Matthews Winery

Matthews Winery is an American winery located near Woodinville, Washington. Its range is centered on grapes associated with Bordeaux, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The winery was established in 1993 by Matthew Loso, who initially combined ownership with the role of head winemaker. In 2008, Cliff and Diane Otis acquired the winery, marking a change in ownership while retaining the Matthews identity and its established wine focus. Alex Stewart has served as head winemaker since 2021. Matthews produces both white and red wines. Its white-wine portfolio includes Sauvignon Blanc and Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. Its red portfolio includes the Claret, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Reserve Claret, with the red wines described as Bordeaux-style offerings or blends. The winery received notable critical recognition in 2016 when Matthews Claret was placed at number 27 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list. Matthews is therefore positioned around Washington wine, Bordeaux-inspired varietal expression, and a relatively focused portfolio rather than a broad multi-category beverage business. Publicly available reference material identifies the winery's location, ownership transition, winemaking leadership, principal grape varieties, and core wines, but does not establish a broader international operating footprint, public-company status, parent group, or current corporate ownership beyond the documented 2008 acquisition.

Matthews Winery was founded in 1993 near Woodinville, Washington, by Matthew Loso. Loso initially occupied several central roles, serving as the winery's owner and head winemaker. From its documented beginnings, Matthews concentrated on wines made from Bordeaux grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. This focus shaped the winery's identity and its emphasis on Bordeaux-style reds. A significant ownership transition took place in 2008, when Cliff and Diane Otis acquired the winery from Loso. The available reference material does not specify the financial terms of the acquisition or describe a change to the Matthews name. It does establish that the winery continued operating under the Matthews identity after the transaction. The ownership change represents the principal documented corporate turning point in the winery's history. Matthews' stated portfolio includes two white wines, Sauvignon Blanc and Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, alongside four red offerings: Claret, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Reserve Claret. The red range is described as comprising Bordeaux-style blends and wines associated with Bordeaux varieties. This product structure gives the winery a clear stylistic orientation while maintaining both entry and reserve expressions within its portfolio. The winery received a notable measure of outside recognition in 2016, when Matthews Claret was ranked number 27 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list. This placement provided national and international visibility for the Claret and represented the strongest documented critical milestone in the supplied reference material. Since 2021, Alex Stewart has served as head winemaker. The available sources do not provide further detail about Stewart's prior career, production changes under his leadership, vineyard sourcing, distribution network, or current ownership arrangements. Accordingly, Matthews Winery can be documented with confidence as an active Washington winery whose historical and commercial identity rests on Bordeaux-oriented wines, a focused six-wine portfolio, a 2008 acquisition by Cliff and Diane Otis, and the later appointment of Stewart as head winemaker.

1. 2021Alex Stewart became head winemaker

   Alex Stewart began serving as head winemaker at Matthews Winery.

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2. 2016Matthews Claret entered Wine Spectator's Top 100

   Matthews Claret was ranked number 27 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 list.

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3. 2008Ownership transferred to Cliff and Diane Otis

   Cliff and Diane Otis acquired Matthews Winery, ending Matthew Loso's documented period as owner and head winemaker.

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4. 1993Matthews Winery founded

   Matthew Loso founded Matthews Winery near Woodinville, Washington, and served as its owner and head winemaker.

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A Washington winery specializing in Bordeaux grape varieties and Bordeaux-style red blends, complemented by Sauvignon Blanc expressions.

• Sauvignon BlancWhite wine

  One of Matthews Winery's two documented white wines. It represents the winery's Sauvignon Blanc offering within a portfolio otherwise strongly associated with Bordeaux grape varieties and red blends.

• Reserve Sauvignon BlancWhite wine

  The reserve-tier Sauvignon Blanc in Matthews Winery's white-wine range. The available reference identifies it as a separate offering from the standard Sauvignon Blanc, but does not provide production details or release dates.

• Matthews ClaretBordeaux-style red blend

  A Bordeaux-style red blend and one of Matthews Winery's principal red wines. The Claret received prominent recognition in 2016 when it was ranked number 27 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list.

• MerlotRed wine

  A dedicated Merlot in Matthews Winery's red-wine portfolio. Merlot is one of the Bordeaux varieties emphasized by the winery, although the supplied reference does not give detailed tasting, vineyard, or vintage information.

• Cabernet SauvignonRed wine

  A dedicated Cabernet Sauvignon offering within the winery's Bordeaux-oriented red portfolio. The reference material identifies Cabernet Sauvignon as both a principal grape variety and one of the winery's separate wines.

• Reserve ClaretReserve Bordeaux-style red blend

  The reserve-tier Claret in Matthews Winery's red range. It complements the standard Claret and reflects the winery's emphasis on Bordeaux-style red blends, though detailed composition and release information are not provided.

• 2021Appointment of Alex Stewart as head winemakerStrategy

  Matthews Winery continued its focus on Bordeaux grape varieties and Bordeaux-style wines.

  What changed. Alex Stewart became head winemaker.

  Aftermath. Stewart has held the head-winemaker role since 2021. No specific product or strategic changes are documented in the supplied source.

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• 2008Acquisition by Cliff and Diane OtisM&A

  Matthews Winery had been founded and operated by Matthew Loso, who served as owner and head winemaker until the ownership transition.

  What changed. Cliff and Diane Otis acquired the winery in 2008.

  Aftermath. The winery continued to be identified as Matthews Winery. The supplied material does not document transaction terms or subsequent changes in corporate structure.

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• 2021Alex Stewart became head winemaker

  Alex Stewart has served as Matthews Winery's head winemaker since 2021.

  Leadership change
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• 2016Matthews Claret ranked 27th in Wine Spectator Top 100

  Matthews Claret was listed at number 27 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines, giving the winery a significant external critical distinction.

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1. Matthews Winery