PROSSER — Collin Meharg has joined the staff of Thurston Wolfe Winery as assistant winemaker. Meharg joins co-owner and winemaker Wade Wolfe and assistant winemaker Chris Wright.  

Meharg, a graduate of Central Washington University, said he got interested in winemaking because of his interest in chemistry. 

“I was a teaching assistant in the lab at CWU for two years and that piqued my interest,” he said in a press release announcing his hiring. 

He likes almost any kind of wine, he said, but has a preference for wine that’s more acidic. 

“Love to explore new wines,” he said.  

A native of Longview, he graduated from CWU with bachelor’s degrees in general chemistry and global wine studies. He worked for a Prosser winery after graduation before moving to New Zealand for further study.

Winemaking, he said, in some ways is about wine management. 

“The wine makes itself,” he said. “We are just a friend to help it along the way.” 

Developing new wines and diagnosing wine as it matures are among the most rewarding parts of the wine business, he said. As for the future, he said he wants to develop wines that reflect the extensive traditions of wine, find old styles and improve on them. 

He worked as a lab technician Maryhill Winery and assistant winemaker for Cascade Cliffs Vineyard and Winery. In January he took the job at the Thurston Wolfe Winery. 

Wolfe opened his winery with his wife Becky Yeaman in 1987. Meharg said it’s been valuable to work for someone with Wolfe’s experience. 

“I do a lot of listening and learn something new every day,” he said. “I am very lucky to have this learning experience.”