The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Ken Cook of Cherry Hil Winery. In this interview, Ken talks about how he got into the wine industry, and his work in the Oregon industry.Ken talks about his time in the Air Force working as a mechanic, and about his time as a firefighter. Time in Germany shaped his palate, and he became excited about the potential of working with wine.Later Ken talks about his winemaking education and his work at Cherry Hill, starting as an intern and ending as the head winemaker. He then talks about his retirement and what he's been up to after wine.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on December 17, 2025.

This interview is with Nick Konen, an alumnus of Linfield University and a vineyard manager in Oregon's wine industry.Nick talks about his educational and career journey, including growing up in Beaverton, Oregon, attending Linfield because he wanted a smaller school, playing tennis, studying abroad, and majoring in business and sports management. He explains how an introductory wine class and further coursework at Chemeketa Community College helped spark his interest in viticulture, leading him to earn his WSET Level 2 certification and pursue vineyard management.  Next, Nick discusses his professional experiences, such as working part time in international programs, teaching English abroad in Spain, learning Spanish, and eventually returning to Oregon to work at Forest Hills Farms in HR and compliance. He also describes learning hands-on vineyard practices, and managing the growth and sale of grapes.Nick also talks about his current work and interests, including continuing his work at Forest Hills Farms, using drones to scout the vineyard, selling grapes to different wineries, organizing a wine festival, and his excitement about the future of the wine industry.  This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library on December 15, 2025.

This interview is with Jerry Murray, an Oregon-based winemaker. In this interview, Jerry talks about his background, his unconventional path into winemaking, and his philosophy surrounding lifelong learning, experimentation, and creativity into wine. Jerry talks about his early life and career, explaining that he originally worked in the sciences before moving to Arizona, where he worked various kitchen jobs. He describes how working wine dinners every few weeks helped spark his interest in wine, eventually leading him to move to Oregon and pursue winemaking as a balance between science and food. Next, Jerry discusses his education and early professional experiences. He shares that he is originally from Ohio, attended Ohio University, and was a track and field athlete who initially wanted to become a coach. He talks about attending graduate school and teaching anatomy before moving to New Orleans. Jerry also talks about his extensive winemaking journey, including working at Erath winery and traveling internationally for harvests in New Zealand and Germany. He explains working multiple vintages at Panther Creek, taking classes at Chemeketa Community College, and continuing to develop his skills through hands-on winemaking. Jerry now works as the winemaker and owner of project M, where he focuses on small-lot, owner-driven wines and constant experimentation. Jerry highlights how these experiences shaped his winemaking style and perspective.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library on December 11, 2025.

This interview is with Céline Fauveau Schaff of Fine Wine Circle PDX. In this interview, Céline talks about her background in science, food, and wine, and how her interests have evolved over time.Céline talks about being French-born and raised in Toulouse, France, where she studied biology, food science, and wine. She explains how she initially pursued wine analysis but found the work too practical, which led her to want to travel. After moving to London following her food science degree, she became involved in managing a wine exhibition.Next, Céline discusses her career path after graduating, including traveling and internships before moving to California for work while her sisters lived close by in Oregon. She explains that she visited Oregon on weekends to see them, during which, she became more connected to the wine industry, met her husband, and eventually decided to move to Oregon permanently.Céline also talks about her current work and future goals, including her involvement with the Oregon Wine Board, Fine Wine Circle PDX, and research connecting wine and artificial intelligence. She explains her interest in combining wine and AI—specifically carbon leap—and discusses both the opportunities and challenges of using the tool. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at  L'Echelle Bistro on December 10, 2025.

This interview is with Bethany Ford of Illahe Vineyards. In this interview, Bethany talks about how she got into the wine industry, and why she prioritizes working both distribution and harvest.Bethany shares about getting her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts in Los Angeles, and how she go bit by the wine bug while there. While she grew up in Northern California, she traveled often to the Pacific Northwest and really loved the Portland area.Bethany talks about moving to Portland and joining the wine industry in 2005, working in the tasting room at Domaine Serene. After a few years she decided she wanted to work in distribution, and in 2007 she also began helping with harvest work.Later in the interview, Bethany discusses coming to Illahe Vineyards in 2009 to help with distribution, bring the tasting room plans into fruition, and take part in the harvest process. She talks about the importance of relationships and community in the industry, and how both help her to succeed.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Illahe Vineyards in Dallas, Oregon on December 9, 2025.

