The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Jen Parr of Valli Wines in New Zealand. In this interview, Jen talks about her plethora of experiences in different wine regions of the world. Jen talks about growing up in Portland and eventually heading to Stanford University pursuing a degree in English literature. During her time at Stanford, she discovered the wine industry for the first time. After graduating, she transitioned into financial software sales until she found she was hitting snooze on her alarm every morning, not excited to go to work. From there, she decided she wanted to work in the wine industry because she wanted to drink wine that was out of her price range and make a livelihood out of this passion.Jen discusses how she sent around 45 letters to wineries in hopes they would be willing to let her work a harvest. Since she didn't have any experience at the time, she received many rejections, if any response at all. However, a special place responded and gave her a chance. After working her first harvest, Jen went around the world working at different companies and learning about the unique qualities of each place. Jen specifically notes her formative time in South Africa because of the team she worked with. Eventually, she settled at Valli Wines in New Zealand, where she works today and plans on staying. Later in the interview, Jen talks about the future of the industry. Jen believes the industry needs to work with consumers to help them find the language of wine and explain why they like what they like. Jen describes wine as “liquid language” as it connects people, place, and time. Jen compares the future of the industry to Darwinism, and explains how the wineries that are able to adapt and listen will survive. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Jen's childhood home in Portland on June 8, 2026.

This interview is with Bruce Felix of Pacific Winemaking. In this interview, Bruce explains how he transitioned into the wine industry and his thoughts on the future of Oregon wine. Bruce talks about working in petrochemicals and paint after he moved to Australia with an exchange student. Not only did Bruce sell petrochemicals, he also sold tartaric acid to winemakers, sparking his initial interest in wine. Through these jobs, Bruce was able to travel all over the world and try different wines. It was when his friend moved into the wine industry and started a wine supply company that Bruce made the switch into the industry as well. This company is known as Vinvicta Services.Bruce discusses how he ended up in the Oregon wine industry specifically. In 2005, Bruce wanted to come back to the United States for family and was looking for a place to settle. It turns out, Oregon was the perfect fit, so he started his current company, Pacific Winemaking, in March of 2006. He began the services as a one-man operation which has grown significantly over the years. This year, Pacific Winemaking celebrates 20 years of business. Later in the interview, Bruce talks about the future of the industry. He believes that people are not done drinking wine and that wine will always have a place. He explains that wineries need to tailor-make their production and get rid of the backlog of product from overproduction. Bruce also emphasizes using new technology within the industry. He discusses how a lot of new technology is trailed in Europe, but not the United States. His company would like to introduce these tactics to the Unites States to improve production.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Bruce's home in Hillsboro on June 8, 2026.

This interview is with Jason Flaig of Northwest Distribution and Storage. In this interview, Jason explains his long road into the wine industry and the unique service his company provides. Jason talks about the beginning of his journey that is rather complicated. He started out as pre-med student before he got married and had a family. When he returned to school he decided to pursue a degree in education. When that didn't work out, Jason pursued the law and became a paralegal. After he realized that wasn't his path either, he started working in logistics where NWDS was one of his clients. After developing a relationship with the owner of NWDS, Jason transitioned into working in sales at the company.Jason discusses the purpose of his company within the wine industry. Although it's not usually what people think of when they think of wine, NWDS has a vital role within the industry. NWSD offers service and storage. While the facility is where winemakers store their wine for safe keeping, whether to let it age or store before selling in a temperature controlled facility, Jason believes the true assets the company offers to its clients is their people. Jason uses his newest degree of counseling to facilitate exceptional service for their clients.Later in the interview, Jason talks about how he made his way to the top of the company. Beginning in sales in 2007, Jason took on many roles within the company that helped them succeed. After moving up as president in 2012, Jason and four others bought the company from the previous owner in 2018, and became one of three owners in 2022. Without prior knowledge of wine, Jason asked questions to learn and established a name for his company within the Oregon wine industry.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Northwest Distribution and Storage on June 5, 2026.

