Matt KettmannContributing Editor
Reviews wines from California.
Matt Kettmann reviews and reports on wines from the Central and South Coasts of California for the magazine. Santa-Barbara based Kettmann is senior editor for the weekly newspaper The Santa Barbara Independent, for which he has covered local news, lifestyle and beverage beats since 1999, and has reported on local and general wine topics for the New York Times, Time Magazine, Smithsonian, Sunset and Wine Spectator. In addition to organizing successful regional wine food and drink events in Santa Barbara and moderating at the annual Paso Robles CAB Collective seminar at the California Wine Festival last fall, in 2009, Kettmann cofounded New Noise Santa Barbara, an annual music conference and festival, and also serves on the board for Notes for Notes, a nonprofit providing free access to musical instruments and recording studios for music-interested youth.
Recent Articles and Reviews
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The SoCal Wine Country Where Experimentation Reigns Supreme May 28, 2020 Still an afterthought to many in the pantheon of California wine, Temecula's grapegrowers and winemakers… -
The California Iconoclasts Producing Approachable Yet Cellarable Wines May 27, 2020 Santa Cruz isn't your typical sunny California beach town. From the mountains to the bay,… -
The Light, Fresh California Red Winning Over Pinot Noir Fans May 26, 2020 The signature grape of Beaujolais, Gamay found a happy home in the Golden State. Here… -
Can California Zinfandel Get Its Groove Back? April 28, 2020 Zinfandel was a vital grape in the California wine boom, but where does it stand…
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Cebada 2017 Pinot Noir (Santa Ynez Valley) Dark cherry aromas meet with dried oregano, thyme and tangy plum-skin aromas on the nose… 89 Points $39
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Epiphany 2017 Hampton Vineyard Syrah (Santa Barbara County) Tar, wet leather and roasted black-plum aromas show on the nose of this bottling. The… 89 Points $37
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La Honda Winery 2019 Sauvignon Blanc (California) Green-apple, blooming jasmine and peach aromas show on the nose of this bottling, which is… 89 Points $26
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Black Kite 2017 Sierra Mar Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands) Seared lemon and sharp citrus-bomb flavors meet with tightly wound wood and yeasty sourdough aromas… 89 Points $48