MERGE4 x Luke McLelan Sock Release Party

On November 21^st at Bargetto Winery, we celebrated the release of our new Amelia the Otter socks — inspired by Amelia Otter’s Mischief in the Water, written by Luke McLelan and illustrated by Nate Bañuelos.

It was one of those evenings that reminds you why local creativity, community, and collaboration matter.

About the Book: Amelia Otter’s Mischief in the Water

Amelia Otter’s Mischief in the Water is a heartwarming children’s book that follows Amelia - a curious, playful otter who always seems to find adventure. Written by Luke McLelan and illustrated by Nate Bañuelos, the story blends coastal wildlife with themes of courage, curiosity, and the joy of exploring.

It’s the kind of story kids ask to read again and again, filled with expressive artwork, gentle humor, and moments that spark imagination and conversation. Amelia’s personality shines through every page - which made translating her onto a pair of MERGE4 socks feel completely natural.

Why MERGE4 Wanted Amelia in Our Collection

Amelia isn’t just a character - she’s a local hero. Her story reflects the coastal environment we love, the creativity of our community, and the values MERGE4 stands for: curiosity, courage, play, and purpose.

Supporting local authors and artists has always been part of our DNA, and bringing Amelia into the MERGE4 lineup felt like a way to celebrate the place we call home. Luke’s storytelling and Nate’s artwork capture the heart of Santa Cruz — bold, bright, expressive, and full of life. We’re honored to help share Amelia’s story in a whole new way.

A Little About the Author & Illustrator

Luke McLelan is a local educator, writer, and storyteller whose work centers around creativity, kindness, and coastal life. Meeting him in person — warm, thoughtful, and incredibly engaging - made the event even more meaningful.

While Nate Bañuelos couldn’t make it in person, his artwork was front and center. His illustrations bring Amelia to life in a fun, dynamic way that kids instantly connect with. Seeing his art stretched across MERGE4 socks felt like the perfect extension of Amelia’s character - full of movement, mischief, and charm.

Bargetto Winery: The Perfect Setting

Hosting this event at Bargetto Winery added so much to the experience. As one of the oldest wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Bargetto’s is known for its warm hospitality, beautiful tasting room, and deep ties to the local community.

With twinkling lights, incredible wine, and a cozy coastal-holiday feel, it created the perfect backdrop for a celebration of art, storytelling, and collaboration. MERGE4 was honored to be part of such a thoughtful and meaningful evening.

A Night Full of Community & Creativity

Guests sipped wine, wandered the tasting room, talked with Luke, picked up autographed copies of the book, and grabbed matching MERGE4 socks. Honestly, the pairing couldn’t be better - a signed storybook and a set of Amelia socks make for a perfect holiday gift for kids and families.

A huge highlight of the night: we completely sold out of youth sizes.

Thank you to every person who came out, supported the book, supported Nate’s art, and supported MERGE4.

Adult Sizes Return Soon

If you missed out on adult sizes, don’t worry - they’ll be back in stock on December 15th.

With Gratitude

Thank you again to Luke, for bringing Amelia into the world; to Nate, for turning her into art; and to Bargetto Winery for hosting such a warm, festive evening.

Here’s to Amelia, community, and creative collaborations that make people smile.