The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

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.

This interview is with Alex Davis of PDX Wines. In this interview, Alex talks about his love for all things food, travel, and wine. Alex shares about his childhood and growing up in Maine. He dives into growing up around his parents' bar and how these memories still influence him today. He then goes on to talk about going to college and his subsequent travels. Later in the interview, Alex talks about catching the wine bug and goes on to share some of his first memories and impressions of Portland. He then talks about his journey to finding his current roles at PDX Wines This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Tulip Shop Tavern in Portland on June 3, 2025.

This interview is with Anne McIntyre of Hess Creek Vineyard. In this interview Anne talks about her journey from being a ship pilot to growing grapes in Oregon.Anne shares about her childhood in California and how she fell in love with sailing early in her life. She dives into her time spent at a maritime academy and her different jobs associated with sailing.Later in the interview, Anne talks about her connection to Oregon and how she found a property through the Oregonian. She then shares about her path in learning about wine and the short period where she made some. Finally, Anne leaves us with some of her hopes for both the industry and herself. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Hess Creek Vineyard in Dundee on May 22, 2025.

This interview is with Clive Pursehouse of Decanter. In this interview, Clive dives into his career and journey from higher education to wine journalism. Clive discusses his upbringing and the pursuit of a degree in philosophy, which led him to a career in higher education. He then delves into his 18-year career in higher education, highlighting some of his proudest moments.Later in the interview, Clive shares about his relationship with wine and his evolving passion for wine blogging. He goes on to talk about how this blogging eventually turned into an opportunity at Decanter and what his current role looks like. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on May 14, 2025.

This interview is with Rose Ballantine of Alexana Estate. In this interview, Rose talks about her path in finding wine and pursuing it as a career.Rose dives into her time growing up in Napa Valley, California, and all the happy accidents that led her to wine. She goes on to share her college experience at UC Davis and the different memories she has from her college days.Later in the interview, Rose goes on to talk about coming to Oregon and how she found a family in the Oregon wine industry. Rose also shares her excitement regarding her new position with the Revavana portfolio. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Alexana Estate in Newberg on May 5, 2025.

This interview is with Jordan Hostetter of Open Soul Wines. In this interview, Jordan speaks about discovering a love of hospitality at a young age and spending a career trying to curate good experiences for guests and customers.After moving to the east coast pursuing a music career, Jordan found himself working on the White House advance team, supporting events for a variety of politicians beginning with First Lady Laura Bush. He describes the adrenaline rush and excitement of working on events like these and shares stories from this part of his life.Seeking a change in career, he talks about enrolling at Walla Walla Community College and studying enology, followed by working at a variety of wineries in the Walla Walla area. Finally, he talks about the idea of starting Open Soul - the ethos, logistics, and planning of a new wine brand, as well as how it has gone so far.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Boundary Social Club in Portland on April 23, 2025.

This interview is with Layne Witherell. In this interview, Layne shares his journey from growing up in Los Angeles during the 60s to retiring in Portland, Maine as a foodie. He talks about his education, jobs, hobbies, and everything in between.Layne dives into his early life in Los Angeles, California and how he eventually found himself serving in the U.S. Navy. He then talks about going to college and finding wine. Layne goes on to share about living in Oregon and his time and memories associated with selling the wines of the early wine pioneers of Oregon.Later in the interview, Layne goes on to talk about moving to Virginia and selling Oregon wine on the East Coast. He then shares about writing his own book, Wine Maniacs, and the passions he has found with retirement.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on April 16, 2025.

This interview is with Gisela Kreglinger. In this interview, Gisela talks about her relationship with wine and her studies regarding spirituality and wine.Gisela dives into growing up on a family winery in Germany. She shares how this time shaped her view of wine and food. She goes on to talk about her studies abroad and how she eventually found herself in North America teaching. Later in the interview, Gisela shares about her endeavors in writing books related to spirituality and wine consumption. She then talks about her newest project with Randy Frazee and her future hopes of publishing a children's book. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on April 16, 2025.

This interview is with Simon Davies of A&B Vintners. In this interview, Simon shares about his journey in getting involved with the wine industry in London and how he eventually became involved with buying and distributing Oregon wine in the UK.Simon talks about growing up in a small town in the country and how he found his way to London. He shares about falling in love with wine while working in a wine shop and how his interest transpired into an opportunity with the Fine and Rare Wines company. He then shares about his career transition from Fine and Rare Wines to A&B Vintners. Simon goes on to share about his first impressions of the Oregon wine industry and his views regarding the future of the wine industry.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on April 9, 2025.