This interview is with Brian Zielinski of Scenic Valley Farms. In this interview, Brian shares about growing up on the farm and how wine worked its way into the family's livelihood. Brian talks about how grapes made their way into the family's farm. The farm was constantly rotating the crops to best utilize the land. From strawberries to beans to corn, the farm has seen a lot of produce. Once the farm settled on grapes, they realized they could coordinate with winemakers and make wine directly from their own fruit. The family planted grapes in 2008 and had their first successful harvest in 2012 after a comical, yet educational harvest in 2011. Brian discusses working with his father in the new venture of grapes and wine. Not a drinker himself, Bob Zielinski was skeptical about his son's new idea so Brian established the “hypothetical bridge” to lessen the familial head-bumping. After successfully planting grapes for whites, the farm purchased a vineyard to grow for reds. Now, the farm features their wines in a self-built tasting room on-site.Later in the interview, Brian talks about the reality of growing up on the farm. While there were difficult tasks, it taught him resilience and responsibility. He claims that he wouldn't have wanted to grow up in any other way. Some of his best memories were those he made on the farm with his father. These days, Brian is making memories working on the farm with his own children. His proudest moment was seeing his kids being excited about working on the farm.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Scenic Valley Farms in Gervais on June 4, 2026.

This interview is with Jillian Barnhart of Lux Nova Creative. In this interview, Jillian shares her many experiences as a photographer, marketer, and the many hobbies she has collected along the way. She believes these experiences give her a unique set of skills that benefit her clients.Jillian talks about how she began in photography by moving to Los Angeles to work in the music industry and fell in love with metal music. She photographed many famous names during concerts and even photographed album covers. After working in photography, Jillian began working in LA restaurants.Jillian discusses her introduction into the industry as wine reps would come into the restaurants she worked at and have her taste wines. She discovered she had a good palate and that wine was like nothing else. From there, she got multiple wine certifications and started working as a rep in Oregon after moving from LA with her husband in 2016. Soon after, she started working as a director of marketing for Brooks Wine.Later in the interview, Jillian talks about why she started her own company and how she runs it. She has worked in every side of the industry and offers a broad range of skills. She creates all of the content for her clients herself and believes wine is supposed to be fun. Jillian also gives advice on how the wine industry can appeal to younger generations.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Jillian's home in Salem on June 3, 2026.

This interview is with Avery Hadley of Gala Creative Agency. In this interview, Avery talks about his young company and what it aims to do for hospitality-based clients.Avery talks about after graduating from Oregon State University, he sent out 380 applications in search for a job. Originally from Salem, Avery knew some local businesses that he was able to photograph for and eventually manage their social media. Word of mouth spread his work throughout the community where he secured more clients. After collecting consistent clients, he and his partner discussed opening their own creative agency.Avery discusses how he chose the hospitality industry because of his mom. While his parents weren't necessarily wine drinkers, Avery grew to love what wine brought to social settings. To Avery, wine is the best delivery mechanism for storytelling. Later in the interview, Avery talks about how he feels about the current climate of the wine industry. While his agency aims to mimic the voice of the brand, he believes it is imports to cater to the younger generation as well. He discusses the value of the longterm return from these young wine drinkers.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville on June 2, 2026.

This interview is with Diego Valeri of Conur Wines. In this interview, Diego talks about his journey of becoming a professional soccer player with the Portland Timbers and eventually creating his own wine company.Diego talks about how creating a wine company was not actually his idea, but his wife, Florencia's scheme. However, Diego planned to wait until he retired to begin the endeavor. After nine reasons with the Timbers, Diego and his family moved to Florida where he met Frederico Garobbio and his wife Luci who were from the same area of Argentina. The stars aligned when Frederico revealed that it was his dream to produce wine. Diego discusses his connection to wine as the center of communication and celebration. To Diego, wine was always in the middle of socializing and friendship. As the company began with four Argentinians who live in the United States, the team wanted to put their blended cultures in the bottle. Along with what is inside the bottle, the design of the labels features a cartoon dog with a special meaning to the four owners. Florencia even writes a special story on the back of each label.Later in the interview, Diego talks about the uniqueness of Conur Wines. Specifically, Conur produces a white blend called “Mate” that blends Argentina and Oregon grapes. He also discusses his 70/30 blend of pinot and Malbec that mirrors a popular drink in Argentina.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Northwest Wine Company in Dundee on June 2, 2026.

