The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Nick and Dana Blizzard of Blizzard Wines. In this interview, Nick and Dana talk about their entry into the wine industry after working office jobs in the city and their next steps planting their vineyard.Nick and Dana met in high school, went to college together, and then moved from office life into the wine industry. Dana had joined an amateur winemaking club with the desire to make a physical product that she could share with people. Her parents already owned a vineyard, which she managed in exchange for the fruit. After going back to school through Chemeketa to learn more about winemaking, she and her husband started their winemaking operation in her parents' garage.Nick grew up in wine country, living across the street from the Ponzis. When Dana started to develop an interest in winemaking, he also expressed a desire to join the industry. He talks about discovering a love for the Carménère varietal and helping to source fruit from Eastern Washington. He also designed their tasting room and production space that now sits on Dana's family vineyard.Later in the interview, Nick and Dana talk about their newest project, Blizzard Ridge, and the planning that goes into planting a vineyard. They also share about the future of their sparkling wine program.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Blizzard Wines in Hillsboro on August 18, 2025.

This interview is with Megan Masterson of Daughter's Wine Shop. In this interview, Megan speaks about her early interest in wine, food, and hospitality and how she and her mother had always hoped to open a hospitality space together.Megan speaks about her life growing up and her college experience in Montreal. She then describes how she came to Oregon and how the idea for Daughter's began to take shape.Later, she talks about the space, the events, and the wines/people she is working with. She speaks about the unique challenges of Gearhart and about what the future might hold for her and her shop.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 13, 2025 at Daughter's Wine Shop in Gearhart.

This interview is with Nicholas Caluori of Secus Wines. In this interview, Nicholas talks about his variety of experiences working wine harvests all around the world and how he started his own label.Nicholas shares about growing up in Kirkland, Washington, where his family owned an Italian restaurant. When he started working at the restaurant in the early 2000s, wine was starting to boom in the Pacific Northwest, and he had to know about wine in order to better serve guests.While originally he was more interested in beer, Nicholas and his mom took a course with the Court of Master Sommeliers to understand more about wine. Many of his friends in the area worked in wine, so he joined a harvest at Betz Family Winery in 2015. After that, he worked harvests in New Zealand, California, Chile, and finally Burgundy before coming back to Washington.Later in the interview, Nicholas talks about moving to Oregon as the wine scene seemed more “punk rock.” While working at Limited Addition, he started his own wine experiments that would later set the stage for his label. In 2024, he released his first vintage of Secus (which means “to the contrary”) Wines which included a Riesling and a Syrah.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library on August 15, 2025.

This interview is with Rob Alstrin of Adelsheim Vineyard. In this interview, Rob talks about his initial career in tech, when wine sparked his interest, and how he made his passion his job.Rob shares about working for a semiconductor company both in the states and later in Australia. He first moved to Sydney in 1990 and would take weekend trips to the Hunter Valley wine region. After studying wine marketing at the University of Adelaide, he returned stateside to find a job in wine.While working with a distributor to adapt their computer programs to automate warehouse functions, Rob met many people from Oregon who were excited about wine. He traveled to Oregon in 1999 for IPNC and quickly fell in love with the wine region.Later in the interview, Rob talks about moving to Oregon and starting his first job at Domaine Serene in 2001. He left in 2005 to start his own business, a wine brokerage called Northwest Core Collective, and held a few other positions in the industry before starting at Adelsheim in May 2020.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Adelsheim Vineyard in Newberg on August 14, 2025.

This interview is with Lydia DeRoss of Beyond the Vine. In this interview, Lydia talks about how her passion for wine was sparked and how that passion drove her to leave the world of accounting to join the wine industry.Lydia shares about growing up in Tumalo, Oregon, and starting a career in accounting. After an initial interest in wine, she took a WSET class with Linfield in 2020 in order to learn more. This expanded her palette and encouraged her to try many new wines.Later in the interview, Lydia talks about her excitement to both learn about wine and help educate others on what she was learning. After quitting her accounting job, she started working in a wine shop in Redmond before opening her own storefront.Lydia opened Beyond the Vine in November 2023, where she focused on making wine fun and approachable. She has a limited inventory so that she can change her menu regularly and continually introduce even regulars to plenty of new and interesting wines.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Beyond the Vine in Redmond on August 11, 2025.

