Yamhill, Ore.—Erik Kramer is the new director of winemaking at WillaKenzie Estate winery in the Willamette Valley. Kramer has worked in winemaking in the Willamette Valley for 13 years and before coming to Oregon, he made wine in New Zealand where he earned his graduate degree in viticulture and winemaking from Lincoln University.

Kramer will be working with assistant winemaker Michael Caputo and enologist David Maas at WillaKenzie, which was acquired by Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Jackson Family Wines in 2016. “Erik’s tenure making prestigious wine here in the Willamette Valley, coupled with his unending pursuit of quality and scientific mind, make him a great fit,” said Eugenia Keegan, general manager of Oregon wineries, Jackson Family Wines, in a press release. “He also brings a curiosity for experimentation and obsession for site-specific wines that match our philosophy at WillaKenzie Estate. We’re incredibly enthused to have him on the team.”