Côte Bonneville Winery

Estate Grown

Traditional Winemaking & Cutting Edge Science

World Class Wines

Winemaking Team

Winemaking Team

Kerry Shiels, our daughter, is the winemaker for Côte Bonneville. Kerry received her Masters degree in Viticulture and Enology from U.C. Davis, then assumed the winemaker title in August, 2009. She has been immersed in our vineyard and winery since 2005, under Stan Clarke’s tutelage and Co Dinn’s mentorship.

After earning her Engineering degree from Northwestern University in Chicago, she worked for two years in Torino, Italy, in Fiat’s management development program. She was transferred to Case New Holland world headquarters in Chicago, working there for 18 months before deciding to enter the world of wine.

Kerry worked the 2006 vintage at Joseph Phelps Vineyards in Napa, the 2007 harvest at Tahbilk in Australia, followed by the 2007 vintage at Folio, Michael Mondavi’s Napa winery. During the 2008 harvest, Kerry served as the assistant white winemaker to Rich Arnold at Robert Mondavi Winery in Napa. She worked the antipodal havest at Tapiz in Argentina in 2010, then returned to work full time at Côte Bonneville.

Kathy Shiels is the foundation of our enterprise. Kathy and Hugh Shiels planted the DuBrul Vineyard in 1992. With the realization that DuBrul is a unique vineyard, Kathy determined to establish Côte Bonneville when their last child went to college. Kathy’s vision is to showcase the spectacular fruit in world-class wines.

Kathy and Hugh settled in Sunnyside after Hugh completed his orthopedic residency. Kathy practiced Physical Therapy, raised three beautiful children on the family farm, and now wears many hats at the winery, vineyard and medical practice.

Kathy and Hugh are the cellar workers of Côte Bonneville. Kathy spearheads the marketing and sales for Côte Bonneville, now ably assisted by winemaker Kerry. And Kathy is CFO for the winery, vineyard and medical practice.

Coman Dinn served as our founding technical consultant, bringing a wealth of experience from wineries in California and, since 1996, in Washington. A technically rigorous winemaker, he is also blessed with a remarkable palate. His efforts are now devoted to his job as director of wine production at one of the largest wineries in Washington State. Co earned a Bachelor’s degree from University of Texas, then his Master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology from U.C. Davis.

Stan Clarke directed the development of our DuBrul Vineyard from 1996 until his untimely death in November 2007. At the time of his death Stan was the Viticulture Coordinator at the Walla Walla Institute of Enology and Viticulture. During his 30 years in the Washington wine industry, Stan had performed every job imaginable, including viticulturist, winemaker, winery general manager, wine competition judge, and wine writer. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, he earned a second Baccalaureate degree from U.C. Davis in viticulture, then a Master’s degree in teaching from Washington State University.
Stan was the founding winemaker of Côte Bonneville. In addition to his extensive background on the winery side, he brought an impeccable palate, a focus on our loftiest goals, and his magical sense of humor.