Matt Licklider

A late bloomer, Matt had his wine epiphany during the winter of 1995 while waiting tables in Aspen, Colorado to support a ski habit. It was a blind taste of Chambolle Musigny and the eloquent comments of Master Sommelier Damon Ornowski that sent him reeling. In short order Matt went to work for Boulder-based, boutique wine distributor, The Maxwell Company where he soon became the leading sales person.

In 1999 Matt was recruited by Napa-based Italian wine importer Dalla Terra. He preached the gospel in California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and Colorado and traveled annually to Italy to better understand the growers he represented back in the states. He discovered Barbaresco, Chianti Classico, and truffles.

In 2001, North Berkeley Imports made Matt an offer he could not refuse: to represent several of the classiest French and Italian producers on U.S. shores. He joined the team and went on to become NBI’s lead sales person. Matt continued to cross the pond every year for education and inspiration. Burgundy bit down hard.

In 2004, Matt handed off the baton and traveled to Asia for a fresh perspective. After the tsunamis of December 2004, Matt and three other volunteers raised the money needed to rebuild a decimated village in southern Thailand. He spent four months in Phuket wearing a hard hat, eating green curry, and incubating the concept that would become LIOCO.

In August of 2005, Matt co-founded LIOCO with friend and colleague, Kevin O’Connor. Matt lives in San Francisco with his significant other, Anneka. Wine aside, his passions include music, yoga, surfing, and cooking dinner with friends.