Matthew Conway is the owner, operator, and sommelier at The Tippling House in Charleston’s Elliotborough neighborhood. The Tippling House is an intimate wine bar set in a Charleston Single house that Mr. Conway renovated to preserve its historic feel from when it was built in the late 1800’s. The daily wine list is printed and dated every day highlighting a global selection of bottles produced by families that respect the land they farm and the history of their domaines. All of the wines are available by the half bottle and are offered with a seasonal menu featuring wine-friendly small plates and entrees by Chef Micah Pearson. Conway also offers “Matthew’s Stash” which is a list of fine and rare wines from the best vintages and producers sourced from his personal cellar. Matthew prides himself on having created a wine bar that caters to all wine lovers regardless of taste or budget.
Mr. Conway moved to Charleston, South Carolina in March of 2020 after 17 years in New York City and 14 years as partner and beverage director at Restaurant Marc Forgione. Conway, a native Californian, moved to NYC in 2004 where he worked for the late Chef Gray Kunz at Café Gray in the Time Warner center from 2004-2007. In 2008 he became the general manager and wine buyer for Restaurant Marc Forgione in TriBeCa, before eventually becoming partner. In 2010 he took a short leave to work in the world-famous cellars of Taillevent in Paris, France. After returning in the fall of 2010 Restaurant Marc Forgione received one Michelin Star. Shortly thereafter, Matthew became a certified coffee sommelier, was honored as one of Zagat’s “30 Under 30” in 2012 and named one of Star Chefs “Rising Star Sommeliers” of 2015. Matthew has consistently been a featured sommelier at several of the top wine events of the year including but not limited to La Paulée and La Fête du Champagne. Matthew now holds partnership at La Tablée which focuses on the Northern Rhône Valley which Matthew is nationally recognized as a leading industry expert on.
Since opening The Tippling House in October 2021, his team has received glowing coverage from Wine Spectator, Food & Wine magazine and Charleston City Paper. In 2004 The Tippling House was named a ‘Top wine bar, according to the pros.” By Food and Wine Magaine. The Post & Courier named Matthew and his fiancé Carissa Hernandez a Charleston “Food and Beverage Power Couple” in February of 2022. He resides in downtown Charleston with Carissa and their two Pekingese Devlin and Zuccy.
