Matt Zuchero, son of Wineworks founder Dave Zuchero, will head up winery operations at Tin Lizzie Wineworks starting this summer. Matt, who has worked at several major wineries in Napa and Sonoma, CA, as well as in New Zealand, will take over responsibilities for winery operations, including winemaking, cellar management and laboratory activities.
“I’m thrilled to be able to bring my winemaking experience to Tin Lizzie Wineworks,” said Matt. “I can’t wait to work with the team and the clients to make outstanding wines this summer, and for years to come. I loved working at the Wineworks when I was younger so I’m excited to come back as its winemaker.”
“Having Matt on board is going to up our game,” said Dave Zuchero, head winemaker and lead instructor of the award-winning winemaking school. “I’m really looking forward to working with him and learning from him.”
Matt has worked at several wineries in California, including Benziger Family Winery, a biodynamic winery, Emeritus Vineyards, which specializes in Pinot Noir, and The Wine Foundry, a custom crush facility. He also worked as the assistant winemaker at Passage Rock Winery on Waiheke Island in New Zealand. Matt is the head winemaker at a new start-up venture created by him and his father called Zucchero Family Winemakers. Matt’s first release under this label will be available in Maryland this summer. Matt has an MS degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California Davis, the foremost winemaking school in the country and an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Occidental College, in Los Angeles.
Dave Zuchero will continue in his role as head winemaker and instructor, guiding clients through the winemaking process. Dave has been making wine for over 50 years and is the third of four generations of winemakers in his Italian American family. He is a microbiologist and has a certificate in winemaking from the University of California at Davis.