Blackboard

Brand Description

Blackboard combines Matthews Winery’s love for learning with their love of wine. That’s why each bottle provides schools with the tools and resources they need most. Every purchase of Blackboard wine supports student success through local, national, and international donations and partnerships. Matthews donates tens of thousands of dollars to organizations that support education and help those in need every year.

Location of Vineyard

Blackboard is made in Washington State’s Columbia Valley, a wine region unlike any other in the world. Here, 50,000 acres of vines stretch across 19 diverse AVAs to produce a broad range of thriving varietals. The result? Wines that are textured, vibrant, balanced, and complex.

Washington has nearly the same latitude as some of the top French and Italian winegrowing regions. Thanks to the long, sunny days and cool nights, Washington’s diurnal shift creates ideal temperatures for growing grapes. Contrary to the reputation of the Pacific Northwest, the valley only gets six inches of rainfall per year—as much as the Gobi Desert.

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

During the 2008 economic downturn, Soren Dietz headed to Walla Walla to embark on a new path and study Viticulture and Enology. After obtaining his degree, Soren worked harvests around the world. He was working at Faust in Sonoma when the devastating 2019 fires hit California. He turned his attention back to the Pacific Northwest, where Matthews Winery saw his potential. Matthews is thrilled to utilize his talents, and Soren enjoys applying his years of experience to producing high-quality, affordable Washington wines.