“I continue to be so grateful to the owner, head wine-maker and crew at Tamarack Cellars for truly taking me under their wings and giving me a hands-on education that is priceless.  This helping-one-another attitude you find in the wine industry is so refreshing and beneficial”

Matt Newbry

Owner/Winemaker

The allure of creating something of value by getting up at sunrise, working the soil and putting your blood-sweat-equity into a craft of your choosing was instilled in Matt at an early age while following his Grandfather around Newbry Orchards.  The fascination of winemaking was a seed planted by his father, as he recounted his stories of small-scale rudimentary wine-making. Those early winemaking “seeds” began to be cultivated when he took an enology class his senior year while attending Washington State University.

Yet Matt took the scenic route to fulfilling his passion with segways such as advocating for businesses while working at the Department of Commerce.  That’s when he met and married the love of his life, and the wine-making seed that was planted at an early age was realized with the support and enthusiasm from his new bride.  Making life-altering changes, he set a new course bringing him and his growing family back home to Talent, Oregon, where his family had been tilling the soil since the 1920’s. 

Since then, Matt worked seven harvests at Tamarack Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington while simultaneously completing his degrees in Viticulture and Enology.  “I continue to be so grateful to the owner, head wine-maker and crew at Tamarack cellars for truly taking me under their wings and giving me a hands-on education that is priceless.  This helping-one-another attitude you find in the wine industry is so refreshing and beneficial”.

Right out of the gate, Matt gravitated to crafting balanced and elegant cabernet sauvignon wines, but as Talent Cellars grows he looks forward to expressing his craft in other varietals.  So to all you white-wine lovers, stay tuned for future releases!

“The pure joy seen on my husband’s face when he ditched his suits for wine-stained carhartts' and t-shirts was priceless.  The pride in his face while he tends to his craft is even more precious.”

Janéa NEWBRY

Owner/General Manager

Janéa is no stranger to agriculture, as she grew up on a family farm where they raised horses, cattle and hay.  She was serving in the Washington State Senate, where she ironically chaired the committee that advocated for winery and small business issues, when she met and fell in love with her husband, Matt. 

When Matt shared his passion for wine making, Janéa excitedly embraced the change of pace and together they created the Talent Cellars vision.   Their vision included making exceptional wine and building a family winery where they could raise their two sons and provide them with the childhood experiences of getting-your-hands-dirty-hard-work and responsibility.  “The pure joy seen on my husband’s face when he ditched his suits for wine-stained carhartts' and t-shirts was priceless.  The pride in his face while he tends to his craft is even more precious.” 

It was a perfect transition for her to return to her agricultural roots and pursue their dream of establishing a family winery. The cherry on top was their ability to come home to Talent, Oregon where the Newbry family’s agricultural roots date back to the 1920’s.  Janéa continues to be Matt’s greatest advocate when it comes to pursuing his passion of crafting exceptional wine that captivates the palate and spirit. 

Makaio and Jax Newbry

Makaio Newbry, the eldest son of Matt and Janéa, is a surprising contributor in all family affairs.  Although just four years of age, Makaio is mighty in his contributions to the family winery.  There is no winery task too big or small that he won’t attempt to fulfill.  His natural ability towards all things wine-related argues for a genetic aptitude in the Newbry blood-line. 

Jax the youngest Newbry is all about following the footsteps of his father and out-doing his older brother.  His special talents include caring for the family dog, Kona, and tasting the fruit as it comes out of the vineyard.