Meet The Team
Get to know the beasts behind your favorite wines.
Matthew Check
Head Winemaker, Co-Founder
At the heart and soul of Cellar Beast Winehouse is our award winning Head Winemaker and creator of the wine Dark Angel, Matt Check. There’s no doubt that our wines would not be renown if it weren’t for Matt's masterful technique. A Level IV Sommelier (Wine School of Philadelphia) and former athlete; his energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Ask Matt about his specialty, Carménère, he has made quite a name for himself making amazing wine with a grape that has been all but forgotten. For years Matt has been working with grapes from South America, California, & Washington.
Matt's signature wine "The Dark Angel" won Double Gold, Best in Class and scored an impressive 97 points at the 2023 Sunset International Competition in Sonoma, CA, as well as Double Gold at The Concours d'Vin 2023 Competition.
Brian Crew
Winemaker
Adding knowledge, professionalism, and hints of humor to Cellar Beast Winehouse is one of our award winning winemakers and the creator of the wine Gold Medal winner Bordeaux style blend Midnight Archer, Brian Crew. There is no question that our superb wine quality relies on Brian’s attention to detail. Brian was trained in Wine Tasting/Analysis through UC Davis, holds a certificate as an Oregon Wine Expert, and is a certified Sommelier through the Wine School of Philadelphia. As a former entertainer he is always eager to share wine and knowledge in a unique and often unorthodox way. For years Brian has worked with grapes from South America, California, & Washington.
Brian's signature wine "The Midnight Archer" 2021 Vintage won Gold at the Great American International Wine Competition in 2023!
Mark Pagliaro
Winemaker
Mark Pagliaro resides in Doylestown PA where he has been making wine in his family winery for over 16 years. Mark is a passionate award winning winemaker and in 2011 he decided to expand his knowledge in the science of winemaking by enrolling in a world renowned enology program at the University of California, Davis, where he graduated and received his winemaking certification in March of 2013. In the fall of 2013 he became a member of the winemaking team at Stone & Key Cellars in Montgomeryville, PA working with fruit from South America, California, and Washington and even began providing consulting services to local wineries in Eastern PA. Mark recently joined the winemaking team at Cellar Beast Winehouse during their inaugural vintage and opening of a new winery in Andreas PA in 2021. Mark continues to consult with local wineries and home winemakers. He brings passion and commitment to learning and making quality wines, and particularly enjoys annual visits to Napa and Sonoma Valley wineries. Mark's signature blend called "Grand Mélange" a Right Bank Bordeaux style red blend using Scootney Flats Vineyard, Red Mountain, Washington grapes won a Silver Medal in the Great American International Wine Competition in 2023. In 2023 Mark began our first ever Zinfandel program at Cellar Beast, stay tuned for details! Also be sure to stay tuned to special events at the winery where Mark joins the team in tastings, his wide range of wine experience and knowledge is incredible to witness!
Aaron Francis
Andreas Tasting Room Manager & Head Sommelier
Aaron Francis is a visual artist, sculptor, printmaker, designer, and co-creator of Lone Folk Studio. His work seeks to combine the intangible ceremonial experience of the act of making, with the purely tangible and tranquil beauty of raw materials. Aaron draws inspiration from the channels of the ritualistic mind through the refinement of natural elements, and celebrates the harmony that may be found within. He specializes in the sacredness of color, the balance of design, the translation of dreamscapes, and the symbolic peace that may be brought to a space. Behind all of Aaron’s work lies a deep devotion to the mindful aesthetic. His passion for art shows through in his enthusiastic presentation of Cellar Beast wine and the art behind the process. When not leading a guided tasting with customers you'll find him behind the scenes working side by side with the winemaking team increasing his knowledge in every part of the process. In 2022 he got to be intimately involved in our Primitivo project and something tells us this is just the beginning.
Alicia Steigerwalt
Commercial Sales Manager
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More information coming soon . . .
For Commerical Sales Inquiries contact Alicia@CellarBeastWine.com
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Erika Assise-Kelly
Associate Winemaker
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Erika began her career as a teacher and from there moved on to work as a beauty & wellness specialist. Now, she has finally found her calling in the world of wine.
She got her start in the industry working with the PLCB as a wine specialist but wanted more of behind-the-scenes investigation into the craft. This led her to working at a local winery in Montgomery County, PA with the current winemakers. As she began to see the work and dedication that went into winemaking, she fell in love with the process. Through self-study and wine tasting with the team, Erika realized that hers was not only a passion for wine, but a resounding need to be involved in its creation. Her love for the art behind every bottle has taken her from tasting room representative to Associate Winemaker here at Cellar Beast.
Working on the Pinot Noir Program (which also happens to be her favored varietal) meant a lot to Erika as 2021 was the first year the winemaking team was able to secure fruit from sought after region of Willamette Valley, Oregon. Working with this tricky grape was excellent training and preparation for her as she is currently interning on the west coast in beautiful Sonoma, California.
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The Team In Charge of your Wine Experience
The people you'll see in Andreas, Easton, at events, or are hidden behind the scenes.
Without these folks we would have never reached you with these wines and ciders. They give you the experience, not just the product.
