Matthews

Brand Description

The Matthews team honors Old World traditions while embracing the energy and innovation of Washington State. They work with many of the most iconic vineyards in this ascendant wine region, honing their growing and blending processes to deliver wines of depth, complexity, and verve since 1992. While they are inspired by Bordeaux, many of their winemaking principles come from their Washington heritage.

A superb glass of wine tastes even better with a sense of wonder, and farm-to-table pairings are more satisfying under open skies. That’s why each bottle of Matthews features sustainably grown grapes from the sun-drenched Columbia Valley, and every aromatic pour reflects their home state of Washington.

Location of Vineyard

Washington has nearly the same latitude as some of the top French and Italian winegrowing regions. Thanks to the long, sunny days and cool nights, Washington’s diurnal shift creates ideal temperatures for growing grapes. Contrary to the reputation of the Pacific Northwest, the valley only gets six inches of rainfall per year—as much as the Gobi Desert.

In the Columbia Valley, situated in a high-desert valley just east of the Cascade Mountains, grapes thrive next to Washington apples, cherries, corn, and wheat. The most celebrated vineyards span diverse and varied climates, producing everything from crisp, vibrant whites to polished, layered reds.

Matthews’ grapes are grown across the Columbia Valley. Vines in the Royal Slope, Red Mountain, and Horse Heaven Hills AVAs all contribute to what makes Matthews wines so complex and vibrant.

Winemaking Philosophy

Alex Stewart
Head Winemaker Alex has a degree in enology and a boundless passion for winemaking. He takes a minimalistic approach, working as gently as possible with the fruit and studying the world's top wines.

Hal Iverson
Hal channels his expertise in education and sustainable agriculture into winemaking. As he explains it, enology unites his love for science, art, agriculture, and all things delicious.

Jesse Schmidt
Jesse worked his first harvest in 2007 and spent time as a Cellar Hand before becoming an Assistant Winemaker in 2014.

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“The aromas are thoroughly captivating, with notes of scorched earth, cocoa, black currant, graphite and bittersweet chocolate. Plush, polished, seamless fruit flavors follow. There’s a sophistication and intensity to it all that is mesmerizing.”– (Editors’ Choice)
— acclaim for 2020 Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon from Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2022

“This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), Merlot (34%) and Cabernet Franc (27%), along with bits of Petit Verdot and Malbec. With fruit coming from Horse Heaven Hills, White Bluffs, Wahluke Slope and Royal Slope, appealing aromas of green pepper, herb and fresh black fruit lead to ripe, polished, pure, decadent black-fruit flavors. It shows a lot of intensity and richness. Chocolate notes linger on the very long finish. It’s flat-out delicious and an outrageous value to boot.”– (Editors’ Choice)
— acclaim for 2020 Matthews Claret from Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2022

“This is principally Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Merlot (40%) and Cabernet Franc (10%), with the rest bits of Malbec and Petit Verdot. The aromas offer notes of baking chocolate, black cur- rant, green pepper, plum and herb. Bright, focused, medium-bodied flavors follow. It’s a classic, old-school-styled Washington claret, with all the goodness that brings.”– (Editors’ Choice)
— acclaim for 2019 Matthews Claret from Wine Enthusiast, Nov 2022

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