This interview is with Luisa Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards. In this interview, Luisa talks about growing up in the wine industry and finding her own place in it.Luisa shares about what it was like to grow up in the early Oregon wine industry, making friends with other kids in wine families and others not really understanding what her family did. Though she originally went to school for biology to enter the medical field, she graduated with a degree in English Literature.In 1991, Luisa returned to her family's winery to help with harvest, and this put her directly back onto the wine industry path. After studying wine in France - and discovering a lot of sexism towards women working in wine - she returned to her family's estate to take over winemaking duties from her father.Later in the interview, Luisa talks about selling the Ponzi brand and starting her own label. She and her husband, Eric Hamacher, started a project called Winery Lane Collective, which is a shared winemaking and tasting room space. She speaks to her family's focus on quality over everything else, and her pride in how her family has grown over the years.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Winery Lane Collective in Beaverton on August 8, 2025.

This interview is with Jacques Lardière of Résonance Wines. In this interview, Jacques speaks about his early introduction to wine and his passion for the science behind winemaking.He then talks about the Oregon part of his career, after 40 years working for the Jadot family in Burgundy. He speaks on how Jadot found and acquired Résonance and how the project has gone so far. And he talks about the potential of the wines from the site and from Oregon.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 31, 2025 at Résonance in Carlton.

This interview is with Bailey Mayer of Proteus Wines. In this interview, Bailey talks about how he ended up owning a vineyard in Oregon and what he has learned in the process.Bailey shares about growing up in Colorado and attending the University of Colorado in Boulder to get a degree in finance and accounting. Shortly after, he moved to Philadelphia and worked in bank regulatory compliance for 20 years. It was in Philadelphia that he met his husband, Jerry, after joining a swim league.Bailey was introduced to wine by a sommelier friend, and he and Jerry focused many of their vacations around which wine regions they wanted to visit and learn about. Though they both worked office jobs in Philadelphia, they dreamed of moving to Oregon and joining the wine industry.Later in the interview, Bailey talks about finally moving to Oregon after his husband passed away. While he wasn't looking for a vineyard property, his real estate agent showed him the Proteus Wines property, and he fell in love. He got straight to work developing a 4-year plan to expand and boost the brand. He also created a wine to honor his late husband and donates the proceeds from that wine to epilepsy research.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Proteus Wines in Newberg on August 7, 2025.

This interview is with Michael Krikorian of Bottle Bodega. In this interview, Michael talks about his experience working in various restaurants and how his passion for wine has grown.Michael shares about growing up in Montana on his family's 6,000 acre farm. In 1998 he moved to the west coast, where he spent 11 years working at a San Francisco restaurant called The Cove. When the owners opened another restaurant, this one a fine-dining establishment, he found himself learning to take wine more seriously.After learning about restaurants from the service and management side, Michael opened his own restaurant in Portland called Il Terrazzo. He speaks to developing a wine list that balances what customers want with which wines he was interested in at the time, as well as making adjustments during the pandemic.Later in the interview, Michael talks about the importance of community, especially in the wine industry. He shares stories of connecting with people who share similar backgrounds and passions. He also speaks about his involvement in Oregon's Queer Wine Fest and the most recent Oregon Pinot Camp.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Bethany's Table in Portland on August 5, 2025.

This interview is with Mike Bacus of Bacus Vineyards. In this interview, Mike talks about his early career in computer programming and databases and how he made the transition into the wine industry.Mike shares about growing up in Chicago while his dad worked as a biomedical engineer. This led to an interest in biotech engineering, which was his focus in college. After helping to develop a program to detect cancer cells, he started his own custom programming and database company before joining the team at Amazon in the early 2000s.Later in the interview, Mike talks about starting a wine company with his daughter after purchasing a vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Before starting an official winery, he had been making experimental wine in his garage. He was fascinated by the process of grape growing and wine making and all the factors that can influence the final product.In both the tech and wine worlds, Mike speaks to the importance of building relationships in business. While he loves his work and the intricacies of wine, he speaks about being most proud of his kids and the relationships he has developed with the people around him.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library on August 1, 2025.