This interview is with Nathan Litke of Illahe Vineyards and Winery. In this interview, Nathan talks about his background, his journey into winemaking, and the philosophy and practices that define Illahe Vineyards. Nathan talks about spending his early 20's working various jobs, including raft guiding in Colorado, before returning to school, he explains how attending the Chemeketa Community College wine program introduced him to winemaking through hands-on experience, such as working in tasting rooms and participating in harvests. Next, Nathan discusses his move to Salem and later Dallas, Oregon, and how his career progressed into a more permanent role in the wine industry. He explains becoming the assistant winemaker at the Illahe Vineyards in 2016 and talks about the challenges of producing between 6,000 and 25,000 cases of wine. Nathan shares that he enjoys problem-solving and lots of experimentation with wine. Nathan also discusses Illahe Vineyards' commitment to traditional winemaking methods. He explains that Illahe is known for producing a wine without electricity or horsepower, instead of relying on horses, hand-hauling, and technology created before 1899. He talks about the Rainbow Mug policy, and Illahe's goal of making high-quality wines that remain accessible at a reasonable price point.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Illahe Vineyards on December 9, 2025.

This interview is with Piper Underbrink and Ben Stalker of Sealionne. In this interview, Piper and Ben talk about meeting in 2019, moving to Oregon, and starting their own wine label.Ben talks about going to school for design and architecture in Durango, Colorado before moving to Salt Lake City, where he met Piper. They moved to Oregon in 2020 so Ben could go to University of Oregon for their architecture program and Piper could make wine.Piper speaks about taking over the Privé brand in 2020 with oversight from the original owners. She emphasizes their focus on “old school Oregon winemaking” as the philosophy behind the brand, as well as putting her own influence on it.Ben and Piper talk about finding the West Wind Vineyard which they purchased in 2021, and from which they started their own brand: Sealionne. They started pouring their wines for the public out of an Airstream trailer - remodeled by Ben - and their labels are designed each year by Ben's sister. They strive to keep this label, fresh, bright, and acidic.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Privé Vineyard in Newberg on November 20, 2025.

This interview is with Manuel Recio of Abbott Claim. In this interview, Manuel talks about the different decades of his life and the 3 main paths he has taken so far.Manuel talks about spending his 20s working in advertising and marketing, working for companies in Florida and later Oregon after moving there with his wife Leslie. They met while studying abroad in Spain, and Leslie was attending Linfield at the time.Next, in his 30s, Manuel and Leslie lived in Grand Island and owned Veridian Farms. Manuel shared about taking boxes of produce and marketing materials to restaurants in Portland to encourage chefs to buy ingredients directly from their farm.Manuel also discusses focusing on specialty foods and wine in his 40s. He started by becoming one of the few master carvers of Jamón Ibérico in the United States, and continued on to receive his Level 3 WSET certification and study winemaking at UC Davis. He worked at several different wineries during that time, including Domaine Drouhin, Cristom, Domaine Serene, and Abbott Claim.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library on November 20, 2025.

This interview is with Dave and Sarah Gregory of Ora et Labora Wine Shop. In this interview, Dave and Sarah talk about beginning to take an interest in wine, taking educational courses, and eventually opening their own space to make wine more approachable for others.Dave talks about going to school to study theology and education, and earning several degrees while he was there. After his journey to become a Jesuit priest was cut short, he became a high school teacher in California.Sarah discusses growing up in Oregon and going to school to be a journalist. She also received her Master's in Public Administration. She and Dave met on OkCupid and dated long distance for a year before he moved to Oregon.Together, Dave and Sarah opened Ora et Labora (“Prayer and Work”) in December 2022. With people showing up for both a casual glass and Foundations wine classes, they were pleasantly surprised at how quickly the neighborhood embraced their business. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Ora et Labora Wine Shop in Portland on November 19, 2025.

