Raised in the restaurant business, Matt quickly grew passionate about fine dining and fell in love with wine. In 2003, while managing McCrady’s Wine Bar in Charleston, SC, Matt was certified in the Court of Master Sommeliers program. In 2005 he was voted Charleston’s Best Sommelier by the Charleston City Paper. His first business, The Charleston Wine Traveler provided entertaining & educational wine tasting events, and retail consultation. Also in 2005, Matt was named Chair of the Wine Committee for the inaugural Charleston Wine + Food Festival and was the first Festival Wine Director. He went on to work with the Charleston Wine + Food Festival in multiple capacities for the next 13 years. Currently Matt is the National Sales Manager for two premier Estate wineries in Santa Barbara County, CA; The Hilt Estate & JONATA Winery. Both wineries are under the same ownership, farmed by and made by winemaker Matt Dees. The vineyards are regenratively and organically farmed, and considered world class in the sub regions of Sta. Rita Hills, and Ballard Canyon. In 2022 Matt co-founded Allura Wine company and produces brands such as POGGIO COSTA DOC Prosecco and Fred Barbera DOC Piemonte 3L Box wine. POGGIO COSTA is a Certified Sustainable winery that has been quickly resonating with people who want a fresh, crisp, clean, TRUE BRUT style of sparkling wine. Fred is single grower, all organic Barbera from the Monferrato region within the Piedmont of Italy. Super clean, naturally fermented in cement tank, with low intervention wine making. It’s a beautifully bright, fresh style Barbera for easy consumption, in an eco-friendly package.