This interview is with Ken Brown. In this interview, Ken shares about his career as an extension agent of Oregon State University and how he eventually found himself helping the winemakers of Oregon.Ken talks about his early life and growing up in Oregon. He shares about joining the Navy for 5 years and then his time spent at Oregon State University. He goes on to talk about his different jobs and how he stumbled into helping the early icons of the Oregon wine industry. Ken goes on to share about his involvement regarding Phylloxera and fruit set. He also dives into his travels to New Zealand where he shared some Oregon wine. Later in the interview, Ken talks about his family and what he is proudest of.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on March 31, 2025 at the Chemeketa Community College Eola Campus in west Salem.

This interview is with Savannah Mills, of Brick House Vineyards. In this interview, Savannah talks about how she ended up in the Oregon wine industry after growing up in the south and having a corporate career.Savannah dives into growing up in the south and her early travels to Oregon to visit family. She shares about her decision to attend college in Colorado and how she found a corporate job after she obtained her degree. She then goes on to talk about how she decided to shift her life to wine and work her first harvest at Brick House in 2013. Savannah goes on to talk about her journey in working at Brick House and the different roles she has held. She then dives into what it has been like to be an assistant winemaker to her uncle and then be promoted to the winemaker. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Brickhouse in Newberg on March 26, 2025.

This interview is with Steve Vuylsteke of SakéOne. In this interview, Steve talks about growing up in the early Oregon wine industry and his transition to the saké industry.Steve dives into his early childhood and his parents' escapades with garage fruit winemaking. He goes on to talk about his parents' journey in creating Oak Knoll Winery and how this journey affected him. Later in the interview Steve shares about his involvement in helping to market some of the early iconic Oregon wines, like those of Erath. He then talks about his transition from wine to saké and how he faced the uphill battle with educating the early sake consumers.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on March 24, 2025 at the SakéOne office in Beaverton.

This interview is with Cara Pepper Day, of Andavi Solutions. In this interview, Cara talks about her journey in finding wine, and how she now finds herself in a job that combines alcohol and software. Cara dives into growing up in Oregon and how she eventually found herself attending college at Linfield University. She goes on to talk about her jobs after graduating in 2000 and how she soon found herself in the wine industry after working in catering.Later in the interview, Cara shares some of her many adventures and memories from being in the Oregon wine industry. She then dives into the time she spent consulting before she pursued a career in the technology industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on March 12, 2025.

This interview is with Robb Bell of Cathedral Ridge Winery. In this interview, Robb speaks about his career in marketing and how that led him into wine through connections with many of the early winemakers in California.After finding himself in Hood River, he talks about purchasing a vineyard and starting to learn about growing grapes and making wine. And he talks about the philosophy behind his wines and hospitality model, while also speaking about the growth he's seen in Oregon wine, specifically the Columbia Gorge.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on January 31, 2025 at Cathedral Ridge Winery in Hood River.

This interview is with Mark Kronquist. In this interview, Mark talks about growing up in Oregon and his journey in the Oregon wine industry.He dives into growing up in Lake Oswego and finding his way to Linfield. He then shares about meeting Myron Redford and his many memories associated with his time spent helping Myron in his "double-wide" tasting room. He then talks about his life after Linfield and how he found his life still circling wine.Later in the interview, Mark talks about IPNC and his memories associated with the event. He goes on to share his current views related to the Oregon wine industry and where he hopes it will go in the future. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on March 10, 2025 at the Troon Vineyard tasting room in McMinnville.

This interview is with Felicity Carter of Drinks Insider. In this interview, Felicity shares about growing up around Europe and finding her way to Sydney, Australia. She goes on to talk about her life and journey in both media and wine. Felicity dives into her path in becoming a journalist and how she eventually found wine. She shares about her time as a freelance writer and how she found herself writing about wine business in Australia. Later in the interview, Felicity talks about how she found her own passion for wine and the industry. She goes on to talk about her current media venture, Drinks Insider, which is an interview style podcast with different entrepreneurs in the beverage industry. Finally, she shares her aspiration to write another non-fiction book in the future.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on March 6, 2025.

This interview is with Sébastien Marquet of Sébastien Marquet Wines. In this interview, Sébastien talks about growing up in Burgundy, France and his journey to Oregon. Sébastien dives into his childhood and how he found himself making his first wine at 16. He goes on to talk about his early career in France. He also shares how he found himself organizing wine sales for the French army for a time. Later in the interview, Sébastien shares about his journey to America and his first memories and thoughts. He talks about his time in places like California and Virginia before he eventually came to Oregon in 2018. He then shares about starting his own label and what he hopes for in the future. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on March 4, 2025.

