A passion for winemaking is the spirit behind Fuil Wines. The wines are as much about refinement and restraint as they are about expression. Founded by Matt and Carolina Espiro Jaeger, Fuil Wines is rooted in crafting wines that showcase Santa Barbara County’s extraordinary terroir. Fuil produces elegant, layered, and quietly compelling wines. Shaped by the region’s cool-climate vineyards and long growing season, the wines offer vibrant acidity, complexity, and remarkably low alcohol levels without sacrificing depth or character. Winemaker Matt Jaeger describes his philosophy as creating wine with “old world structure and new world flavors,” a balance that feels especially fitting here, where European inspiration meets the bright fruit and energy of California’s Central Coast.
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Matt Jaeger
One would not think that growing up in Wisconsin would lead Matt to pursue a career in wine. When we think of Wisconsin, we think of Pabst beer, cheese curds, and brats, even though it now has a budding wine region. Back then, it did not. It was Matt’s father who planted the wine bug in Matt’s head when he decided to take a wine appreciation class. As Matt watched his father analyze wine, he became intrigued and has been captivated ever since. His career started in acting, but he has since pivoted to his passion for winemaking.
Like his time in the entertainment industry, where he tells stories, Matt likes to tell his story of wine. That story began when his wife gave him a trip to Santa Barbara County for his birthday. trip gave him the opportunity to work at Demetria. Having grown up in a farm county, Matt loves working the soil. After that trip, Matt told his wife, “I want to make wine,” and her response was, “Well, it’s about time.” From that point, Matt interned at wineries and took classes at UC Davis. His mentor, Dusty Nabors, was his landlord, and Matt was Dusty’s cellar rat.
Matt prides himself on showcasing Santa Barbara County as one of California’s coolest regions. He picks the grapes early to keep alcohol levels lower, preserve acidity, and emphasize the wine’s earthy and spicier notes. Barrel fermentation with native yeast is part of the process. Ultimately, Matt’s goal is to produce beautiful wines that accentuate their aromas and flavors.
When meeting Matt, you are likely to spot him first by his signature fedora. With his red hair, fair skin, and unmistakably Irish features, he has a distinctive presence that reflects the individuality and character of his wines and explains why he wears the fedora.
Fuil Wines: Two Labels, Two Distinct Wine Experiences
Fuil’s first harvest was in 2021. Today, Fuil consists of two labels: the reserve black label, which features single-varietal wines or what Matt calls “When you want to make the night about the wine,” and the white label, which features wines that Matt considers “When you want to make the wine about the night,” highlighting the social aspect of wine enjoyment.
Two wines on the white label are blends called Rua, which stands for “red” or “gingerhead”. The other is Bán, which means ‘pale-skinned’ or ‘white’. I think both these wines not only describe the wine but also Matt himself.
What’s In A Name – Fuil Wines
The name Fuil means lifeblood in Irish Gaelic and fool in modern Scots. They chose the name to honor Matt’s Gaelic background. Matt and Carolina often reminisce about how foolhardy they were to get into the wine business, yet wine has always been part of their lives since the day they met. For me as a writer, wine is a lifeblood that brings us together as we share our lives over a glass. At the same time, it is the lifeblood of the Central Coast and of the vineyards from which Matt sources his grapes.
The Vineyards
Currently, Matt sources grapes from vineyards that practice organic, sustainable, or biodynamic farming. Those vineyards are J & K Vineyard, located in Ballard Canyon. The grapes sourced from this vineyard are Viognier, Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvédre.
The other vineyard he chose, for its sandy loam soils, is Kaerskov in the Los Olivos District. The grapes grown here are Viognier, Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvédre.
Fuil is beginning to source some grapes from Demetria Estate and Vogelzang Vineyard.
Fuil Wines
During a LA Wine Writers wine-tasting luncheon at Lunetta in Santa Monica, we tasted five Fuil Wines, all of which were excellent.
Brea 2025 Sauvignon Blanc: I am not typically a fan of Sauvignon Blanc, but this wine was the exception. I found a delightful, citrusy example of the variety from Sta Rita Hills.
Reserve Viognier 2024: The process of making this Viognier is a little different. The grapes are stomped with some stem inclusion, are whole-cluster, undergo native fermentation, and are aged for 6 months in neutral barrels. Some of this process is done in the sun. Dominant aromas and flavors of honeysuckle prevail.
Solas Nua 2025: This wine was an experiment that stuck. Its name means new light. It is one of my favorites for its light, fruit-forward profile, made from leftover Viognier (about 15%) and Mourvédre. Matt calls it his dining table blend. It uses whole-cluster grapes and native fermentation. It can be served chilled or at room temperature.
Rau 2023: This wine is a blend of Grenache and Syrah from Ballard Canyon. I found it to be a dry red wine.
Syrah 2022 Syrah. I found a smooth, cool-climate Syrah blended with a morsel of Viognier and Mourvédre. The wine exudes cherry and white pepper. The grapes are processed whole-cluster and aged for 18 months in 1/3 new French oak, followed by 2 years in the bottle.
The Future
At Fuil, there will be some major changes in the coming year. Matt and Carolina will take over the Camarillo space where they make their wines. At some point in 2027, they will open their own tasting room at their winery.
Tasting Fuil Wines Today
Fuil has a monthly pop-up at Black Market Liquor Bar. The weekend for the pop-up varies by month, so check the Fuil event calendar.
The Heart and Soul of Fuil Wines
Fuil Wines may be a young label, but Matt and Carolina Espiro Jaeger have established a distinctive perspective on their cool-climate wines, one that truly honors Santa Barbara County. As Fuil prepares to open its own facility with a tasting room, the future looks bright. Whether you are drawn to the elegance of the reserve wines or the exploratory spirit of the white-label, Fuil offers each of us a reminder that great wine is not only about what is in the glass, but also about the stories, people, and moments it brings together.
Note: As is common in the travel and wine industry, the wines for the luncheon were hosted. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure.
Featured image: J+K Vineyard courtesy of Fuil Wines