This interview is with Jim Maresh of Arterberry Maresh. In this interview, Jim talks about growing up on the family farm, becoming interested in wine, and starting his own wine label.Jim talks about his family's history in Dundee. His grandparents Jim and Loie purchased the property on Worden Hill Road in 1959 and began planting many different crops. Jim's dad, Fred Arterberry, met his mom, Martha Maresh, while working at Erath. Fred started making wine under the Arterberry label in 1979.Jim discusses getting into the wine industry himself in 2003, working at the Carlton Winemakers Studio under the Penner-Ash brand. In 2005, he began his own label called Arterberry Maresh, honoring both sides of his family history. He has made wine every year since and overviews the memorable vintages.Later in the interview, Jim talks about how his winemaking style has evolved over his 20+ years in the industry. He also touches on becoming a dad and how that changed his approach towards his work. As for the future, he doesn't plan on retiring from winemaking anytime soon.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Jim's home in McMinnville on May 29, 2026.

This interview is with Emily Rozga of Soter Vineyards. Emily is originally from Santa Rosa, California, and talks about growing up around food, agriculture, and the outdoors. She shares how those early interests led her to attend Cal Poly with the focus on wine and viticulture, initially believing winemaking would be her future. Through internships, harvest experiences, and working in tasting rooms and cellars, she discovered she was more drawn to vineyard health and grape growing than production itself. Emily discusses wanting to see more of the world after college, traveling internationally, gaining hands-on vineyard experience abroad, including time in New Zealand. She reflects on returning to California, working in Napa, and eventually stepping away from the wine industry for a period to work in organic vegetable farming in the Pacific Northwest. The experience deepened her interest in ecology, sustainability, and long-term land health.Next, Emily talks about how she returned to wine with a different perspective—focused less on winemaking and more on viticulture, vineyard systems, and environmental stewardship. She talks about collecting vineyard data, monitoring pest and disease, improving crop health, and helping create long-term solutions for sustainable farming practices. She also shares how finding community within Oregon agriculture and the wine industry played an important role in her career. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in Sheridan, Oregon on May 14, 2026.

This interview is with Wayne Oppenheimer of A Great Oregon Wine Tour and WineUp.Wayne is originally from Seattle, Washington, and was raised in Beaverton, Oregon. He talks about first becoming interested in wine in his early twenties after attending a tasting and realizing how different wines could be from one another. The curiosity led him to dive deeper into what he describes as “liquid geography,” eventually pushing him toward a career centered around wine and hospitality. Wayne discusses attending Portland State University for economics while always feeling drawn toward the wine industry. After visiting Napa Valley, he began reaching out to wineries directly and eventually landed a position working in public relations and hospitality. He reflects on working as a tour guide, meeting people from around the world, and discovering that wine was as much about storytelling and connection as it was about the product itself.Wayne talks about various businesses he has created, including starting wine tour companies, wine clubs, retail projects and WineUpTV, which is a show focused on interviewing people throughout the wine world. He talks about businesses alongside his wife, Camille, growing A Great Oregon Wine Tour over the years, and creating spaces that introduce people to wines from across the globe.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in Newberg, Oregon on May 19, 2026.

This interview is with Jay Pscheidt of Oregon State University. In this interview, Jay talks about how he came to be in Oregon, transitioning from studying potatoes to all kinds of woody perennials.Jay talks about his journey from pre-med to bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin. After attending a lecture by a plant pathologist, he realized he could apply all his newfound knowledge for the betterment of growers in his area.Jay discusses beginning to work at Cornell, where he switched his focus from potato plants to grapevines. There in New York, he studied a combination of grapes grown for wine and table or juice grapes.Later in the interview, Jay talks about moving to Oregon and getting a job with OSU. He really enjoyed extension services and embedding himself in the community in that way. In addition to teaching a field diagnostic course, in which students traveled all around the state to study different crops, Jay was also in charge of the yearly Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Management Handbook publication.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Oregon State University's Botany & Plant Pathology Field Laboratory in Corvallis on April 28, 2026.On March 26, 2026, Jay gave a lecture at Chemeketa Community College's Eola Campus outlining the highlights of his 38-year career with OSU's extension plant pathology department. He summarizes some of his team's key findings while working with 21 different crops, estimating some 4,400 treatments studied for plant disease management.

This interview is with Anna Jesse of Forest Hills Farms, a third-generation farmer helping lead a family operation that has grown from strawberry fields in the 1950s into thousands of acres producing blueberries, wine grapes, corn, and other crops across Oregon. Anna is from Cornelius, Oregon, and talks about growing up in Forest Hills Farms, spending years working in vineyards and agriculture, and learning firsthand what is means to be part of a multigenerational farming family. She shares how attending Oregon State University initially led her towards business, changing majors, and developing a stronger appreciation for the connection between farming, land, and community. Anna discusses working internships and gaining experiences outside the family business, including time at Northwest Wine Company, where she worked in operations and earned more about the wine industry before eventually returning home. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Forest Hills Farm in Cornelius, Oregon on May 13, 2026.

