Beth Costa, Executive Director of the Wine Road in Northern Sonoma County is Here to Talk with Us About Their 33rd Annual Barrel Tasting!
The Wine Road is celebrating their 33rd annual Barrel Tasting along the Wine Road - Northern Sonoma County 100+ Wineries! beginning as an organization of nine wineries, it has grown into a spirited constellation of more than 150 wineries and 50 lodgings. It’s not actually a “road” in the sense of a single, continuous stretch of paved
highway, but more of a treasure map to the many jewels nestled among the hills and valleys of a region where fresh air, fine wine and exquisite cuisine await those who traverse it.
Matt Brain Tells Us About His New Venture, Baker & Brain Winery!
Matt Brain and his partner, Josh Baker started a brand new label and are just releasing their first wines, Pinot Noir and Rhone varietals from across the coast of California. The label is called Baker & Brain (Josh Baker and Matt Brain). Tiny amounts of hand crafted single vineyard wines, fruit is farmed using sustainable, organic or biodynamic practices.More about Matt: With a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences and a background in process engineering, Matt brings both naturalist philosophies and highly technical abilities to winemaking. After leaving a successful career in the Toronto area to pursue his dream of winemaking in California, he found himself working the 2006 harvest with a custom winemaking operation in San Luis Obispo. Matt was quickly promoted to supervise cellar operations for the facility’s premium label. There he was able to develop a solid core of winemaking knowledge while cultivating a personal philosophy and winemaking style. Matt currently holds the role of Associate Winemaker at an Edna Valley winery, working closely with fellow Winemaker Josh Baker.
During his short time in California, Matt has established a strong relationship with the Central Coast Wine Technical Group as well as the Enology and Viticulture Program at California Polytechnic State University. He takes an active role in mentoring students through their Senior Research Projects, allowing them to conduct trials under his supervision as he completes his own Enology and Viticulture education through U.C. Davis.
His love of outdoor adventure is obvious as Matt can often be found surfing his favorite spots along the Central Coast on weekends and holidays when he is not backpacking and hiking with his wife Melanie. The Brains take a balanced approach to healthy living. They paint, read, enjoy music, base their diet on local farmer’s market produce and pursue spirituality through a regular practice of Yoga and meditation.