I’ve known Matt since grade school. We competed against each other in multiple sports growing up before eventually teaming up on our high school basketball team. I’ll give myself a little credit, I was excellent at cheering him on from the bench.
Matt went on to play Division 1 basketball at UCLA and later competed professionally overseas in volleyball. He was always an elite athlete, driven, disciplined, and competitive.
Those same traits would later shape his success in business.
Building a Brand in the Competitive Wine Industry
After his playing days were over, Matt transitioned into entrepreneurship and founded McKinney Family Vineyards, located right here in our hometown.
The wine industry is incredibly competitive, especially in California. But Matt carved out his niche by focusing on quality, consistency, and building a premium brand. His wines reflect craftsmanship and attention to detail and he wanted his merchandise to do the same.
Why McKinney Family Vineyards Chose Leather Patch Hats
In 2021, Matt decided to try our custom leather patch hats and they were an instant hit.
For a winery producing premium wines, cheap promotional hats weren’t going to cut it. He wanted something that matched the quality of his product and elevated the brand experience for his customers.
We recommended the Richardson 112 trucker hat, one of the most versatile and popular styles on the market. It’s a universal fit that works for men and women and has become a go-to option for wineries, breweries, ranches, and outdoor brands.
Some of his favorite Richardson 112 colorways include:
- 112 Heather Grey/White
- 112 Loden/Black
- 112 Heather Grey/Charcoal/Maroon
He chose natural leather with natural stitching, allowing the leather patch to age beautifully over time, much like a fine bottle of wine. The result is a hat that looks even better with wear.
Premium Wine Deserves Premium Merchandise
Custom leather patch hats give wineries a retail-quality product they can proudly sell in their tasting rooms or online stores. They’re not just giveaways, they’re brand builders.
For McKinney Family Vineyards, the hats have become a natural extension of their premium image: authentic, timeless, and built to last.
On a personal note, Matt and I share the same birthday, just one year apart. We often joke about how similar we are in our entrepreneurial drive and approach to business. It’s been incredible to watch his journey from elite athlete to successful winery owner.
If you’re in the area, be sure to check out McKinney Family Vineyards on Instagram @mckinneyfamilyvineyards or visit them online at mckinneyfamilyvineyards.com.
And if you’re a winery, vineyard, or premium brand looking to elevate your merchandise, custom leather patch hats might be exactly what you’re missing.
