Matt Dees

Matt Dees is the winemaker for Jonata in Ballard Canyon and The Hilt Estate in the Santa Rita Hills, both in Santa Barbara County, California. Jonata’s official site says he has guided the winery since its first harvest in 2004 and notes that he studied soil science at the University of Vermont and worked harvests at Staglin in Napa Valley and Craggy Range in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. Coverage of The Hilt likewise identifies him as the estate’s winemaker and says he has been there since 2008.