This interview is with Lauren Clark of Bergström Wines. In this interview, Lauren talks about how she got into wine and why she wants to continue learning.Lauren shares about growing up in central California in an agricultural region, and how it was always part of her life. She moved to Oregon to attend Oregon State University, get out of California, and get away from agricultural work. Instead, she started in the food science program.While she was initially interested in beer, she later became fascinated by wine and its intricacies, working with Dr. Elizabeth Tomasino in the science labs. In the fall of 2018, Lauren completed her first commercial harvest with Willamette Valley Vineyards, and she was hooked.Later in the interview, Lauren talks about her transition to Bergström Wines after being hired as their enologist. Here, she took the jump into learning more about cellar work. She also talks about the unique aspect of community and collaboration in the Oregon wine industry, and how she values having friends both in and out of the industry.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Bergström Wines in Dundee on July 31, 2025.

This interview is with Terry Culton of Willamette Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Terry speaks about his early days in wine and his first tenure at Willamette Valley Vineyards. He also talks about his lengthy career on the central coast of California, and how he ended up back at Willamette Valley Vineyards.Terry speaks about the many places he's worked and wines he has produced, and the multitude of wines and vineyards he gets to interact with now. He talks about the challenges of making good wine at scale and about how the Oregon wine industry has evolved. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner on July 30, 2025.

This interview is with Jean-Michel Jussiaume of Maison Jussiaume. In this interview, Jean-Michel talks about his upbringing in France and how he eventually found himself making wine in Oregon.Jean-Michel shares about growing up in the Loire Valley in France and how wine has always been a constant in his life. He then goes on to share how he did not intend to become a winemaker, until he fell in love with the process and product.Later in the interview, Jean-Michel talks about his wine education and travels. He then goes on to share some of his views and practices when it comes to making sparkling wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at The Dundee Hotel in Dundee on July 25, 2025.

This interview is with Jenna White of The Dundee Hotel. In this interview, Jenna talks about her love for hospitality and how she blends this passion with wine. Jenna shares about her childhood and the many impactful people and milestones that led her to where she is today. She dives into her journey with hospitality and how that has always been a throughline in her career.Later in the interview, Jenna talks about how she found herself getting involved with wine. She then goes on to share about her return to Oregon. Jenna also talks about her new business endeavors and what she is excited for in the future.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at The Dundee Hotel in Dundee on July 25, 2025.

This interview is with Randall Coats of Wine4dappl. In this interview, Randall talks about his path through the wine industry and how he found his way to Oregon.Randall talks about growing up in Detroit and how he found his first opportunity with wine with the help of his grandmother. He goes on to discuss his wine related travels to Norway and eventually California.Later in the interview, Randall reflects on his entry into the industry and what he wants to build for those who wish to follow a similar path. He also talks about his future plans and hopes regarding his own wine label. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Laurelhurst Park in Portland on July 24 and August 5, 2025.

This interview is with William Moriarty of Lingua Franca. In this interview, William discusses his upbringing on the East Coast and his journey to the West.William shares about growing up in Boston and his travels during college. He delves into discovering a passion for wine through its connection to hospitality and the French language. He then goes on to talk about his time spent in France and the many impacts and memories he took away from his time there.Later in the interview, William shares about his move to Oregon. He goes on to share about his hopes for the valley and himself.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Lingua Franca in Hopewell on July 23, 2025.

This interview is with Vincent Rolleri of Durant Vineyards. In this interview, Vincent talks about growing up in Oregon and how wine started as an early idea in his life. Vincent shares about his childhood and the different influences his family and heritage had on both his passions and career choices. He dives into his entry into the Oregon wine industry and the many mentors and memories he has regarding his harvests. Later in the interview, Vincent talks about how he came to find himself at Durant. He then shares about his current role and what he aspires to do in the future. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Durant Vineyards in Dayton on July 22, 2025.

