Industry CEO joins SOWI committee

The Southern Oregon Wine Institute (SOWI) and Umpqua Community College proudly announce the appointment of Gordon Burns.

Burns currently serves as chief executive officer of ETS Laboratories and will be a key addition to SOWI’s advisory committee

“His 35 years of industry excellence will be an asset in guiding growth of the wine institute, just as his satellite lab operation on the UCC campus continues to be a valuable tool for assuring the quality of our local winemaking industry,” said advisory committee chairman Lee Paterson. “The timing couldn’t be better as we prepare to launch the SOWI wine incubator operation.”

Burns has been an active contributor to the world wine industry since he and his wife, Marjorie, founded their internationally renowned wine analysis lab in 1978 in St. Helena, Calif.  Since that time, Burns has maintained leadership roles with the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Association of Official Analytical Chemists, the American Society of Microbiology, the American Chemical Society, the American Council of Independent Laboratories, and others.

SOWI’s advisory committee is comprised of industry, community, and education professionals charged with guiding and directing program and operational development. 

SOWI Advisory Committee

Dwayne Bershaw, UCC/SOWI Administrator
Angela Chenoweth, UCC Ag Business Professor
Steve Renquist, OSU Extension Horticulturalist
Sean Breslin, UCC Science Professor
Toni Clough, UCC Business Professor
Wes Crawford, Sutherlin High School Agriculture Instructor
Jim Delfino, Delfino Winery Owner
Linda Donovan, Pallet Wine Co. Owner
Sandy Glaser, Glaser Estate Winery Owner
Scott Henry, Henry Estate Winery Owner
Earl Jones, Abacela Winery Owner
Chris Lake, SOWI Director
James Osborne, OSU Viticulture Professor
Lee Paterson, UCC Foundation Board
Luke Pedotti, Results Partners Vineyard Consultant
Vicki Westbrook, Blue Heron Vineyard Owner
Connie Williamson, KPIC Station Manager