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Community Corner

Owning Matthews Estate Winery A Family Affair

One son fell in love with wine on a European vacation, and now the Otis family's "fun" investment has led mom, dad and their three sons to full-time management of a rising Woodinville winery.

Most parents who bid their child adieu as he heads off to backpack through Europe on a post-college trip don’t anticipate it will end in a winery ownership because of said child’s journey. For parents Cliff and Diane Otis, that’s the short version of how they came to be involved with Matthews Estate.

The long version goes like this:

When Bryan Otis journeyed with friends on that 2002 trip, he joined the ranks of travelers who fall in love on such an adventure. Only the object of his affection was wine.

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“He came home from that (trip) just passionate about wine and food pairing, because he’d always liked to cook. So he thought ‘I want to somehow get involved in the wine world.’ That led him to working at Sea Star restaurant and going through the sommelier training and their wine program,” Diane said.

Bryan's flirtation with oenophilia led to his working at Matthews Estate, a small boutique winery in Woodinville.

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In 2004, when then-owner Matt Loso decided he needed investors, Byan saw an opportunity for his entire family. 

“We just kind of stumbled into it. We thought, ‘OK, hey, this sounds like fun.’ It wasn’t meant to have been any type of management role,” Diane said. “That was our first step into the winery business.”

But, in 2008, it did turn into a management role, when Loso sold the winery to the Otis family and the Rubstellos, who had been investors since 2001.

The management of the winery falls to the Otis family. You'd think the task of running a winery would be enough to keep a family busy. But all five family members have other careers, as well.

The parents wear the most hats, with Cliff overseeing operations at the winery much in the way he has been doing at for the past ten years. Diane manages the winery events and Estate House, the bed and breakfast on the winery's property. In addition she does accounting for the family's other business, Intand Corporation.

Bryan, 31, is the wine expert among the three sons. He also in handles most of the marketing and the winery's highly interactive website. Jeff, 29, is the social media maven and the one who comes up with the themes for the quarterly parties (he works full-time for Evergreen Capital in Bellevue). Scott, 27, spends most of his time at Intand with Bryan, but his computer skills bestow upon him the honorable role of IT support representative.

When it comes time for events, everyone helps out in an "all hands on deck" capacity.

I’m afraid there's no fodder for reality TV in the running of this family business (so long, Real Winemakers of Woodinville pitch idea...), this family is a real team.

“Fortunately we have had such a great relationship with our kids from the time they were growing up that we work very well together. We play well together, we work well together,” she said, noting that they strive to separate business from family emotions when disagreements do arise.

Any disagreements they may have along the way are overshadowed by the benefits of working together. Diane and Cliff can count on their sons’ input to make Matthews Estate relevant to the new generation of wine drinkers that is stepping onto the scene while also still catering to their established clientele.

Diane and Cliff may have had no idea their initial minority investment would lead them down this road, but the Otis family has thrown itself enthusiastically into the task of making Matthews a destination winery.

The calendar of events is impressive, featuring the weekly Friday Night Live in addition to frequent special events like cooking classes and themed parties that draw 150-plus guests. The Estate House, the original owner's house, was renovated into an event facility and Bed and Breakfast and sits on eight acres overlooking the Sammamish River Valley.

Whether you’re looking for a place to exchange your wedding vows, a wine-tasting stay-cation or somewhere to unwind after work on a Friday, Matthews Estate has grown into a location to consider. When you visit Matthews, you’ll feel like one of the family.

 

The calendar of events is impressive, featuring the weekly Friday Night Live in addition to frequent special events like cooking classes and themed parties that draw 150+ guests. The Estate House, the original owner's house, was renovated into an event facility and Bed and Breakfast and sits on eight acres overlooking the Sammamish River Valley.

Whether you’re looking for a place to exchange your wedding vows, a wine tasting mini stay-cation or somewhere to unwind after work on a Friday, Matthews Estate has grown into a location for you to consider and when you visit Matthews, you’ll feel like one of the family.