This interview is with Krista Lauer of Bryn Mawr Vineyards. In this interview, Krista shares her journey from pursuing a career in the art industry to her current role at her family's winery. Krista discusses her upbringing and how her parents' passion for wine influenced her. She goes on to share about attaining her undergrad from Willamette University and then her decision to move to Colorado for a graduate program. Later in the interview, Krista shares about her journey back to Oregon and finding a place at Bryn Mawr. Krista then dives into the many projects she is working on and is excited to roll out. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Bryn Mawr Vineyards in Salem on July 21, 2025.

This interview is with David Lauer of Bryn Mawr Vineyards. In this interview, David talks about his relationship with wine and the different dynamics of his family's business.David shares about growing up in San Diego and his first impressions of Oregon wine when his parents bought Bryn Mawr Vineyards. He goes on to talk about working his first harvest at Bryn Mawr and how he truly found a passion for the vines and cellar work. Later in the interview, David talks about being part of his family's business. He then dives into what his current role is and what his hopes for both Oregon and himself are for the future. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Bryn Mawr Vineyards in Salem on July 21, 2025.

This interview is with Junichi Fujita of Junichi Fujita Wines. In this interview, Junichi talks about his passion for wine and the wine journey he is embarking on.Junichi shares about growing up and his first career that was not in wine. He then goes on to talk about attending UC Davis and how the people he met and education he received shaped his wine journey. Later in the interview, Junichi talks about the different harvests he worked and how he was inspired by the concept of using his own hands to tend to a vineyard. Junichi then shares about his process in finding and planting his own vineyard. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Junichi's home in McMinnville on July 15, 2025.

This interview is with Lucia Lemma Walker of Résonance. In this interview, Lucia talks about being raised around the Oregon wine Industry and her own path through the industry.Lucia shares about growing up around her father's company, Lemma Wine Company. She then dives into the many lessons she learned from her parents and siblings. She goes on to talk about her own journey through the Oregon wine industry. Later in the interview, Lucia shares about her different roles in the Oregon wine industry and how she came to find her current position. Lucia also leaves us with some of her hopes for both the industry and her own future.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Lucia's home in Gaston on July 17, 2025.

This interview is with Joe Dobbes of Iterum Wines. In this interview, Joe talks about his early career in the Oregon wine industry and how he now spends his days.Joe dives into his journey with wine and how his passion was solidified with a harvest spent in Germany. He goes on to talk about his early wine career in Oregon and how his entrepreneurial spirit led him to create different businesses and brands.Later in the interview, Joe reflects on the forty years he has spent in the Oregon wine industry. He talks about things he learned and his hopes for the future.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Orchard House Estate in Salem on July 14, 2025.

This interview is with Jared Coon of Résonance Vineyard. In this interview, Jared speaks about transitioning from chemical engineering to wine studies at Washington State University after watching A Good Year with Russell Crowe. After his initial interest in the science and chemistry behind winemaking, a New Zealand Syrah in 2010 opened his eyes to a passion in wine itself.During school, Jared spent a semester abroad at Lincoln University, where he saw a more complete “grape to bottle” experience of winemaking. His first wine job after college was at 12th & Maple in Dundee, after which he returned to Australia for a harvest in the southern hemisphere.After an additional harvest in California, he set his sights on New Zealand. Here, he worked at two different wineries, extending his working visa to stay for several years, and meeting his future wife in the process. Once again, he added more hands-on experience to his rapidly increasing wine knowledge.In 2019, Jared and his wife moved back to the States to work in Oregon wineries and start a family. During this time, he worked for Willamette Cross Flow, Jackson Family Wines, Failla Oregon, and Yamhill Valley Vineyards before eventually finding a position at Résonance, where he currently works.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Résonance in Carlton on July 10, 2025.

This interview is with Sandy Thompson of Mt. Tabor Fine Wines. In this interview, Sandy speaks about his career in the music industry and the many roles he held working with radio stations and record companies. He speaks about his growing passion for wine, and building a personal collection.Later, he speaks about opening Mt. Tabor Fine Wines in Portland as his second career, and about building a wine inventory and customer base. He speaks about Oregon wine and its growth and talks about some of his favorite memories from working in the industry.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 10, 2025 at the Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville.

