Our Team
Matt Kochard
Matt experienced his first sip of 'fine wine' after college while living in San Francisco. The bottle from Saxum Vineyards was so intriguing that it prompted many subsequent visits to the great vineyards of Napa, Sonoma, and Paso Robles. A reading of Kermit Lynch's Adventures on the Wine Route was the final straw that led him down the path of wine-know, working his way from WSET Level 1 in Napa to completing Diploma in 2024 with Commonwealth Wine School. The journey prompted a career switch from finance into wine after earning his MBA from Dartmouth. Determined to understand the industry from multiple angles, Matt worked with a producer, retailer, and a négociant. Today, he runs Wine Cellar Advisory, a consulting firm serving private collectors and restaurants.
Matt teaches a wine economics course at Williams College and brings a practical approach to wine education, applying lessons from the industry to theory. He has tasted extensively through France, Italy, Germany and California, and is particularly drawn to wine's ability to connect languages, cultures, and people from around the world who share a similar passion. When he's not teaching or consulting, Matt can be found hiking and skiing with his wife throughout New England. He is available at mkochard@winecellaradvisory.com for wine-related inquiries.