This interview is with Jen Cossey of Brooks Winery. In this interview, Jen talks about her 30-year path in hospitality, beginning with her childhood in Missouri and Kansas City and her early interest in photojournalism. She shares how she shifted from photography art education, eventually discovering wine while working harvest and serving in restaurants. Jen talks about building a career through connection—moving from Kansas City to Oregon, working in testing rooms, managing events, and helping develop marketing and community programs. She shares about balancing career and motherhood, returning to Oregon in 2020, and ultimately becoming the general manager at Brooks, where she now oversees the winer's full wine and spirits business.Jen also discusses creating environments that bring people together, the importance of clam leadership (especially during COVID), and her work with organizations such as ¡Salud!, Women in Wine, and Wine Atlas Collective.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Brooks Winery in Amity on November 12, 2025.

This interview is with Geoff Hall of Argyle Winery. In this interview, Geoff talks about how he got involved in wine - first through botany, then viticulture, and finally through the people he met along the way.Geoff shares about growing up in Boise and attending the University of Idaho with intentions of becoming a doctor. That changed when he took a course in botany, and his professor encouraged him to find a career path he was more passionate about.Geoff talks about being introduced to the viticulture industry and beginning a Master's program, where he studied and published papers about an issue known as “berry shrivel.” Through these studies, he connected with many people in the industry and worked harvests in both Italy and Tasmania.Geoff shares about being interested in the Oregon wine industry and coming to work at Adelsheim. After working at Chateau St. Michele and Erath, he joined the team at Argyle, first as the vineyard manager and now in operations for the entire winery. He also talks about his involvement in the AHIVOY organization.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Argyle Winery in Newberg on November 18, 2025.

This interview is with Claudia Bowers, a wine sales manager. In this interview, Claudia talks about her childhood in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and her move to San Fransisco as a teenager.Claudia shares about her years working in the beauty industry, helping her sister in the wine world, and eventually discovering her passion for wine. She discusses taking WSET courses, managing tasting rooms and wine clubs, and creating her “On Tour” tasting experiences.She also reflects on her family influences, her love for cooking and travel, and her goals of taking wine education to older audiences and expanding internationally. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt through Zoom at Linfield University on November 11, 2025.

This interview is with Ben Eyer and Stephanie Bojarski of Finite Cellars. In this interview, Stephanie and Ben talk about how their shared interest in wine began in graduate school. Ben was pursuing a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, and Stephanie was an engineering Ph.D. student. They share their story of moving from Pennsylvania to Oregon, despite having no prior familiarity with the state—where Ben gained hands-on experience through harvest jobs and Stephane continued her career at Intel, transitioning from research into quantitative computing. Stephanie and Ben talk about building Finite Cellars from the ground up, from naming the company to sourcing fruit, designing the label, and imagining a wine brand centered on bringing people closer together. They also discus logistics of starting a wine business while raising their children and balancing demanding careers with their long-term vision.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library in McMinnville on November 3, 2025.

This interview is with Lisa Parks of Brut Wine Bar. In this interview, Lisa talks about her journey from working in crisis counseling and concert promotion to owning a wine bar and building community in Astoria, Oregon.Lisa shares about her time living in Denver and later moving to Oregon — her first time living on the West Coast. After years of working in psychology and event work, she wanted a change and purchased a wine bar in Astoria. Lisa discusses her interest in creating a gathering place where people could connect over wine and conversation.She also reflects on the learning curve of running a wine bar while recovering from foot surgery, and how travel and exposure to old-world wines deepened her appreciation for different wine styles.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Brut Wine Bar in Astoria on October 20, 2025.

This interview is with Thomas Houseman of Radiant Sparkling Wine Company. In this follow-up interview, Thomas talks about what he has been up to since we last spoke in 2018.Last time we spoke to Thomas he was working at Anne Amie as the winemaker. He was just starting to make sparkling wine and he worked with Radiant to bottle it. Thomas talks about making the move to Michigan to make wine with Two Lads Winery to further his sparkling wine knowledge. In 2023, Thomas returned to Oregon to join Radiant Sparkling Wine. Bringing his wine journey full circle, he is now the general manager of the company.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Radiant in McMinnville on October 23, 2025.

This interview is with Tiquette Bramlett of Henderson Ave Wines. In this follow-up interview, Tiquette talks about what she has been up to since we last spoke in 2021 and her new wine label.Tiquette shares about her wine education and becoming a sommelier. In her class, she was most drawn to Oregon wines, and a mentor encouraged her to visit Oregon wine country.Tiquette talks about coming to the Willamette Valley for the first time and a temporary visit turning into a permanent move. She worked at several different wineries in the valley and learned much from each of her mentors.Later in the interview, Tiquette discusses starting her own wine label, Henderson Ave Wines. The label is named after the street her mom grew up on, and she hopes her wine encourages connection with a welcoming feel.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library in McMinnville on October 15, 2025.

