Siduri Winemaker
Born and raised in Kentucky (yes, there are vineyards there), Matt’s love affair with wine started as a summer gig in the vines while he was a college student near Lexington. “I loved working with the land, being able to taste the results of hard work, and seeing the wines and vines grow and mature with each passing season,” he says.
For Matt, winemaking hit that sweet spot where art, science, and pleasure collide. After earning his BA in Philosophy from Hanover College, he made the natural next step for a philosophy major by heading west to Fresno State for a Master's in Viticulture and Enology. A few winery stints later—with names like Williams Selyem, Kosta Browne, and Quintessa as notches on his belt—Matt joined Siduri in 2019.
These days, he’s living the dream, crafting single-vineyard and appellation-driven Pinot Noir (and Chardonnay) from top-notch sites on the West Coast, from Willamette Valley to Santa Barbara.
Matt Spills the Tea (er…Wine)
1. What’s the best and worst part of your job?
The best part of my job is getting to work with so many incredible vineyards from Willamette Valley, Oregon, all the way to the Sta. Rita Hills, with so many in between the two as well. It’s such a rare opportunity to be able to make Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from so many exciting and distinctive vineyards. The worst part is the minute that last drop of wine is put in the barrel—harvest is a wild ride full of challenges, but I miss it so badly when it’s over!
2. What’s one winemaking moment that made you think, “This is why I do this”?
I love the moments when I’m pouring the lineup for someone and they say something to the effect of “Wow, they’re all so different”! Pinot Noir is so distinctive of place and it’s so fun watching those differences play out in real time with the wines in the glass. I also love hearing when someone opens a bottle for a special occasion, and it adds to their experience as a cherished memory—that’s what it’s all about!
3. What’s something surprising thing about being a winemaker?
I never thought I would be so efficient about using Microsoft Excel. Hey, I said it was surprising, not exciting.
4. If you weren’t a winemaker, what would you do?
I would probably be a billionaire philanthropist; I was on my way to making the big bucks with my philosophy degree before I became sidetracked indefinitely with the winemaking thing!
5. Are you a “swirl the glass dramatically” or “straight to sipping” kind of winemaker?
I swirl, but in a more understated way. There’s so much drama in other places in life that I can’t have my swirling affected by all that.
6. What’s your spirit animal?
The polar bear, I run hot, like food, travel solo a lot and love a good swim too!
Matt's Picks
These are the wines Matt’s pouring at home.