This interview is with Davis Palmer of McMennamin's Edgefield Winery. In this interview, Davis talks about his early fascination with fermentation leading him to working at McMennanmin's in beer production. Working in a variety of brewpubs within the company allowed him to work on honing the house style while also experimenting with new fun recipes.He talks about being intrigued by winemaking and viewing it as more dynamic work, and joining the winemaking team at Edgefield for harvest in 2000. Soon after he joined at the cellarmaster, then later the head winemaker. He talked about the evolution of his work and the evolution of the production in that time.Later, Davis talks about how he's seen the Oregon wine industry grow and where it might go next. He also discusses Edgefield's evolution and what he's looking forward to.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville on April 13, 2026.

This interview is with Morgan White of Amaterra. In this interview, Morgan talks about her career in the wine industry, from moving to Oregon without having a harvest job lined up to becoming the winemaker at Amaterra.Morgan shares about going to the University of Florida for physiology & kinesiology with plans of becoming a physical therapist. After graduation, she and a friend visited Mendoza, Argentina, and she fell in love with the wine culture there. Upon returning to Florida, she took a sommelier course and began working at wine bars and restaurants.Morgan talks about her first harvest in 2017 at Apolloni Vineyards and becoming their cellar master. There, she learned to solve problems in the moment, which helped her become a better winemaker. She also began working with Matt Vuylsteke, Amaterra's founding winemaker, as the fruit was processed at the Apolloni facility.Later in the interview, Morgan discusses joining the Amaterra team for the 2021 harvest. The multi-floor winery was still under construction, so she again learned to pivot and make things work while the site was in flux. Now as winemaker, she is enjoying finding her unique winemaking voice and trying new things.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Amaterra in Portland on April 14, 2026.

This interview is with John Platt of Helvetia Winery. In this interview, John talks about moving off a houseboat to Helvetia, planting grapes, and expanding his business into a winery.John shares about moving to the Helvetia area after a piece of land came up for sale and meeting with an extension agent to determine what kinds of crops he should plant. Among the list was grapes, which John and his wife Elizabeth planted with the intention of selling fruit to home winemakers.John talks about his other work during that time, including legal work with Pacific Northwest Native American tribes and their fishing rights, as well as Elizabeth's work in politics including a 6-year term in Congress. As they began planting the vineyard and building the winery, they were flying back and forth to DC for her career.Later in the interview, John discusses how he went about deciding what to plant, collaboration with many in the industry, and learning to farm grapes by “looking it up” and “making mistakes.” Within 20 years of planting the vineyard, he had purchased additional land to build a winery and host guests at the house-turned-tasting room. While he sees lots of challenges facing the industry in the future, he's also optimistic that the industry will continue on for years to come.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Helvetia Winery in Hillsboro on April 6, 2026.

This interview is with Kevin Pogue, of VinTerra. Kevin is a geologist, educator, and wine industry consultant whose career has taken him from the caves and mountains of Kentucky to studying tectonics in Pakistan, teaching geology for decades, and eventually becoming deeply involved in viticulture and wine regions across the country. Kevin is originally from the Bluegrass region of Lexington, Kentucky and talks about spending much of his early life outdoors; he enjoys caving, climbing, skiing, and exploring the mountains, which sparked his interest in geology. Hediscusses his decades-long career in education, beginning college-level teaching at 22 and spending 35 years teaching different types of geology. He talks about mentoring students, his time at Oregon State and Whitman College, and the fulfillment he found in helping others learn about what he loved so much. The conversation explores how Kevin developed an interest in wine through geology, eventually consulting with grape growers in Walla Walla and helping evaluate terroir — the relationship between soil, climate, and land characteristics in wine production. He explains his involvement with AVA applications across the country and how geology connects directly to agriculture and wine.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in Portland, Oregon on April 3, 2026.

