After six years of setbacks, false starts, and watching Mother Nature crush my plans, I'm finally holding the wine I've been chasing: a Pinot Noir that shows everything my vineyard can be.
Let me tell you why.
When I decided to make wine, I had one advantage: proof of concept. My dad had been making Pinot Noir from our family vineyard. Despite having almost no sense of taste or smell and winging it completely, sommeliers were raving.
If these grapes could make him look good, I knew they were special. I knew this vineyard was where I'd make my name.
Having a great vineyard is one thing, but actually capturing that essence into a bottle was way harder than I expected.
2019: I nailed the growing season, managed fermentation, then botched the final stage. Six of eight barrels turned to expensive vinegar. Rookie mistake.
2020: Wildfires pushed birds off their migration routes and they devoured three-quarters of my crop before I could blink. Two barrels.
2021: A frost the previous Fall killed every vine back to the ground. Zero barrels.
2022: The vines were still rebuilding. Two barrels again.
Four years of making the wine I cared about most and never having much to share.
Then came 2023.
The vines had recovered. The weather was finally normal so we didn't have to contend with pests, fires or frosts. Instead of what became my usual two barrels of liquid bitcoin, I got sixteen. Sixteen barrels of what I believe is the most delicate, balanced Pinot Noir you'll find outside of Burgundy, with that firm backbone of high-elevation acidity that only our Colorado vineyard can provide.
After two additional years of aging, it's finally ready.
It took six years of trying to get this right.
I can’t wait for you to taste it.
Replies (67)
Amazing story of resilience and proof of work 🔥🔥
Will be going short bitcoin on this very soon
View quoted note →Low time preference. High bar.
I can’t wait to try it!!
PoW
my man. can't wait to pop a cork with ya
PROOF OF WINE
Yo! I was going to buy some but wanted to ask, sats of fiat?
Thanks for sharing, Ben. 💜🫂🫂
Never give up.
Ben Justman🍷
After six years of setbacks, false starts, and watching Mother Nature crush my plans, I'm finally holding the wine I've been chasing: a Pinot Noir that shows everything my vineyard can be.
Let me tell you why.
When I decided to make wine, I had one advantage: proof of concept. My dad had been making Pinot Noir from our family vineyard. Despite having almost no sense of taste or smell and winging it completely, sommeliers were raving.
If these grapes could make him look good, I knew they were special. I knew this vineyard was where I'd make my name.
Having a great vineyard is one thing, but actually capturing that essence into a bottle was way harder than I expected.
2019: I nailed the growing season, managed fermentation, then botched the final stage. Six of eight barrels turned to expensive vinegar. Rookie mistake.
2020: Wildfires pushed birds off their migration routes and they devoured three-quarters of my crop before I could blink. Two barrels.
2021: A frost the previous Fall killed every vine back to the ground. Zero barrels.
2022: The vines were still rebuilding. Two barrels again.
Four years of making the wine I cared about most and never having much to share.
Then came 2023.
The vines had recovered. The weather was finally normal so we didn't have to contend with pests, fires or frosts. Instead of what became my usual two barrels of liquid bitcoin, I got sixteen. Sixteen barrels of what I believe is the most delicate, balanced Pinot Noir you'll find outside of Burgundy, with that firm backbone of high-elevation acidity that only our Colorado vineyard can provide.
After two additional years of aging, it's finally ready.
It took six years of trying to get this right.
I can’t wait for you to taste it.
You're a true inspiration brother 🤙🫂
Keep pushing forward 💪
Check your dms
When are you releasing your 2023 Pinit Noir on your website? Kudos to you for being relentless to create something magical
Check your dms
Its out now!
If you're living in a state thats giving you issues ordering it, lemme know and we'll find a workaround
dawg, I learn from you all the time
Keep keeping the influencers clean
Salute 🇮🇹❤️
you're the man, Derek!
Thanks for being part of my early bitcoin and nostr journey
I gotta sell some sats this month, so whatever is easiest for you!
(I'm only shipping out Next Day Air orders rn due to the heat and am holding the rest)
I still remember when we met, Bitcoin Miami 2022, for dinner with a bunch of plebs. Taco Taco I think was the name of the place.
I’ll do fiat to you keep some sats and you can hold my order until it’s cooler ( whenever suits you).
done. My b for not seeing that. not sure how
appreciate you sir! I'm saying September 1 as of now, but we will see
I was just in Miami and walked past that place. Good memories
Hey man how far are you from Steamboat Springs, CO? I want to come visit the vineyard and buy the some wine
I'm in Paonia. Not too far for a quick trip. Give me a shout if you do, would love to pop a cork with ya
Just ordered 2 plus a summer box, cheers!
Hell yeah!
Appreciate you
just sent you an email about it
man, that looks like a special location. those wandering high elevation valleys on Colorado are magical
Appreciate that 🤙
We're in a space (Bitcoin/Nostr), that wants to see everyone succeed
Only your actions, can hold you back
I see you are a man of class and culture
*we're gonna win intensifies*
🫡
others might contest this assessment 😂
but i don’t care. 🏔️🌲
the amount of support i've received has lighted a fire in me, so yes
i believe we're going to win brother
It makes me happy to hear that a person accomplished his goals and dreams. Especially when excellent wine is involved.
Feel proud! You earned it!
Amazing service ⚡
Exactly, same
Appreciate you!
That sounds close to me 🧐 are we neighbors? I’m close to Pueblo
Strong work - congrats!
appreciate you for following along!
Legend!! Proof of Work baby!!
We're gonna win
Love it 🤘
🤌🍇
Outstanding!! 🤩
Your persistence and perseverance paid off. What an incredible story!
I would definitely snag more than just one bottle if I was somehow able to have it shipped to Canada!
If you ever come across the border I can ship to a UPS store for pickup!
The Canadian government really doesn't want me to import
Okay I’ll keep you posted. Do you happen to know how many bottles can cross the border? I might as well make it worth while and get every ounce I can!
I've had other Canadians cross with a case. I think they just check harder when it goes through official shipping channels
Looks I’ll be getting a case of your finest wine hopefully soon! ☺️
Ben we are starting an epic road trip tomorrow which will include CO, UT, WY and SD. We may have to swing by and grab a few bottles from you in person!
That is an epic road trip! I miss the Great Plains. Never made it to SD while living in America
#epic
#roadtrip
#greatplains
Hit me up! If I'm around we'll make it happen!
Canada won't know what hit it
Way to keep at it! Congrats on the release 🥂
Thanks Aaron!
My dad and I visited last summer to see Mount Rushmore, I liked it so much I'm going to take the family back. The Black Hills area is beautiful.
I would have loved to buy some from Europe. Am I right that you only ship US ?
Yeah liquor regs plus it'd get destroyed in transit
Great interview man! Excited to try it.
Thanks for listening!
Not joke
Can you send me a bottle as a gift? Pay upfront in Sats. Want to try. We have Spätburgunder here in Germany which is PinotNoir as well. Love the fine nuances of this grape.
It'll get destroyed in transit
🫤
Have any recommendations for camping, restaurants, mountain bike trails, or anything else fun to do around the steamboat area
I live in Fort Collins but am doing a 4 day camping trip this weekend up at steamboat
