Accendo Team

Nigel Kinsman began working with the Araujo family in 2010 when he joined the team as winemaker at Araujo Estate Wines. A decade later, he now makes the family’s Cabernet Sauvignon for Accendo Cellars.

The Araujos were originally keen to bring Nigel on board because of his experience working with biodynamic and organic vineyards, as well as his proven track record producing highly regarded wines from some of the finest estates in California, Italy and Australia.

He spent four years as winemaker for Krupp Brothers in Napa Valley where he oversaw the production of wines for Krupp Brothers, Black Bart and Veraison. Prior to that he was winemaker at Australian Wine Holdings Ltd. in the Margaret River, and spent two years in Italy working with consulting winemaker Michel Rolland at Tolaini SRL, Castelnuova Berardenga. Nigel also worked at Cullen Wines, a certified Biodynamic® and organic vineyard and winery in Margaret River, as well as Nepenthe Wines and Mount Langi Ghiran. He received his Oenology degree from the University of Adelaide in addition to a Bachelor of Music degree. He was named San Francisco Luxe Council “2018 Rising Stars Winemaker of the Year”.

Together with his wife Shae, Nigel produces Kinsman Eades wines.

Bordeaux-based oenologist Michel Rolland has consulted with the Araujo family for two decades. His brilliant talent for blending wine as well as his deep understanding of winegrowing and winemaking have contributed to the acclaim of Araujo Estate Wines and now Accendo Cellars. Together with two generations of the Araujo family and their winemakers Nigel Kinsman and Françoise Peschon, Michel participates in planning and blending sessions three times per year for the Accendo Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Mikael has been with Accendo Cellars since 2017, managing relationships and communications with clients and hospitality professionals. He has directed Accendo Cellars’ hospitality program at Wheeler Farms and played an integral role in the development of private client tastings and events.

His background is diversified with work experiences in hospitality, retail, business development and operations, as well as brand management. Prior to joining Accendo, Mikael held positions with Gandona Estate and Restoration Hardware’s Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Yountville Chamber of Commerce.

Mikael has achieved the Advanced certification from WSET and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

As National Sales Director, Tuttle is responsible for overseeing Accendo Cellars’ wholesale domestic and international distribution partners and relationships. Tuttle joins Accendo Cellars with more than 30 years of experience as a top performer in fine wine sales and marketing. 

Most recently, Tuttle served as the Director of Wines for Stoli Group USA, focusing on sales, education, branding, marketing and winery relations for the organization’s fine wine portfolio. Her career in wine began in restaurants, but she soon transitioned to the sales team with longtime Bay Area importer and wholesaler, Martine’s Wines. Her career journey next led to three Northern California family-owned wine businesses: a sales management role for Sebastiani Vineyards; regional sales roles for Cline Cellars and Jacuzzi Family Vineyards; as well as sales roles for the luxury wine divisions of Allied Domecq Wines, USA and Constellation Brands before joining Stoli Group USA in 2014. In addition to her work experience, Tuttle has received the WSET Diploma Level 4 and the WSET Educator Certificate. During her tenure at Stoli Group USA she was also a WSET Approved Program Provider.

One of Napa Valley’s most respected viticulturists, Steve Matthiasson has consulted with the Araujo Family since the mid-2000s. He has assisted with the family’s winegrowing operations formerly at the Eisele Vineyard, and more recently at their home vineyard in Oakville, Rancho Pequeño. Today for Accendo Cellars, Steve continues to collaborate with the family and the vineyard managers they work with on the best vineyard practices to ensure sustainability of the land and to preserve a true expression of terroir in the wines. He was named SF Chronicle 2013 Winemaker of the Year and Food & Wine 2012 Winemaker of the Year. 

With his wife, Jill, Steve produces wine under the Matthiasson wine label.

Jeff Dawson has been a Biodynamic farmer and consultant for over 24 years, beginning as Director of Gardens at the Fetzer Vineyards Valley Oaks Garden Project and later as Curator of Gardens at Copia in Napa. 

Over a span of 20 years in Napa Valley, he has worked as a Biodynamic consultant with some of the Napa Valley’s premiere vineyards. Starting in 2000, he began working with the Araujos and oversaw the transition of Araujo Estate and the Eisele Vineyard from organic to Biodynamic farming, making it the first Demeter-certified vineyard in Napa. Today Jeff continues his Biodynamic consultation with the Araujo family’s Accendo Cellars and Jean-Charles Boisset’s Boisset Collection.