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Viticulturist Matt Chobanian was heading to the Caribbean for early retirement until a
meeting with his childhood hero, NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, changed
the course of his life.
Richard and his partner Greg Johns have tapped
Matt for the position of vineyard manager at Childress
Vineyards, North Carolina's signature winery in the Yadkin Valley appellation at the
crossroads of Highways 52 and 64 in Lexington, NC.
Matt has directed the planting of nine varieties
of premium European Vitus Vinifera cultivars spread
over 65 acres at Childress Vineyards. Varietals of
Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah and
Sangiovese cover the gravely, clay soil of three
separate vineyards under Matt's care: Richard's
Hampton Estate in Davidson County;
the Vineyard Crossing at Childress Winery in
Lexington; and Gianni Vineyards near Greg's
home in Summerfield.
Matt has developed a unique trellis system which he is employing throughout the
terroir at Childress Vineyards to lengthen the "hang time" of the grapes on the vine.
Winemaker and General Manager Mark Friszolowski says this system will give Childress
Vineyards the ability to ripen grapes more fully than others, improving the flavor profile
at the end of the growing cycle.
"It will be the difference between no medal and a gold medal," said Mark.
Both Mark and Matt are recognized viticultural experts on the East Coast.
Mark, one of America's most award-winning winemakers, came from Pindar
Vineyards in Long Island, N.Y., and Matt left his post as vineyard manager of
Ingleside Plantation Vineyards in Oak Grove, Va., to join Childress Vineyards.
Matt has been growing grapes commercially since 1982. He received a degree in
plant and soil science from West Virginia University, Morganton, in 1987 and became
production manager at Westmoreland Berry Farm in Oak Grove, Va., where he raised
grapes and a host of other fruit crops. Matt grew grapes for several high profile
clients including telecommunications entrepreneur Alan Voorhees and Virginia Governor
Mark Warner before vineyard consultant Joyce Rigby found him for Richard and Greg.
Matt, who had turned down vineyards from Napa, Sonoma and San Joaquin, is
delighted for the opportunity to stay on the East Coast and build Childress Vineyards.
"I like to be very hands on and that's not the lifestyle of a vineyard manager on the
West Coast," Matt said.
Working with Matt as assistant vineyard
manager is 22-year-old Max Ferrell from
Thomasville, NC, who will aid in
construction and maintenance.
Matt, 41, describes himself as a
NASCAR fan "since 1969 when Richard
got into racing and fan of the late Dale
Earnhardt from the get go." His only regret
about eschewing retirement to work with
Childress Vineyards is the lack of time to
enjoy the races. "Now that I'm working for
Richard, I can hardly keep up with the
races," he says.
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