This interview is with Peter Ebbers of Stirling Wine Grapes. In this interview, Peter speaks his experience in the wine industry, specifically in the vineyard and the cellar, from places like Oregon to Virginia and even New Zealand.Peter was first introduced to wine while studying abroad in Scotland, where colleagues invited him to a wine and cheese club. It was there that the curiosity and passion for wine started. After working as a house painter and a high school English teacher, he took the leap and moved from his home in Vermont to California to work harvest.After a couple more harvest experiences, Peter studied at Lincoln University in New Zealand to better understand the farming behind vineyard work. Here, he learned how to make the most of the land, workforce, technology, capital, and “know-how.” Working in a vineyard shortly after helped to fill in that knowledge with practical experience.With exposure to harvest in both the northern and southern hemispheres, Peter found his way back to Oregon wine country, where he appreciated that he could work in both the vineyard and the cellar. He speaks to his various wine jobs once settling in Oregon, how he as a team leader can affect work culture, and how the camaraderie of farmers benefits everyone.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in the Nicholson Library on July 8, 2025.

This interview is with Alex Altshuler of Demeus Wines. In this interview, Alex speaks about finding his path to wine in New Zealand, and then continuing his education and apprenticeship there and in Oregon. He speaks of his love for working nights and his offbeat approach to winemaking, particularly with his own brand Demeus.Later, Alex speaks about the injury that took him out of the industry, what he's been working on since, and his thoughts on getting back into wine. He also dives into his music career and what might be next for that as well.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 9, 2025 at Alex's home in Rhodedendron.

This interview is with Andrew Head, Afton Towry, and Chris Graves of Apona Vienyards. In this interview, Andrew, Afton, and Chris speak about their wine paths and how they came to start Apona Vineyards.Chris talks about his extensive winemaking experience and eventually coming to southern Oregon as a winemaker and instructor. Afton and Andrew talk about how they met and began their wine endeavor, and Afton tells of taking classes with Chris and eventually inviting him to join the team as the winemaker.The trio also talk about the vineyard and the wines made so far, about the nearly completed winery/tasting room, and about what the future holds.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 2, 2025 at Apona Vineyards in Veneta.

This interview is with Dan Diephouse and Jeanne Feldkamp of Corollary Wines. We last spoke with Dan and Jeanne during the summer of 2020 after they had just released their brand, Corollary. In this interview, they briefly recap how they got into wine and started the brand, then they talk about what they have been up to since 2020.After initially releasing their wines into the world, they focused on building a wine club starting with family and friends. They also showcased their wines at Winter's Hill, which doubles as their production space, and focused on educating guests about the importance of sparkling wine in the Willamette Valley.The biggest change since our first interview was the purchase of the new vineyard site in Amity, recommended to them by Jessica Cortell. Originally a logging site, they bought it in 2022 and started prepping it for planting. They speak about the need for both a vineyard and a tasting room on the property, as well as the permaculture and sustainability initiatives they have been working towards.Looking ahead to the end of July, they speak about their work in helping to start Method Oregon, an event focusing on Willamette Valley traditional method sparkling wines. They collaborated with Andy Lytle to create the event and Jim Bernau to host the event. They stress the significance of having both an educational component as well as the more traditional grand tasting, showcasing 22 producers and helping participants to view the Willamette Valley as a premier destination for sparkling wines.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Corollary Wines in Amity on July 7, 2025.

This interview is with Rob and Debbie Marr of Marr Cellars. In this interview, Rob and Debbie speak about their introduction to wine and their gradual entry into the Oregon wine industry. They speak about their careers outside of wine and of starting making wine in the garage.Later they talk about coming to Oregon and starting their brand. Debbie also speaks about her acting career, and the pair discuss selling wine and what the future looks like.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 1, 2025 at the Marr's home in Sherwood.

This interview is with Lukas Papagiannis of BHN. In this interview, Lukas talks about his early involvement with wine and growing up in Australia. Lukas dives into his childhood and how he decided to pursue wine while at University in Australia. He shares about his family's connection to having a vineyard and how this connection and the memories associated with family, vineyards, and wine likely influenced him. Later in the interview he talks about the different places he has worked and traveled to. He then dives into how he found himself working a harvest in the Willamette Valley and what made him decide to stay. He then goes on to talk about the current project he is working on with Marco Prete. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Wines of Kings in Portland on June 27, 2025.