This interview is with Charles Hesson of Arborbrook Vineyards. In this interview, Charles talks about his path into the wine industry and finding Oregon. Charles shares about growing up and spending time on his great grandparents' farm outside of Dallas, Texas. He goes on to talk about the farm's wild blackberry bushes and how wine really started to click when he connected the aromas of his great grandma's fermented blackberry juice to wine. Charles goes on to talk about his experience in fine dining and how he got immersed in Italian wine. Later, he shares about transitioning out of the restaurant industry and into wine. He goes on to talk about finding Oregon and working at places like Dobbes, Alexana, and now Arborbrook.  This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Arborbrook Vineyards in Newberg on February 27, 2025.

This interview is with Simon Lowry of Petit Monde Wine Merchants. In this interview, Simon talks about growing up around wine, how he found himself in the wine distribution industry, and where he hopes to see himself in the future. Simon dives into growing up in France and how his parents' practice of enjoying a nice wine with a good meal shaped him. He shares about attending college in France and how his passion for wine was truly spurred through an informal tasting group he formed with his friends. Later in the interview, Simon talks about moving to Portland and his journey in getting involved with wine buying and distribution. He also shares some of his aspirations to have and farm and produce some small scale boutique wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Petit Monde in Portland on February 24, 2025.

This interview is with Alexis Harrington of Amica Luna and Vitae Springs. In this interview, Alexis shares her winding path to becoming a winemaker and all she is looking forward to in the future with her different projects.  Alexis talks about growing up surrounded by those in the hospitality industry and how both these people and their experiences influenced her. She goes on to share about attending culinary school, becoming a bartender, and then working a harvest at Brooks as an intern.Later in the interview, Alexis shares about her different harvests, traveling, and her transition to becoming a full-time winemaker. She goes on to talk about working with her partner at Vitae Springs and also her own label Amica Luna. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on February 12, 2025.

This interview is with Katie Sombat of Fancy Baby. In this interview, Katie shares about her journey in service, hospitality, management, and wine. She also dives into the many famous Portland restaurants she had the opportunity to work at and the many thoughts, feelings, and memories regarding both the places and the people she worked with. Katie talks about her early life and the memories associated with wine, her family, and her childhood. She goes on to share about her time in college and how she eventually found herself pursuing different wine certifications. Later in the interview, Katie shares a special saved label that represents her “a-ha” moment. She then reflects on her past and shares some thoughts regarding her future. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on February 6, 2025.

This interview is with Kristy Wenz. In this interview, Kristy speaks about her path to finding wine and her journey once she entered the industry. Kristy shares about her passion regarding stories and how her love for storytelling translates to her wine career. She goes on to share how she became hooked with wine early in life, but never sought out a career in the industry until later in her life. She then talks about how a trip to the Fingerlakes region of New York changed her life and shifted her thoughts regarding wine and her career. Later in the interview Kristy dives into working her first harvests and how she eventually found her way to Oregon. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on January 30, 2025.

This interview is with David DeLaitsch and Victoria Chavez of Spearhunter Wines. In this interview, David and Victoria talk about pursuing wine as their later career and finding their way to Oregon. Victoria dives into growing up in Texas and her first career path related to chemical engineering. She goes on to talk about how she found the UC Davis wine masters program and how that was just the beginning of her wine journey. David shares about growing up in Wisconsin and how he had limited exposure to wine growing up. He goes on to talk about traveling to Spain in his early twenties and finding a wine masters program abroad. Later in the interview, the couple dives into meeting each other, moving to Oregon, and starting their own label, Spearhunter Wines. David and Victoria also share some things they are looking forward to in the future. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Fullerton Wines tasting room in Corvallis on January 28, 2025.

This interview is with Rebecca Sweet of Buzz Cover Crop Seeds. In this interview, Rebecca shares about her path in creating her own cover crop business and becoming entwined with the Oregon wine industry. Rebecca talks about growing up and always being interested in plants. She shares about managing a blueberry farm fresh out of college and how she later found her first vineyard management job. She then dives into her involvement with the Oregon wine industry and her time with LIVE. Later in the interview, Rebecca shares about her passion for cover crops and her journey to create her own business, Buzz Cover Crop Seeds. She goes on to talk about some of her proudest accomplishments and what she hopes for in the future.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on January 27, 2025.

This interview is with Mark Sturges. In this interview, Mark talks about his early life and introduction to wine, followed by a life-altering trip he took through Europe and Asia. From there, Mark discusses his work selling wine with Henny-Hinsdale, as well as his work in organic farming and compost. He speaks of the people he's worked with and the growth he has seen in Oregon wine, specifically in viticulture and organic farming. And he reflects on some of his favorite memories surrounding his time in Oregon wine.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on November 13, 2024.