This interview is with Tim and Kathy O'Leary of Long Walk Vineyard. Tim is originally from Palo Alto, California, and Kathy is from Sacramento, California. Although their careers began far from the wine industry, both eventually found themselves building a life centered around farming, community, and wine.Kathy talks about attending Stanford, where she met her husband, Tim; switching to an engineering major from a math and science major; and spending years traveling internationally for consulting work. She reflects on reaching a point where constant travel no longer fit the life she wanted, leading her toward buying a farm, raising a family with Tim, and eventually helping build Long Walk Vineyard. She also discusses learning through trial and error, managing projects, and planting multiple grape varieties while balancing life remotely.Tim talks about his path from Stanford to law school, working in corporate law and tech-related fields, and his unexpected shift toward wine. He shares how experiences abroad and a growing appreciation for wine influences the decision to leave behind traditional career expectations.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library on April 2, 2026.

This interview is with Joe Ferris of Lingua Franca in Salem, Oregon. In this interview, Joe shares his background and how he found his way into the world of winemaking through travel, science, and hands-on experience. Joe grew up in Wisconsin and attended UW Madison, where he studied biomedical engineering. His interest in wine first started casually, but after traveling through South America with his wife and visiting wineries along the way, he became fascinated by the culture and science behind winemaking. After moving to Los Angeles and working in the biotech field, Joe realized he wanted to pursue wine more seriously. He later attended UC Davis for viticulture and enology, where he gained hands-on experience and learned more about the industry. During this time, he completed internships and harvest work in Oregon, Germany, and New Zealand, experiences that helped shape his understanding of winemaking and wine culture around the world. Joe especially valued the way wine brought people together and became integrated into everyday life in places like Europe. After hearing about an opening at Lingua Franca, Joe joined the team as a harvest intern and steadily worked his way up through the cellar. After several years as an assistant, he became the estate winemaker and continues to focus on producing thoughtful wines that reflect Oregon's Willamette Valley.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Lingua Franca in Salem, Oregon on April 1, 2026.