This interview is with Jody Bogle of Bogle Family Vineyards. In this interview, Jody talks about her family's wine business and her time at Linfield.Jody shares about her family's history of farming: her grandpa was an early wine pioneer in the Clarksburg region of California. Her parents started Bogle Family Vineyards in 1968, so she jokes that she never knew there was another career option outside of wine.Jody talks about her family's history with Linfield, how both her parents attended the school, and she her first time on campus for a basketball camp. She graduated with a degree in English and teaching credentials, and stayed in the Portland area to teach.Later in the interview, Jody discusses moving back home to California and working with her family at the winery. After her dad passed away, the family came together to ensure the winery continued forward. Now, Jody works as the Vice President of Consumer Relations.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library in McMinnville on October 9, 2025.

This interview is with Jules Moseley of Harvest Moon Sangria Bar. In this interview, Jules talks about her work in the hospitality industry and how it led her to sangria.Jules shares about growing up in Newberg and working her first hospitality job at Jem 100, a classic diner in town. She loved working with people and “the instant gratification of a tip,” so she knew she wanted to stay in the industry.Jules talks about moving to Hawaii and working at Kuleana Rum Shack starting in 2019. It was here that she learned to think outside the box when it comes to mixed drinks, like making classic cocktails with rum - or with Pinot Noir.Jules shares about moving back to Oregon in 2020 and finally deciding to open her own business. This was the beginning of Harvest Moon, which started as a booth at a farmers' market, turned into a food truck, and now resides in two brick and mortar locations.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library in McMinnville on October 1, 2025.

This interview is with Patrick Spencer of the Natural Cork Council. In this interview, Patrick shares his journey from restaurants to wine to cork.Patrick was born and raised in Conneticut, where his parents owned a "classic American steakhouse." He was involved in the restaurant world early on, and in 2005 opened his own French restaurant in the Berkshires.In 2008, he moved to Oregon and was hired at Willamette Valley Vineyards as their Sustainability Coordinator. It was during a trip to Portugal that he became fascinated with cork forests and the families that farmed them.After starting a cork recycling program in the states, through which he worked with Whole Foods stores across the country, Patrick set his sights on a career focused on cork. He helped to start the nonprofit Cork Forest Alliance and was later hired by the Natural Cork Council out of California, where he still works today.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Libray at Linfield University in McMinnville on September 24, 2025.

This interview is with Angela Gargano of Fresh Take Creative. In this interview, Angela talks about her journey to start her boutique marketing agency and some of the careers and hobbies she's explored along the way.Angela shares about growing up in the midwest and working in her family's fine-dining Italian restaurant. She remembers wine being very special to her family, and her dad asking her opinion about wines brought by merchants. She also speaks to visiting family in Sicily and discovering how important wine was to that culture.Angela talks about her various careers since high school, including buying wine for Cost Plus World Market, owning a yoga studio, working harvests in Sonoma, and acting as the wine director at Triple Creek Ranch in Montana. After planning to move back to Sonoma in 2020, wildfires caused her to spend some time on in Oregon instead, and she's been here ever since.Angela shares about beginning to work in marketing for wineries, and that leading her to open her own marketing agency, Fresh Take Creative. She speaks to the current challenges she sees in the wine industry as well as her hopes for the future, and she encourages wineries to pinpoint a unique point in their story that sets them apart from other labels.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Angela's home in Amity on September 11, 2025.

This interview is with Jack Trenhaile of Hyland Estates. In this interview, Jack talks about becoming the vineyard manager at Hyland in McMinnville and his work over those 31 years.Jack shares about growing up on a farm in northeast Nebraska, attending a one-room schoolhouse until high school, and then leaving home to join the Air Force. In 1968, Jack and his wife moved so he could attend the University of Hawaii, where he worked for a bookstore and started a hobby farm in their backyard.Jack talks about moving back to Oregon in 1973, purchasing a farm in McMinnville, and hearing about “the vineyard up the hill.” After meeting the four owners of Hyland Orchard, as it was known originally, Jack became the vineyard manager on January 3, 1976.Jack shares the early days of the Oregon wine industry, including working with other pioneers to prune and trellis the vineyard, attending monthly meetings at the Tigard Fire Hall, and digging up one of the first vines known to be infected with phylloxera. Jack was president of the company at the time of the sale in 2007.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Jack's home in Newberg on September 10, 2025.

