Erik McLaughlin serves as CEO of Metis llc, where he has provided M&A advisory and consultancy to the US wine industry since 2016.  Erik has been named one of the Top 50 Wine Industry Leaders in the world by Wine Business Monthly. Erik has successfully completed over fifty transactions in the wine industry including sales, acquisitions, recapitalizations, and mergers. Erik also consults privately for some of the country’s leading wineries. 

Prior to Metis, Erik served in senior management roles for Seven Hills Winery, Corliss Wine Estates, Willamette Valley Vineyards, and Cost Plus World Market. He also previously owned and operated a collection of award-winning restaurants. With three decades of experience in fine wine and hospitality, Erik’s unique combination of operational experience, global industry connections, and transactional expertise helps clients maximize exit value and probability.

Erik has been extensively involved in industry groups including the Oregon Wine Board, Washington Wine Industry Foundation, Oregon Winegrowers Association, Washington Wine Commission, Idaho Wine Commission, Walla Walla Valley Wine, Washington Winegrowers Association, and the American Association of Wine Economists. Erik served on the steering committees for both the Beverage Business Management Program at Washington State University and the Wine Studies program at Linfield College. He has served on numerous public, private, and non-profit boards including the Walla Walla Planning Commission, Washington Wine Industry Foundation, Vital Wines, Walla Walla Valley Baseball Club, Oregon Wine Board marketing committee, and Saint Basil Academy. Erik has taught and lectured widely on the business of wine including at the Wine Industry Financial Symposium, Oregon Wine Symposium, Washington Winegrowers Convention, and the London Wine Fair. He has been a guest instructor at both the Institute for Viticulture and Enology at Walla Walla Community College the Wine Studies program at Linfield University.

Erik graduated cum laude from Linfield University. Erik and his wife Jennifer have four children. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, coaching youth sports, and sharing great wine with friends.