Winery General Manager Ernie Kerst hails from Thornbury, a scenic town in southern Georgian Bay's apple belt.

In 2002, armed with a BA in Economics and ten years of management experience with Price Club (later Costco Wholesale) and Office Depot, Ernie was drawn to Malivoire. The winery was in search of a financial controller and to Ernie this was a chance to work in a small-company environment while completing his training as a Certified General Accountant. In the two years since he was named General Manager, he has overseen the growth of Malivoire's market across four Canadian provinces and five U.S. states.

Ernie believes that Malivoire will achieve success by crafting superior wines of excellent value, cultivating a reputation for a high standard of service and developing continuing partnerships with its customers. Although he feels more comfortable away from the spotlight, Ernie tends to be highly visible. Because he likes to participate in all aspects of winery life, he is seen sometimes at his desk, sometimes at work in the vineyard, sometimes at the wheel of a tractor.

Balancing Ernie's life are his roles as husband and father and the enjoyment of family time when not immersed in renovations to home or cottage. Some day he hopes to admire his handiwork from the air. Did we mention that he's training for his pilot's license?