This interview is with Mike Bathurst of Vin de Garde. In this interview, Mike talks about starting his own wine importing business and his travels through France to meet producers.Mike shares about growing up in Detroit before moving to the west coast as an adult. He worked many years as a CPA and later with mergers and acquisitions, both in Portland and San Francisco. It was in SF that he joined a wine tasting group and his interest was sparked.Mike talks about starting to work for another importer and beginning to travel to Europe to meet producers. When he felt like it was time to start his own business, Vin de Garde (“cellar-worthy”) was born. He speaks to the differences between US and European producers and the importance of knowing who you're working with.Later in the interview, Mike shares what he sees for the future of the wine industry, both locally and internationally. He sees that many people now purchase wine online rather than in bottle shops and how that shift is changing the game for importers.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Mike's home in Portland on August 26, 2025.

This interview is with Mike, Mary Ann, and Meara McNally of Fairsing Vineyard. In this interview, the McNally family talks about their move from Texas to Oregon, and the shift from grape growers to wine producers.Mike, Mary Ann, and Meara McNally share about moving to Oregon in 2005 in search of a new project. Mary Ann had studied wine at Grayson College in Texas, and she had visited Oregon several times to see family and taste wine.The family talks about the process of bringing the vineyard online, building their family home, and later starting to make wine from their estate fruit. In 2016, they opened their new tasting room and welcomed the public. Their brand, Fairsing, means “bountiful” or “wide vista” in the Irish language.Later in the interview, Mike, Mary Ann, and Meara talk about their various hobbies including gardening, beekeeping, and Irish dancing. They also talk about their work with various sustainability projects and Mike's work with the Willamette Valley Wine Foundation.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Fairsing Vineyard in Yamhill on August 25, 2025.

This interview is with Anna Hanson of Granville Wine Co. In this interview, Anna talks about first getting into the wine scene in northwest Indiana and her eventual move to Oregon wine country.Anna shares about her first career in photo journalism and videography, in which she took pictures and videos of events in her hometown. She was also a concert promoter, taking that media and using it to spread the word about which bands were coming to town.After her friend opened a wine bar, she started working there and even  managed it for several years, allowing her to taste wine from all over the world. She was hooked, and in 2019 she moved to New Zealand to work at a winery called Huia.Later in the interview, Anna talks about moving back to the States right before NZ shut down in 2020 and coming to Oregon shortly thereafter to work at Johan Vineyards. She also worked at Sequitur before finally landing at Granville. She speaks to the various learning experiences she has had at each vineyard, and the importance of sharing that winery's story.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Granville Wine Co. on August 20, 2025.

This interview is with Eric Foster. In this interview, Eric talks about his experience working with several different wineries, including Keeler, Duke's, Andante, and Left Coast.Eric shares about his introduction to the wine industry when a friend asked him to join the harvest crew at Keeler in 2017. After this, he worked another harvest at Duke's and at Andante. Around that time, Eric was also attending Oregon State to study earth science and oceanography.Later in the interview, Eric discusses his more recent cellar job at Left Coast and what it was like to work in the cellar full-time rather than just during harvest. He also talks about his passion for the rehabilitation of the oak savannah ecosystem, which Left Coast devotes a portion of their land to.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Erratic Rock State Park in McMinnville on August 19, 2025.

This interview is with Blair and L.J. Nicholas of LucidWild Estate. In this interview, Blair and L.J. talk about their life in California before wine and how they ended up owning a vineyard in Dundee.Before wine, L.J. worked in the fitness industry in operations and marketing, and Blair worked as a security fraud lawyer. They started becoming interested in wine as an alternative to other alcohols, and soon began traveling internationally to taste and learn more.After starting a backyard vineyard in San Diego, Blair and L.J. came to IPNC to experience the Willamette Valley. They quickly fell in love with the area and decided to invest in a vineyard.Later in the interview, Blair and L.J. talk about the process of taking over what is now the LucidWild Estate, what went into designing the new tasting room and all its unique spaces, and what they hope guests take away from their experience.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at LucidWild in Dundee on August 19, 2025.

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.