“We have a very special community.”

Daniel Eacrett (DE): Can you please update me on some basic information: date of EV graduation, current employer and position, social media handles, preferred contact details? 
Lizzy Sherry (LS): I graduated in June of 2023. My current employer is the Walla Walla Community College Enology and Viticulture program.  I am the Instructional Tech for all classes in the Enology and Viticulture program. 
Facebook: Lizzy Sherry   
Instagram: @lizzysherry 

 DE: How did you get into wine? 
LS: By accident. I had been working in tv and film production for six years. I was living in Atlanta when Covid shut down our production. I moved back to Walla Walla to hang out with my mom and wait for productions to come back. In the interim, I worked my first harvest at Northstar Winery. I really fell in love with what I was doing and it was a welcomed relief from a very stressful set life. I asked about going back to work in LA and my friends told me to take a break for as long as I was able. It was suggested to look into the Enology and Viticulture Program, so I enrolled in the summer of 2021.   

DE: Is there someone in the EV world that you admire, including fellow EV alums? 
LS: Too many to mention. Although I do admire David Merf who is the head winemaker at Northstar and the Cellar Master Clint Vance. They set the tone for how I feel a winery should be organized and run: efficiently, tight and clean. I have carried that with me throughout my short career.   

DE: What’s special to you about working in the wine industry? 
LS: The community here in Walla Walla! If you know you know.  😊 

DE: What is your favorite part of your job? 
LS: When students are appreciative of what you are teaching them, and seeing how successful they become. 

DE: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in the industry? 
LS: Previous to my position now, I felt underutilized in my last two positions in the wine industry.   

DE: What do you think differentiates and excites you about Washington wine? 
LS: Washington wines are still fairly new to the industry. I think we have a very special community. We like to make wine from varieties that most people would pass up: Carménère, Petit Verdot, and Cab Franc. 

DE: How do you foresee climate change or social issues affecting the local industry in the next few years? 
LS: Climate change could affect agriculture and tourism through weather events, irregular rain patterns, and increased temperatures. I think economic inequalities are the biggest social issue in the local wine industry. 

DE: What are some up-and-coming trends in wine that you’re following? 
LS: So many things. Climate change, non-alcoholic beverages, sparkling wines, and smaller unknown varieties.   

DE: What advice can you share with future EV graduates? 
LS: Get as much as you can out of the EV program.  What you put into your education is what you will get out of it. Spend as much time at school and learning everything you can. Get involved in the local community in Walla Walla. Attend events, volunteer to pour at events, go to industry nights, meet your local winemakers and ask them as many questions as you possibly can.