This interview is with Sam Ekstrom-Welch, Rae-Ekstrom-Welch, and Kevin Geller. In this interview, Sam, Rae, and Kevin speak about their individual paths into the wine industry and how they came together to work at (and then own, along with Kevin's wife Olivia Schelly) Liner & Elsen wine shop.Kevin got into wine through food while living in Madison, Wisc., and once he was hooked pursued it passionately. Once he came to Portland, he found his way to Liner & Elsen in the early 2000s. Sam first worked in wine at the Portland Airport before starting at L&E in the 2010s. And Rae worked first in distribution before she and Sam were married.When the shop was available for purchase in 2022, the group worked together to figure out how to buy it, and then how to keep the important legacy while also helping it evolve to meet a new generation of wine drinkers. They talk about all of this, as well as what the future holds.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Liner & Elsen in Portland on June 30, 2025.

This interview is with Marco Prete of BHN and Wines of Kings. In this interview, Marco talks about growing up in Italy and how he eventually found himself living in the United States and making wine.  Marco dives into growing up with wine at the table for meals and how a bottle was always shared amongst family alongside delicious food. He shares how this sparked his fascination and his early travels through Italy meeting different iconic wine makers. Later in the interview, Marco talks about moving to the United States and eventually finding Oregon. He then dives into his current projects related to botrytis, Riesling, and a whole new type of alcohol fusion that he is playing with. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Wines of Kings in Portland on June 27, 2025.

This interview is with John Faulkner of Evening Land. In this interview, John talks about his early fascination with winemaking and his journey to finding himself in the Oregon wine industry.  John shares about growing up in California and his early curiosity regarding winemaking. He then dives into an impactful experience he had during his senior year at Berkley that solidified his passion for wine. He goes on to talk about working his first harvest after graduating college. Later in the interview, John shares about working in the California wine industry until his sabbatical in 2022. He then shares how he found himself in Oregon making wine and how he is excited for the coming vintages.  This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Seven Springs Vineyard in Salem on June 26, 2025.

This interview is with Jess Lyon of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. In this interview, Jess talks about his path to becoming a lawyer and his passion for all things agriculture, food, and beverage. Jess shares about growing up in rural Washington and how his upbringing influenced his career path. He then dives into how he found himself going to law school after he discovered that he enjoyed helping people, especially those in agriculture, solve problems.Later in the interview, Jess talks about how he found himself becoming involved in the Oregon wine industry. He also shares about some of the important deals, mergers, and laws he has been a part of. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in Portland on June 25, 2025.

This interview is with Julia Lok Yung Sliker of Cho Wines and Corazón Wine Bar & Kitchen. In this interview, Julia talks about how she discovered wine and eventually found herself working in the industry. Julia shares about growing up in Hong Kong and how she was first introduced to wine while at a food and wine festival in Hong Kong. She dives into her immediate passion regarding Ice Wine and how her passion led her to taste around Oregon when she came to the States for college. Later in the interview, Julia talks about transitioning from working at Oregon State University to working at Corazón and Cho Wines. She also shares her hopes of continuing to learn about wine and working towards becoming a certified sommelier.  This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on June 25, 2025 at Cho Wines in Hillsboro.

This interview is with Colin Kapps of Sequitur. In this interview, Colin speaks about his path to finding wine and how he landed in Oregon. Colin talks about growing up and not discovering the path of wine until he was in college talking with a friend. He goes on to share about his studies and adventures abroad in Australia and how he falled further in love with wine while there. Later in the interview, Colin talks about coming to Oregon and eventually landing at Sequitur. He then shares about the many different hats and jobs he carries at Sequitur. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Sequitur in Newberg on June 24, 2025.

In this interview, we chat with Ashley Bachaumand, who reflects on her early life and career as an avid dinner party host, where she discovered her love for food and wine and the many ways that it brings people together. Later down the line, Ashley recalls all the ways that she has touched every aspect of the restaurant industry, working her way up from dishwasher to higher leadership positions, where a dynamic team was able to depend on her. Later in the interview, Ashley walks provides the perfect recipe for a great hospitality experience, with the throughline being a strong commitment to quality. Ashley speaks of the many mentors and colleagues that have aided in her ability to not only foster, but also work within a successful work culture that strives to inspire and empower one another with the goal of providing a memorable experience that forges connections with guests.  This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University Library in McMinnville on June 23, 2025.

