Erin Norton, director of the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute, is the recipient of the staff 2026 Creative Impact Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. Under her direction, MGWII has broadened analytical services, expanded training opportunities, and increased its outreach to growers, winemakers and allied businesses across the state. Norton has also launched a winery and cidery and played a pivotal role in expanding the brewing science program.
Norton created a small winery in the Food Sciences Building, where award-winning wines are made from cold-hardy grapes grown at Iowa State's Horticulture Research Station. This past year, she also launched the Iowa State University Cidery, introducing two hard ciders using fruit produced at the horticulture farm. She extended MGWII's expertise into the expanding brewing science program, launching an initiative to package Iowa State beers in cans. Norton coordinated every phase of this effort, including successfully navigating internal reviews by Risk Management, University Marketing and Trademark Licensing, as well as federal label approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
"Erin has demonstrated exceptional creativity and initiative in advancing the mission of MGWII while strengthening connections across campus and throughout Iowa's fermentation industries," stated a colleague.