This interview is with Eric & Lorrie Normann, longtime vineyard owners and wine industry professionals who own Viking Vineyard. In this interview, they share how they unexpectedly entered the wine industry, built their vineyard, and developed careers in Oregon wine and vineyard real estate.
Eric grew up in Minnesota and Washington and worked for the Springfield Utility Board from the time he was in high school. Lorrie was born in Eugene and originally planned to attend law school. The two met in their early 20s through a mutual friend and married within the year. Although neither had experience in the wine industry, a visit to a vineyard listed for sale changed their lives. In 1997, they purchased the property that would become Viking Vineyard and learned how to manage the vineyard with help from a neighboring grower.
Lorrie became involved in the wine business through Sweet Cheeks Winery, which she helped start with friend Dan Smith. She later worked as a part-time wine club manager at LaVelle Vineyards, where she realized there was no such thing as a part-time job in the wine industry. Eric continued working in the utility industry before joining Lorrie in building their vineyard business. Together, they purchased Domaine Meriwether in 2012 and renamed it Valhalla in 2013, reflecting the Viking theme behind their vineyard.
Today, Lorrie works real estate, specializing in vineyard and winery properties. Her experience allows her to help clients navigate the process of purchasing vineyards and wineries and turning them into successful businesses. Through their experiences as vineyard owners and wine industry professionals, Eric and Lorrie have built a life around Oregon wine and continue to share their knowledge of the wine industry.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Viking Vineyard in Veneta, Oregon on September 28, 2026.
What is The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast?
The Oregon Wine History Archive at Linfield University was created to collect, preserve, share, and continue the narrative of Oregon wine.
The growth of the Oregon wine industry extends from the farmers and winemakers to the marketers, scientists, innovators, and dreamers of the enterprise — all of whom are vital to the industry’s success. It is our aim to link the past, present, and future of the industry in hopes of sharing the story of Oregon wine.
Some oral history interviews are conducted on site and may contain background noise from nature, winery, or tasting room operations.