This interview is with Mike Willison of Adelsheim Vineyards. In this interview, Mike speaks about his youthful passions, love of education, and ever present curiosity regarding wine. Mike talks about growing up in the suburbs of Chicago and how his childhood was reminiscent of the film “Ferris Bueller's Day Off.” He goes on to share how he balanced his dream of becoming part of a rock-pop band with earning money and building a career in wine. Later in the interview, Mike speaks on how he fell in love with all things wine, education, and Oregon. He dives into the different opportunities and jobs he has held and what he is looking forward to in his future.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Adelsheim Vineyards in Newberg on June 18, 2025.

This interview is with Michael Kelly Brown of Adelsheim Vineyard. In this interview, Michael reflects on the various passion projects that have since led him to the wine industry. Michael's long family line of morticians gave him a small taste of the service industry and what it means to work with people. An exciting stint in Europe allowed him to fully immerse himself in new and exciting locations and cultures, while also exposing him to the thrilling and fast pace nature of the food and restaurant scene. Later in the interview, Michael recalls the great lineage of mentors that have helped him explore all that the hospitality and wine industry have to offer. An accumulation of job titles and life experiences has allowed Michael to understand how a meaningful career can be used to provide a better quality of life for others working around him. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Adelsheim Vineyard in Newberg on June 18, 2025.

This interview is with Lawrence Francis of Interpreting Wine. In this interview, Lawrence speaks about his entry into the wine industry and how he found himself hosting and producing his own wine podcast. Lawrence talks about growing up in London and how his interest was spurred while he was in Spain. He dives into the different challenges his first couple of wine interviews in Spain posed and how he learned and overcame those minor difficulties.  Later in the interview Lawrence speaks about his interest in Oregon wine and what his different trips to the United States and Oregon have entailed. Before he leaves, Lawrence shares his hopes for the Oregon wine industry and his own hopes of writing a novel. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University Library in McMinnville on June 17, 2025.

This interview is with Brenna O'Malley from Humble Spirit. In this interview, Brenna talks about her affinity for the culinary arts, and the ways that these early passions paved the way for her career in the restaurant industry. She distinguishes service from hospitality as she describes the ways that she has learned to be intuitive and anticipatory with guests, to ensure that they have an experience they'll never forget. Later in the interview, Brenna discusses her journey into the world of wine, as she reflects on the various crash courses that have allowed her to expand and refine her pallet. She also reflects on the true beauty of Oregon wine country, and the wonderful community that has grown alongside it, all with the common goal of applying sustainability to its daily practices. When building a wine list, Brenna is eager to expand her knowledge by getting onto vineyard sites more frequently and diving deeper into wine practices. Her goal being to continue providing a platform for diverse and underrepresented backgrounds within the wine community. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University Library in McMinnville on June 17, 2025.

This interview is with Randy Freund of Vitae Springs. In this interview, Randy talks about his vineyard philosophy and passions for stewardship and viticulture. Growing up in Texas, Randy wasn't exposed to a lot of wines, but after visiting Oregon and working at a vineyard in France, he knew that he wanted to be more involved with wine. Maintaining the vineyard at Vitae Springs has allowed Randy to create a space that focuses on regenerative agriculture and doing things by hand. Randy also touches on his new wine brand, Cynic, where he aims to create natural wines. He also discusses the future of Oregon wine.  This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt  at Vitae Springs in Salem on June 16, 2025.

This interview is with Danny McGeough of Flor Wines. In this interview, Danny discusses his journey into wine and curating wine lists for people to enjoy at various restaurants.Danny talks about growing up in Perth, Australia, before moving to Russia, then Portland in the United States. Here, he found a love for the restaurant industry, food, and wine. Danny's career started at Higgins, before working at places like Le Pigeon and Paley's Place.  Then, Danny got involved with Flor Wines, a place that has evolved into a space for community and wine. He talks about his work at Flor Wines, along with his work at Maurice and Ringside Steakhouse.  This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Flor Wines in Portland on June 13, 2025.

