The Wine Knows

Kerry Norton is the new top guy at Columbia Winery in Woodinville, Wash., announced as the director of winemaking this afternoon.

Norton has been making some fabulous (and inexpensive) wines for Columbia's sister winery, Covey Run, for the past several years, so we anticipate he will bring the same level of quality to Columbia.

Norton follows in the footsteps of David Lake, who came to Columbia Winery in 1979 and pioneered Syrah, Pinot Gris and vineyard-designated wines in Washington. Lake retired last year.

Before he came to Covey eight years ago, Norton was winemaker for Eola Hills Wine Cellars near Salem, Ore. He graduated from Oregon State University.

Taking Norton's place as winemaker for Covey Run is Kate Michaud, a native of the U.K. who has worked as a winemaker in Australia, New Zealand and California.