This interview is with Scott Kelley of Paul O'Brien Winery. In this interview, Scott talks about starting to work in the wine industry as a teenager, his experience with big, corporate wineries, and starting his own project in Oregon. Scott shares about beginning to work in the industry at 17 years old cleaning mobile grape presses. When his boss learned about his affinity for chemistry, he started taking grape samples in the vineyard to help determine pick dates. During this time, he met a winemaker who encouraged him to go to UC Davis. Scott talks about working at a brewery in Monterey, where he enjoyed the fermentation science but not the repetition and consistency of beer making. Without any cellar experience, he had to wait for someone in the wine industry to give him a chance, and that opportunity finally came through Golden State Vintners. Later in the interview, Scott discusses working for Robert Mondavi's La Famiglia label and learning to balance attention to detail with the large volume of wine he was producing there. While working for Estancia, he took their production up to 1.6 million cases yearly. In 2013, he started his own project with partner Dyson DeMara, which came to be known as Paul O'Brien Winery. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Paul O'Brien Winery in Roseburg on March 19, 2026. Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Charlie Becker of Becker Vineyard in Roseburg. In this interview, Charlie shares his background and how he got started in winemaking.Charlie grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and made his first wine at just 10 years old out of store bought grape juice and yeast. He later studied biology in college and eventually moved to Seattle, where he worked as a painter for many years. After some time, he move to southern Oregon and bought property in Drain, where he began pursuing winemaking more seriously.He started making wine around 2000 and produced his first batches in 2003. Over time, he planted about 13 acres of grapes and focused on growing a few different varietals. Much of what he learned about winemaking came from self-education, including researching in public libraries. In the early years, he and his wife, Peggy, did much of the work themselves, including bottling wine by hand.Charlie built most of his winery and tasting room on his own. His wines have gone on to win awards, and he takes pride in the quality of his work. He also values his lifestyle that comes with winemaking, having grown up around wine culture and enjoying the independence it brings. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Becker Vineyard in Roseburg, Oregon on March 20, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Rob Ikola of Whitetail Ridge. In this interview, Rob shares his background, career path, and how he became involved in the wine industry.Rob was born in Portland and grew up moving all around Oregon, including time in Bend and Roseburg. He attended Umpqua Community College, where he earned a business degree. Before entering the wine industry, he spent many years working in hands-on trades, including running a horse trailer company for about 20 years and operating a machine shop through a long-term business partnership. In 2012, Rob transitioned into the wine industry by starting a mobile bottling business. His company travels to different wineries to bottle wine efficiently, with the ability to process hundreds of cases per day. Around the same time, Rob planted his own vineyard in 2010, growing around 11 grape varietals. He developed a strong interest in winemaking and the vineyard lifestyle, combining his business experiences with agriculture. Rob emphasizes his love for farm life, including raising animals such as pigs, goats, and chickens. He values the independence and creativity that come with owning a vineyard and winery, as well as the ability to build something of his own. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Whitetail Ridge in Roseburg, Oregon on March 20, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Bryan and Pam Freed of Freed Estate. In this interview, Pam talks about growing up in Honolulu and working as a flight attendant. She talks about meeting her husband Mike and his desire to be a farmer.Later, she talks about finding land in Roseburg and starting Freed Estate. Bryan talks about growing up watching his father Mike farm, and eventually deciding he wanted to follow in his footsteps.They talk about Bryan's time at Oregon State learning enology and viticulture, and starting to take over more of the business. They talk about Mike passing away and the wines they made to honor him. And they talk about their favorite parts about being in the wine industry and being a space for their friends and neighbors.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Freed Estate in Roseburg on March 19, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Andrew Wenzl of Abacela Winery. In this interview, Andrew talks about his journey from biology and chemistry for veterinary school to applying those principles to winemaking.Andrew shares about his family's history in present-day Austria growing lesser known varietals, making wine, and running bed and breakfast-type inns. With that history of winemaking and hospitality, it made sense for Andrew to take his scientific education and start working at King Estate performing “bucket chemistry.”Andrew talks about enjoying cellar work first at King Estate and then at Silvan Ridge Hinman Vineyard before applying to work at Abacela Winery. He joined the team there in 2002, and he has been there ever since. When he first started working there, he acted as assistant winemaker, and in 2008 he was promoted to head winemaker. Though he grew up in the Willamette Valley and enjoyed the wines made there, he now loves working with varietals like Grenache and Tempranillo.Later in the interview, Andrew discusses the growth of Abacela during his time there, including a new and expanded tasting room, new programs like port and sparkling, and using 25 years' worth vineyard & cellar data to continue improving the wines. He also talks about how becoming a dad helped him to be more empathetic and supportive during the winemaking process.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Abacela Winery in Roseburg on March 19, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Denise and Bryan White of Troon Vineyards in Grants Pass. In this interview they share their journey into winemaking, their professional backgrounds, and how they built their vineyard and business together.Both Denise and Bryan originally came from medical backgrounds. Bryan worked in internal medicine and is board certified in hospice and palliative care, while Denise attended medical school and worked in a clinic, including time in neurology. Before entering the wine industry, they were involved in starting medical nonprofits in California and in Texas.In 2017, they purchased Troon Vineyards and began transitioning it to organic and biodynamic practices. Inspired by ecological approaches to farming, they focused less on industrial methods and more on soil health and microbiology. Over several years, they replanted much of the vineyard and expanded beyond just wine production to include apple cider, gardens, and livestock.They emphasize the importance of building a strong, knowledgable team to support all aspects of the vineyard, from soil science to vineyard management. They even conducted extensive soil testing, digging large soil pits and consulting experts to better understand the land. Overall, Denise and Bryan highlight intentionality in both their farming and business practices, aiming to create high-quality wine while improving the land and contributing positively to their community.