This interview is with Jessica Endsworth of Northwest Wine Co. In this interview, Jessica talks about growing up in a small town and her journey to finding Oregon and wine. Jessica shares about growing up and the impact her mother had on her work ethic. Jessica dives into sharing about working in restaurants and how she found herself building a resume before she even graduated high school. Later in the interview, Jessica talks about making her journey to Oregon and how she eventually found herself working at the Northwest Wine Company. She also shares about her many passions regarding wine, education, and storytelling. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on June 10, 2025 in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University.

This interview is with Tyson Smith of Copious Cellars. In this interview, Tyson talks about his path to becoming a winemaker.  Tyson talks about growing up in Oregon and starting to make wines with his dad, who took copious notes about the process. He discusses his background as an artist and graphic designer, creating feature-length films and comics. Then, Tyson talks about taking the leap to making wines and the experience of releasing his first vintage. He also talks about the differences between his artistic and winemaking practices and the future of Copious Cellars.  This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Ricochet Wines in McMinnville on June 12, 2025.

This interview is with Chelsea Hinman Miller of Tior Wines. In this interview, Chelsea speaks about growing up in the wine industry with her dad's business, Hinman Cellars in Eugene. She talks about her early work with King Estate and then getting into national wine sales.Later, she talks about resurrecting the Tior brand name, which has been in her family since the late 1970s. She talks about the importance of selling wine on a retail level and looks ahead to how she hopes the brand will grow.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on June 11, 2025 in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University.

This interview is with Caryn Benke of Galaxy Wine Company. In this interview, Caryn talks about her array of experiences within the restaurant and wine industry and how her involvement has granted her the ability to contextualize her academic learning of history, religion, and art. Caryn shares about the many hats that she has worn over her career and how valuable these roles have been in allowing her to better understand all facets of the industry from producer, consumer, and distributor. Later in the interview, Caryn shares the tactics she uses to keep consumers curious and the ways that she continues to educate her audience about wine. She also shares prospective avenues of experience from working closer with individual wineries and working harvest. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University on June 5, 2025.

This interview is with Eric Pottmeyer of Sec Wines. In this interview, Eric talks about finding wine and his shift from studying psychology to learning wine. Eric shares about his childhood and growing up in Tigard. He goes on to talk about his path to both finding and learning wine as a young adult. Later in the interview, Eric dives into his journey in creating Sec Wines and the different challenges he faced. He also shares some of his fondest memories and what he hopes for regarding both his brand and Oregon wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Eric's home in Portland on June 9, 2025.

This interview is with Beatrice Barrar of RAM Cellars. In this interview, Beatrice talks about falling in love with the mystic and magic of fermentation and all things wine. Beatrice shares about her time growing up on a farm in Northern California and the impact this experience had on her. She goes on to share about cornerstone events that influenced her journey and views regarding wine. Later in the interview, Beatrice dives into her move to Portland and how she found herself working a harvest. She also shares some of her hopes and plans for the future. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Hip Chicks do WIne in Portland on June 6, 2025.

This interview is with Rueben Lange of Amiti. In this interview, Reuben talks about growing up and falling in love with his first passions of music and food, which are what eventually led him to wine.Reuben shares about his childhood and growing up in Minnesota with three moms. He dives into funny memories of him cooking in the kitchen and the influential moments that led him to where he is today. Reuben then speaks about going to college at Lewis and Clark and his journey to become a chef.Later in the interview, Reuben talks about why he shifted from the kitchen to the vineyard. He then shares about different harvests and their influence on his current project Amiti. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Dave Wards' Vineyard in Canby on June 4, 2025.

This interview is with Michael Kanbergs of Taborly Wines. In this interview, Michael discusses his journey to owning his own wine shop. Michael talks about growing up in California and his college experience, which nurtured his love for the restaurant and wine industry. He talks about his affinity for wine and the people and places that drew him to Portland. Then, Michael talks about acquiring a wine shop, which was eventually renamed to Taborly Wines. He discusses the Oregon spirit, what he likes to put on the shelf, and the beauty of small communities. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Taborly Wines in Portland on May 29, 2025.