Matt Dees is the winemaker for three Santa Barbara County wine labels: the luxury brand Jonata, based in Ballard Canyon; The Hilt, based in the Santa Rita Hills; and The Paring, which blends juice not otherwise used for the other two brands. Matt is also a self-professed “plant person,” and he has the resume to prove it. Born in Kansas City, Matt attended the University of Vermont to study soil science, and has worked harvests in New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay and Staglin in Napa. But despite having spent nearly two decades in the Santa Barbara County wine industry, and having devoted his career to winemaking, Matt Dees is no one-trick pony. He can talk about Bach, Grace Slick, and Kansas City barbecue in the same breath, and seems like he might be happy to do so anytime. We talked about his life and career while sharing a table at the new restaurant Highwater in San Luis Obispo.
Website: jonata.com; thehiltestate.com;.theparing.com
Instagram: @jonataestate @thehiltestate @theparing
Olive oil tasting with Marisa Bloch Gaytan of Pasolivo Olive Oil, Paso Robles
Gardening (and free popcorn) with Miner’s Ace Hardware president Paul Filice, Arroyo Grande
Quick pickling with Andrea Wasko and Meaghan Gilbert, Los Osos
“Nature-positive” winemaking with Matt Trevisan at Linne Calodo Winery, Paso Robles
Peasant’s Feast and Peasant’s Deli chef/owners Michael and Sarah Cherney, Solvang
Bonus episode: Chris Lambert of Your Own Backyard talks creativity
Bonus episode: CONSUMED Live x At Her Table | Mothers in the Hospitality Industry
Healing from eating disorders with Sara Garofalo, Love Holistic Living in SLO
Growing winemaking wings with Janie Willheim, Lumina Wines in Paso Robles
A life in produce with Andrea Chavez of Talley Farms Fresh Harvest, Arroyo Grande
Going Rhône with Vicki Carroll, Hospice du Rhône, Paso Robles
Soupgangsta and Little Red Hen Bread, aka Stephanie Nye and Kirsten Finberg
Employing former inmates in the kitchen with Sister Theresa Harpin of Restorative Partners and The Bridge Cafe in SLO
Taking tea time with Kirstin Sherritt of The Secret Garden in SLO
What is good service? A chat with Giuseppe’s SLO server Chloe Lane
Food writing, gumbo, and big transitions with Sara Roahen in SLO
High cuisine and high praise with Chef Rachel Haggstrom at JUSTIN Winery in Paso Robles
Bonus episode: CONSUMED Live with Harmony and Brian Collins, Ember + Brooke and Jacob Town, The Spoon Trade
Bread, bikes, and community with Sam DeNicola and Matt Gamarra of Bread Bike, SLO
Talking trash with Peter Cron of SLO County Integrated Waste Management Authority, SLO
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