Here’s Woodinville Patch’s Guide to this week’s events, May 20 – May 26 New Releases
  • Adams Bench Winery,2008 The “V” cabernet sauvignon
  • William Church Winery, 2010 viognier
  • Northwest Totem Cellars, 2008 grenache
  • Page Cellars, 2007  syrah
  • Trouvaille Winery, 2008 cabernet sauvignon, 2008 The Hun
Special Events

Saturday, May 21

  • , 18580 142nd Ave NE, hosts a Winemaker Dinner that begins at 6:30 p.m. with your choice of participating in either a winemaker-led tour of the winery or a chef-led cooking demonstration. You will then enjoy a six-course meal paired with Covington Cellars wine. As a special treat, just prior to the entrée, the winemaker will take you to the barrel room for a sample straight from the barrel. Tickets cost $99 plus tax and gratuity and can be reserved by calling (425) 806-8636.
  • , 16116 140th Pl NE, is participating in a Corks and Canvas evening from 6 – 9 p.m. and the theme is Limes. Painting experience is not necessary. After tasting Matthew’s wines, you will be guided through each step to create your masterpiece. Wine will be available for purchase by the glass and bottle throughout the evening. Tickets cost $45 and are available online or cash-only at the door.  
Tasting Room Happenings

Month Long

  • is offering their complete portfolio of winery-only offerings for tasting during the month of May. Wednesday – Sunday noon – 5 p.m.
  • has set up picnic tables on the lawn outside the tasting room and invites you to bring your own picnic or enjoy one more weekend of gourmet hot dogs and sausages available for purchase from G & G Hot Dogs this Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, May 20

  • , 14465 Woodinville-Redmond Road, was selected to display one of 5 works of art made from wine barrels by Walla Walla artists before it joins the others in the Entwine Auction in June. The piece will be in the tasting room and gallery until May 25 from noon – 5 p.m. During its stay, you can taste Dusted Valley’s new releases along with the 2009 Wallywood.
  •  , 14525 148th Avenue NE, #111, is also displaying Barrel Art that will be auctioned off in June. You can see the piece on display in the tasting room until May 22 and enjoy a tasting of Otis Kenyon wines along with a few special treats.
  • , 16116 140th Pl NE, hosts Friday Night Live from 7 – 9 p.m. Gather your friends and head over to the tasting room for an evening of live music by local musician Rob Pearsall and enjoy glass pours starting at $6.
  • , 19495 144th Ave NE, Suite A100, is celebrating the release of its 2010 viognier with free tastings and tasty tidbits to accompany the lineup of current releases on Friday 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Saturday noon – 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 21

  • , 14360 160th Pl NE, is releasing its 2008 cabernet The “V”. The 2007 has been sold out for months, so now’s the time to restock. Come by between noon – 4 p.m.
  • , 19501 144th Avenue NW, Suite D300, is treating your sweet tooth by pairing blackberry truffles with 2005 merlot, chili pepper truffles with 2005 AVW blend and vanilla wafers with 2008 Harmony, a viognier/dry riesling blend. Passports welcome all month, come by between 1 – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
  • , 14450 Woodinville Redmond Rd, kicks off its Summer Concert Series with a live performance by local musician Andy Shofner. Grab a seat early, they fill up quickly, and enjoy wine and food specials from 5 – 9 p.m.
  • , 19501 144th Ave NE, Suite D700, is offering free bistro fare in the tasting room.
  • and Canon de Sol, 14450 Woodinville Redmond Road NE, Suite 108 and 107, invite you to join them on the patio between them for the second installment of their summer concert series. Glass and bottle specials available along with nibbles from 5 – 7 p.m.
  • , 15810 NE 136th Place, is releasing its 2008 grenache from noon – 4 p.m. Come by to secure your share, the last vintage sold out in three weeks.
  • , 19495 144th Ave NE, Suite B205, is celebrating the release of the 2007 Klipsun Vineyard syrah from noon – 4 p.m. with snacks, live music and, of course, wine.
  • , 16735 NE 139th Place, invites you to its Annual Release Party from noon – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Come in and try the 2008 cabernet sauvignon and 2008 The Hun along with food pairings from cheese and chocolate to puff pastry prosciutto pinwheels. There is no tasting fee for this event.

Tuesday, May 24

  • , 14421 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE, is offering a preview of the soon-to-be-released 2010 Doyenne rosé from 5 – 7 p.m. in the Carriage House Tasting House.

Wednesday, May 25

  • , 15608 NE Woodinville-Duvall Pl, hosts its weekly Wine Wednesday from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. This week is the return of Patterson Cellars. $15 gets you wine and appetizers.

Thursday, May 26 

  • , 14450 Woodinville Redmond Road NE, Suite 108, is extending its hours for Late Night Happy Hour from 5:30 – 7:30. You’ll enjoy glad and bottle specials along with light bites and live music.
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