THE WINEMAKING TEAM

Kerry Norton joined Columbia Winery in early 2007 as Director of Winemaking.  Prior to joining Columbia Winery, Norton served as winemaker for Covey Run in Washington, where he spent eight years crafting highly acclaimed red and white wines.  Prior to Covey Run, Norton was winemaker at Eola Hills Wine Cellars in Oregon.  Norton received his Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science from Oregon State University and his Master’s degree in which he focused on acids and pH in Oregon grapes and wine.

Erik Hoins joined the Columbia Winery in 1994.  He served as a member of the cellar crew for several harvests and as cellarmaster until January 2001 when he was promoted to Associate Winemaker,  supervising the cellar staff, organizing and staffing crush.  In 2007, Erik was promoted to General Manager of Columbia Winery.Robert Takahashi joined Columbia Winery in 1991 and became Assistant Winemaker in 2004, managing the day-to-day winemaking decisions from harvesting the grapes to the finished wine.  Erik and Robert worked closely with David Lake  in the vineyards and winemaking for more than a decade and today they carry on with the pioneering and innovative spirit that defines Columbia Winery.

David Lake began his career in the wine industry in 1967 in England with the British wine shipper, Saccone and Speed.  In 1975 David became a Master of Wine and in 1979 he joined Columbia Winery.   David Lake led Columbia Winery to be the first winery in Washington State to release a series of vineyard-designated wines and the first to produce Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Gris in the state.  Described as the “Dean of Washington Winemakers” by both Wine Spectator and Decanter Magazine, David Lake retired in 2006 after a celebrated 27 years of making wine at Columbia Winery.