Matt Spiess, a Nashville native and cider enthusiast, discovered his passion for cider after moving to Seattle, where the vibrant cider scene ignited his enthusiasm. Years later upon returning to Tennessee, he was disappointed by the lack of cider options available in the local market at the time and decided to take matters into his own hands using his brothers’ old brewing equipment. Over the past decade, Matt has both educated himself in cider production through advanced coursework as well as transformed his home garage into what he refers to as “The Nashville CiderHouse”, hosting a highly anticipated annual event that showcases 10 to 20 unique ciders, accompanied by food and music.

Now, Matt is thrilled to be Tennessee’s first Certified Pommelier, a title that underscores his dedication to expanding the cider culture in Music City and beyond. With this certification, he’s even more committed to sharing his knowledge and passion for all things cider, eager to educate and introduce people to exceptional ciders from across the states and around the world.