This interview is with Shea Guevara and Vince Kelsey of Maypop Wines. In this interview, Shea and Vince speak about their journey with wine and how they found themselves creating their own label, Maypop Wines. Vince dives into growing up around wine and how the vines in his backyard shaped him. He shares about his time in college and the different experiences in the wine industry he has had. Shea also dives into her childhood and how she grew up making house sparkling wine with her dad. She goes on to talk about her own journey in the wine industry and how she found herself at Furioso. The couple also shares about their jam-packed 2024, where they got married, bought property, and really started to dive into their label Maypop Wines. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Abbott Claim Winery in Carlton on January 25, 2025.

This interview is with Jennifer Warner of Dagger Daisy Wines. In this interview, Jennifer speaks about her career working in law, including owning her own law-adjacent business. She talks about how her life brought her to Oregon, where she discovered and developed an enthusiasm for the wine industry.From there, Jennifer talks about the wild process of starting her own small wine brand and the successes and challenges so far. She also looks ahead to the future for herself and the Oregon wine industry.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on January 23, 2025.

This interview is with Mike Pasquarelli of White Rose Estate. In this interview, Mike speaks about becoming interested in wine while in college at Sonoma State, and starting to work in the industry after a stint in the Peace Corps.Mike talks about working in various avenues of wine, including production, sales, retail, and distribution. He then talks about traveling the world to do wine production, before coming to Oregon and meeting his now-wife while interning at Bergstrom Wines. And he talks about how he came to work at White Rose, how it's gone so far, and what's next.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at White Rose Estate in Dayton on January 22, 2025.

This interview is with Ken & Dana Pearlman of Pearlstad Vineyard. In this interview, Ken & Dana dive into their careers and journey with wine. The couple shares how they fell in love with wine and dive into how they found themselves in Oregon owning a vineyard. They talk about entering the wine scene once they moved to San Jose, California and how they were hooked from there.Later in the interview, the couple talks about their time in the Half Moon Bay Pinot Mafia. They share how this tasting group influenced them and their decisions regarding Oregon and their vineyard. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Pearlstad Vineyard in Rickreall on October 17, 2024.

This interview is with Brian Croser. In this interview, Brian speaks about his journey in finding a career in wine while growing up in Australia and his connections to the Oregon wine industry. Brian talks about falling in love early with wine. He shares about how he found his decision to pursue a career in wine easy and made before he could even drink. He then dives into his academic journey regarding wine and his path to making wine.Later in the interview, Brian talks about his time in California, where he pursued a Master's Degree at UC Davis. He then goes on to talk about his later involvement in starting Argyle and becoming involved with the Oregon wine industry. He also speaks about the connections he forged throughout his career and life.  This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on October 11, 2024 via Zoom.

This interview is with Page, Colin, Cal, and David Knudsen. In this interview, the Knudsen kids talk about their parents' journey in establishing Knudsen Vineyards and their own journeys with the brand. The Knudsens share about their dad's passion for all things Burgandy, France. They go on to talk about how this passion inspired the planting of Knudsen Vineyards. They then go on to talk about the different business partnerships that the Knudsen label has had over the years and the resulting growth opportunities.Later in the interview, the Knudsen children talk about their own journeys and how they got to where they are now. They also share what they find most enriching about the Knudsen brand. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on September 20, 2024 at Knudsen Vineyards in Dundee.

This interview is with Miguel Marquez. In this interview, Miguel speaks about his journey to finding a career in the restaurant and beverage industry. Miguel talks about growing up in Mexico and how his family and personal experiences shaped his professional life. He shares his passion for using wine and alcohol to spur critical thinking. He then dives into how his passions converged into an opportunity at República in Portland.  Later in the interview, Miguel talks about his different roles from being an educator in AHIVOY to dreaming up the best food and beverage pairings at República. He also shares some of his hopes for his future and the future of Oregon wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on September 19, 2024 at República in Portland.

This interview is with Elle Holcomb of L Wine Co and Björnson. In this interview, Elle talks about her journey to finding wine and Oregon. Elle shares about growing up in Cleveland, Ohio and her dream of going wine tasting. She dives into how this dream paved her path and eventually came true during her college years. She goes on to talk about her career shift from business, to restaurants, to wine.Later in the interview, Elle talks about her passion for learning all things wine. She goes on to share about finding Oregon and her journey with the production side of wine. Elle leaves us with some of her hopes for her own label, L Wine Co. and where she sees the industry going as a whole.  This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on September 6, 2024 at Björnson in Salem.