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Troon Vineyards in Grants Pass on March 18, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Andy Myer of Goldback & Trivia Wine Room. In this interview, Andy talks about his path into winemaking, starting with studying philosophy in Pennsylvania before transferring to Willamette University to study environmental science. He shares how a summer job at Cristom sparked his interest, describing his first experience in a vineyard as a “lightning catalyst” that got him hooked.Andy discusses his hands-on learning journey, including harvests in New Zealand and Australia, working in Sonoma and Seattle, and spending time in Italy studying archaeology to understand early winemaking practices. He shares that these experiences shaped his perspective and led him to realize he didn't need a formal degree to succeed in the wine industry.Later in the interview, Andy talks about starting Goldback in 2016 after moving to Oregon, his work with Wine Collective, and balancing family with his career. He reflects on challenges he faced throughout his career while also emphasizing his passion for winemaking.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Goldback & Iruai Wine Room in Talent, Oregon on March 18, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Rachael Martin of Red Lily Vineyards. In this interview, Rachael talks about growing up in the Rogue Valley before leaving to pursue a career in law.After deciding that wasn't her path and returning to the Rogue Valley with a desire to own some land and grow something, her dad's suggestion to try wine grapes launched her into a new career. She talks about her time honing her craft at RoxyAnn Winery under the mentorship of Sarah Powell.Later, she discusses starting Red Lily, first getting vineyards planted and later starting to make her own wine. She talks about how the wines have evolved and how she values using the tasting room and surrounding space as a community hub. And she talks about the growth in the local wine industry and what comes next.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Red Lily Vineyards in Jacksonville on March 17, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Nichole Schulte of Quady North/Barrel 42. In this interview, Nichole talks about her background studying law and working in insurance, and her current journey working in wine.Nichole talks about growing up in Florida and starting to work in insurance. After managing a call center, she became an adjuster, following storms across the country to help those affected settle insurance claims in the aftermath. At the suggestion of a colleague, she went to law school and spent a semester studying wine law abroad in Lyon, France.Nichole discusses moving to Grants Pass with her husband and starting to visit local wineries to get to know the community. In 2012, she worked a harvest internship at Troon, where she met Herb Quady. Shortly after that first internship, she and Herb joined Brian Gruber to start Barrel 42 as a custom crush facility. Together, they took the business from an old pear packing plant to the onsite winery they have today.Later in the interview, Nichole talks about how she keeps Barrel 42 organized, depending on a capable crew and scheduling everything on a whiteboard in order to maximize resources. She also talks about the effects of climate change and immigration policy on the wine industry.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Quady North/Barrel 42 in Jacksonville on March 17, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Herb Quady of Quady North and Barrel 42. In this interview, Herb talks about his family starting a wine brand in California the same year he was born, and thus growing up in the industry. Despite initially not wanting to work in wine, he soon found himself working for Randall Grahm at Bonny Doon and launching his wine career.Later, Herb talks about coming to Southern Oregon and working at Troon, and the growth of the Rogue Valley wine industry while he was a part of it. He then talks about the decision to start Quady North with his parents, his wife, and her parents all playing a major role.He discusses the growth of Quady North, the custom crush operation Barrel 42, and his vineyard installation/management business as well. And he talks about the role he and his businesses have played in the growth of the local wine industry.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Quady North in Jacksonville on March 17, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Sara Garr of Circadian Cellars. In this interview, Sara talks about growing up as a creative individual and finally finding her preferred medium in wine.Sara talks about first entering the wine industry from a sales point of view, working at the Harry & David bottle shop in Medford. Though initially she didn't know much about fine wine, she worked with the wine buyer and her coworkers to learn more. Her career trajectory changed in 2015 when she started her first harvest with Quady North / Barrel 42.Sara discusses her “happy accident” barrel of Cabernet that would become her first wine under the Circadian Cellars label. While continuing to work at Barrel 42, she slowly started to expand her own label as well, including lesser known varietals as well as more standard Southern Oregon varietals but with less common winemaking processes. After she felt she had a handle on the wine itself, she also started creating her own labels.Later in the interview, Sara talks about the future of her own label and the wine industry at large. With an ever-changing industry and the people interested in drinking wine, she stresses the importance of being flexible and creating a product that customers really want. For her first wine club release, she will curate a collection “from the vault” for each member based on their individual taste.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Hummingbird Estate in Central Point on March 16, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Dustin Andries of Naumes Crush and Fermentation. In this interview, Dustin talks about growing up around the Rogue Valley wine industry with an interest in science, then attending Oregon State University with the desire of being a winemaker.Next, Dustin talks about a variety of internships he did, including being part of a team at Gallo that was crushing 350,000 tons of grapes in a single harvest. He then discusses coming to Naumes Crush and Fermentation as it was just getting started and the roles he has held while the business has grown. He also discusses a brief sojourn back to the Willamette Valley to work for Jackson Family Wines before returning to Naumes, as well as talking about his work as a custom crush winemaker for a large number of clients.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Naumes Crush and Fermentaion in Medford on March 16, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Doug & Dionne Irvine of Irvine & Roberts Vineyards. In this interview, Doug and Dionne talk about moving to Ashland to raise their family, discovering a love for wine in Europe, and beginning their brand.Dionne shares about growing up in Los Angeles county until high school, when her family moved to Brookings. Though she now realizes that she developed a fondness for Oregon at that time, she went back to California after graduation and started her real estate career. She met Doug when he came to her to purchase a house.Doug talks about growing up on a ranch near Jacksonville and moving to Huntington Beach for high school. He went to college at UC Irvine and stayed in the area after graduation. He also played baseball growing up, and for a short stint in Australia.Later in the interview, Doug and Dionne discuss moving back to Oregon to raise their daughters. Unbeknownst to them, they had purchased a site that was perfect for growing Burgundian varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. After falling in love with wine in Europe, they wanted to begin planting vines in Ashland in 2007.As they started to produce more wine, they moved winemaking operations to Quady North/Barrel 42, where Brian Gruber was part of the team. After the completion of the tasting room and winery building onsite, they hired Vince Vidrine to oversee winemaking. When he left to pursue wine elsewhere, Brian Gruber came on as their head winemaker once again, but this time in their own facility.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Irvine & Roberts Vineyards in Ashland on March 16, 2026.

