprenticing at local wineries, sparking his passion in winemaking and (unknowingly) launching a career in the field.

Matt started Linne Calodo in 1998 as a side project while driving forklifts at Wild Horse Winery, with the intention of producing small batch, low intervention wines that showed the very best of West Paso terroir. 

And that he did - always fine-tuning, Matt has become known for his impressive, fresh blends of Central Coast grown Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Zinfandel (among others). Polyculture is thriving. Vineyards are farmed sustainably, and vines are surrounded by oak trees, olives and fruit trees. In the cellar, there’s no formula; Matt makes wine by the taste and feel, crushing fruit straight into the barrel. 

Linne Calodo’s minimalist wines have gained a cult following among passionate consumers and sophisticated somms alike, and Slacker, Matt’s second label, has all there is to love at a more accessible price point. Swimming with the big boys but having more fun doing it, Slacker wines don’t worry about expectations, reviews, and scores. Grapes are manually harvested, sorted by hand and ferment with native yeast. These fun blends showcase Matt’s ability to constantly keep creating and pioneering the exciting possibilities of the Paso Robles wine regions.

Slacker Wines 2017 ‘Pink’ Rose of Grenache, Paso Robles
Dry, refreshing and fuller bodied, the Pink has become a staple in the Cream fridge. 100% saignée Grenache, the Pink get it’s rose-hued color from 1-3 hours of skin contact. This is a complex rosé, with notes of dried strawberries, citrus and white flowers. With more depth and flesh, the balanced Pink is a total food wine and perfect for fall in Chicago.

Slacker Wines 2016 ‘Stereotype’ Paso Robles
A Paso Robles Rhône-style wine, the Stereotype is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Notes of raspberry, plum and bramble fruit are balanced with light, smooth tannins. Grenache lends some spice to this medium-bodied red, with hints of cinnamon and anise. The Stereotype is an easy-drinker with depth. Light, bright and full of flavor, this is a quintessential BBQ wine, or Sunday football wine complete with the lazy day morning-after label to boot.

Slacker Wines 2016 ‘Wanna Be’ Paso Robles
Don’t worry about dessert - the Wanna Be is a savory glass of blackberry pie. Jammy, full bodied and super smooth, this is Zin for your friend who doesn’t like Zin. This is another well balanced, fresh and fruit forward red from Slacker, with a bit of spice and sweet, smoky tobacco. The Zin-Syrah-Mourvedre blend make for a rich, red fruit driven wine with depth. This is the perfect wine for pizza nights, pot lucks and curry-spiced dishes.

About the Labels: Matt’s wines are a balance between art and science, and Slacker’s cinematic, alternative labels fit the bill. The labels are part of a long overdue collaboration with Director and Photographer Philip Andelman, who helped out with a Calodo harvest in 2005 and continues to be a friend of the winery. Philip started his career working for photographer Annie Leibovitz, and later began directing music videos and commercials for a wide range of artists and clients such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Nora Jones, Nike and NFL. Alongside film work, Philip recently returned to photography, working closely in the past few years with a select handful of musicians, casually following them on and off the road. From Jack White to Ryan Adams, the Beastie Boys and Beck. Philips work has evolved out of his love of music and travel, his series of photographs resembling scrapbooks chronicling his life.