Mike Blaylock, Winemaker

Cheryl Russell, General Manager

Mike Blaylock, Winemaker –
A California native with a strong interest in the environment, Michael Blaylock obtained an undergraduate degree in wildlife zoology from San Jose State University. He then joined the Peace Corps to become involved in wildlife management. Assigned to the Philippines, he helped develop new income-generating jobs for local fishermen, which included establishing a successful wine production enterprise. Inspired by this experience, Blaylock returned to the U.S. and entered the graduate enology program at California State University Fresno where he received his Master's of Science degree in Agricultural Chemistry with an emphasis in enology. In 1984 he joined Quady Winery and continues to produce the winery's exciting dessert wines, including Essensia Orange Muscat, Elysium Black Muscat and Electra.

Cheryl Russell, General Manager – While attending Madera High School in Madera, California, Cheryl worked at Copeland Lumber as their bookkeeper. This led her to decide that a career in bookkeeping and accounting would be her future goal. After High School she worked for a construction development company in Madera for many years as their full charge bookkeeper. In 1983 Cheryl started working for Quady and Brash, a local Madera accounting company, where Laurel Quady was a partner in the firm. While working for Quady and Brash she also managed Quady Winery's payables, receivables and sales. With the winery expansion and addition of office space in 1985 Andy Quady offered Cheryl the accounting position at the winery facility. "When I first started working at the winery it was myself, Andy, Michael Blaylock and a few general winery workers. We now have 5 office staff, our winemaker, an assistant winemaker and six full time cellar, bottling and winery workers. Also working for us are many part-time employees that assist with wine tastings and promotional events. Since I started working at the winery we have gone from producing about 3,000 cases of wine a year to over 40,000. Things have changed." Cheryl is now Quady Winery's general manager in charge of staff and operations.