Matt Weiss

Host/Creator

At the age of seventeen, Matthew Weiss was on a “Clark Griswold-esque” family vacation through the Relais & Châteaux of Southern France. On that trip, his father asked him to speak to the sommeliers and select the wines each night. Through those conversations, Matt discovered an affinity for food and wine.

During Matt’s senior year in college at NYU, he was inspired by Bobby D (aka Robert De Niro) and began studying acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. After graduating with a history degree, Matt moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. As the cliché goes, he earned his keep bartending. In 2004, Matt returned home to New York and worked for Joe Bastianich at his original NYC restaurant, Becco. Matt “cut his teeth” in Italian wine and was seasoned for a career in wine and beverage. Six months later, Hollywood lured him back to star in a play. Needing a day job, he became a wine specialist at Bristol Farms, gaining insight into the retail side of alcohol. He later worked at Café Del Rey in LA.

Matt’s passion for wine and beverage overtook his enthusiasm for acting, and one again, returned to NYC to study at the American Sommelier Association (ASA). There he received his first of two sommelier certifications, and later completed the certification level through the Court of Master Sommeliers. Matt was then prepared to work for a who’s who of Michelin-starred restaurants and NYC chefs, such as David Bouley, Christopher Lee and Laurent Tourondel. Matt was best known for running BLT Prime’s wine and beverage program.

After 10 plus years of working in bars and restaurants, Matt seized the opportunity to work at the pinnacle of wine sales and marketing with Wilson Daniels, the renowned importer of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Furthering his passion for wine, he served as an adjunct professor at the ASA to teach burgeoning sommeliers. Prior to heading down south, Matt ran the sales team for Baron Francois, a NYC based importer and distributor of fine wine and craft spirits.

Smitten by the charm of southern hospitality and expecting a little Weiss on the way, Matt and his 33-week pregnant wife packed up their 600 square foot NYC apartment and two dogs to move to the Triangle. Seeing the rise of craft spirits and foodie enthusiasm, Matt was eager to become part of the Triangle’s rising F&B family. Tapping into his passion for fine wine, Matt is currently a wine distributor, selling in the Triangle of North Carolina.

TV Appearances

Wines to set the romantic Valentines mood

Love is in the air—and so is great wine. Earlier this month, Matt shared his top 5 Valentine's Wine Picks on WPIX in New York, featuring bottles perfect for romance, celebration, and indulgence. From elegant bubbles to bold reds, these wines are guaranteed to set the mood for a special night.

3 Must-Try Wines for The Big Game

Game Day Wines with Matthew Weiss on CBS17 My Carolina. Looking for the perfect wines to enjoy during The Big Game this weekend? Watch as Matthew Weiss shares three incredible picks, each with a unique connection to these teams on the field:

  • Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco: A bold and bubbly crowd-pleaser

  • Tyrrell's Hunter Valley Sémillon – A nod to Australia's own Jordan Mailata

  • Gai’a Agiorgitiko – A Greek red with ties to George Karlaftis

Exploring Washington state Wines

Exploring Washington State Wines with CBS17 My Carolina, Matthew Weiss dives into the incredible world of Washington State wines.

Matt’s top 3 Thanksgiving Wines

Looking for the perfect wines to elevate your Thanksgiving feast? In this segment on My Carolina on CBS 17, Matthew Weiss shares his top 3 Thanksgiving wine picks to pair with your holiday spread. Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or an intimate dinner, these wines are sure to impress your guests and complement everything on the table, from turkey to stuffing.