The Material Review

Issue 006: The Big Q&A With Matt Morris.

Michael Williams and The Material Review

Jun 22, 2024

THE BIG Q&A WITH MATT MORRIS

Matt Morris is a photographer and winemaker based in California. As far as we’re concerned he’s setting the standard for cool guy stuff in 2024.

It’s rare when a guy you might know from Instagram actually lives up to the hype. Matt Morris is that guy. His creativity, taste level and sense of adventure far exceeds his online persona. He inspires us to take better pictures, work harder, eat more deliciously and travel further. We chatted with him for our first big interview. Hope you like it.

TMR: What’s a memorable recent purchase you’ve made?

Matt Morris: A Milkman Creamer guitar amplifier in a custom mid century walnut finish, an item I am completely unqualified to own, but makes me very happy and sounds absolutely incredible. That said, I almost never have any time or occasion to play the guitar, which is why it helps that it looks gorgeous when not turned on.

What's an everyday camera you love?

The majority of my photo work is shot on digital cameras, which is why I shoot film in my personal life so it doesn’t feel like work. I picked up a black Contax T3 back in 2015 and it’s been in the pocket of my jeans every single day since. Since then, they have gotten silly expensive so I’d recommend an Olympus MJU-ii with the 35mm f2.8 lens for a similar experience with a friendlier price tag.

You seem to know about all of the good places. Can you tell us a recent favorite restaurant, winery or hotel you would recommend?

Thank you! I think the key to this is getting recommendations from people who make and do, instead of those who consume and critique. It helps you cut through hype and marketing and identify the real deal.

The Harbor House Inn is the most magical spot in California, it counts both as hotel (11 rooms) and 2 Michelin star restaurant. The food is hyper-local, hyper-specific, and hyper-personal to Chef Matthew Kammerer. It’s also in one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever visited, with an incredible view and private cove down a few hundred wooden steps.

My other favorite restaurant is Bell’s in Los Alamos. Greg and Daisy have become dear friends over the years of me constantly popping up at the counter. The experience is always elevated and delicious but not fussy, and overall just lots of fun. Everyone who works there loves being there and makes sure everyone is having a good time. Always worth the trip. It’s a bonus if I can pair that with staying at the Ojai Valley Inn.

For those visiting Napa, Charlie’s is the new hot spot in town for the locals. It’s tucked down an alleyway, in the old Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen space, and run by French Laundry alum Elliot Bell. Make sure you order the Seafood Party.

It’s hard to top Scribe Winery in Sonoma for a picturesque wine country experience. Napa has a few amazing ultra-luxury wineries, but few great spots that you can take your friends for a low key afternoon and never want to leave. I always take friends visiting to the Haçienda for a long and leisurely tasting followed by dinner at Valley in Sonoma afterwards.

Loveski Deli in Napa and Marin is pretty special. A Jewish deli from my buddy Christopher Kostow, a 3 Michelin Star chef. There’s something perversely enjoyable about eating a pastrami sandwich or a pizza bagel from a chef of his caliber, and good bagels have been sorely lacking in NorCal.

I’m currently in LA staying at the Vitorrja Hotel from the Gjelina group. It’s a block from the ocean and beautifully decorated, it has the “In Residence” vibe I like about a smaller hotel. But I’m really here because I love Gjusta, the bakery and deli a few blocks from the hotel. It’s a must-stop whenever I’m on the west side of town, so the fact that Vitorrja has the kitchenettes stocked with fresh Gjusta bread and provisions (wine, olives, hummus, cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables) puts it over the top.

ID your carry-on bag?

I travel so much, but almost exclusively by car, bouncing back and forth between the Napa Valley and Los Angeles. My go-to Weekender bag is from a collaboration between my friend Nadine Strittmatter, a model and equestrian, and Le Kasha. Nadine is a pro traveller, and she made a gorgeous bag that’s just the right size (a little larger than your average weekender as most of my trips are 3-5 days) and has a perfect pocket for my laptop. It’s always by my front door, half packed and ready to go at a moments notice.

What is something you’ve had your eye on?

Each time I become enamored with an object, it’s because I’ve invented an ultra-specific hypothetical scenario in my mind to support the fantasy that I very much need, not want, that thing. I’m traveling to Italy this month for the first time and will be visiting Capri. I have concocted this dream of swimming in the ocean, but needing to meet my friend Daria for a Negroni at 5 pm, so clearly I need a dive watch that has an alarm: enter the Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Memovox. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t even hear the alarm over the sound of the ocean, but let’s ignore that.

Without being creepy, can you share a screenshot of your IG “For You Page”?

It’s probably sandwiches.