This interview is with Brian Gruber of Irvine & Roberts Vineyards. In this interview, Brian talks about growing up in Minnesota and then attending the Air Force Academy. He talks about his career in the military, including some of the specific projects he worked on.He then talks about his growing interest in wine, first as a consumer and then his desire to grow his own grapes and make his own wine. He talks about the decision to move to Oregon and the various places he has worked in the industry, including helping to found Barrel 42 and now making wine at Irvine & Roberts. He speaks about the growth of the industry, his own vineyard in the Rogue Valley, and what comes next.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Irvine & Roberts Vineyards in Grants Pass on March 16, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Bryan Wilson of Cuckoo's Nest Cellars. In this interview, Bryan talks about his winding path in wine, culminating in starting his own brand in Southern Oregon.Bryan talks about growing up interested in wine, and finding his way into the industry after attending the University of Oregon. He later talks about his coming-of-age work at Benzinger Family Winery in Glen Ellen, Calif., getting to be part of every process as the Benzinger brand was growing and taking off.Later, he talks about coming to Oregon and various winemaking roles he held in the Rogue Valley before starting Cuckoo's Nest with his wife. He talks about learning how to make wine and the evolution he's seen in the industry.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Plaisance Ranch in Williams on March 15, 2026. Thank you to Joe and Suzi Ginet for hosting us and providing an audience for the interview!Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Cal and Judy Schmidt of Schmidt Family Vineyards. In this interview Cal and Judy talk about their journey into winemaking, their background, and how they built their vineyard and business together in Grants Pass.Cal describes his early life, including his time in the military and aerospace before earning a degree in business. He explains how his path eventually led him to working with land, building on property in Healdsburg with 35 acres, and later moving the business to Southern Oregon. Judy shares her background as well, explaining how she studied psychology and spent time in San Diego and Santa Rosa.Together, they talk about their move to Grants Pass and how they developed their vineyard over time. They planted their first acres of grapes in the early 2000s and produced their first vintage in 2004, followed by their first bottled wine in 2006. As a family—run operation, they emphasize the role their children and grandchildren played in helping build and maintain their vineyard.Later in the interview, Cal talks about starting new projects and his plans to grow the business through events and distribution. Judy reflects more on what the vineyard has brought to the community, emphasizing their goal of creating quality wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Schmidt Family Vineyards in Grants Pass on March 15, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Josh Kimball of Kimball's Artisan Wines. In this interview, Josh talks about growing up in Coos Bay and attending Southern Oregon University in Ashland, where he studied political science. He tells about his first real exposure to wine his senior year, which sparked his interest in the industry.Josh describes getting his start in wine at Weisinger Family Winery starting in the cellar, and later moving to King Estate where he took on responsibilities in the tasting room, wine club, and compliance. During this time, he also became interested in organic and biodynamic wines, which would later influence his business.He talks about transitioning into the sales side of the industry, helping with wholesale in Salem and eventually woking distribution, including time in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Later in the interview, Josh talks about the personal challenges he faced during this time, including family hardships that led him away from his dream job, taking a break and then eventually leading him back to Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden as a national sales manager prior to the winery being sold a few years later.Josh talks about founding Kimball's Artisan Wines in Jacksonville, opening in 2019, and focusing on sourcing organic and biodynamically farmed wines. He emphasizes creating access to unique wines and building a sense of community, while intentionally keeping the business small and personal rather than expanding or moving online.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Kimball's Artisan Wines in Jacksonville on March 15, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Rob Folin and Carole Stevens of Ryan Rose Wine. In this interview, Rob and Carole talk about their respective paths into wine and how that has culminated in their Ryan Rose brand.Carole talks about growing up in the Willamette Valley and finding a passion for working in value-added agriculture. She talks about her work at Willakenzie and Domaine Serene and traveling all over to sell Oregon wine.Rob talks about coming out of the military and being interested in working with his hands and creating something. He speaks about his time at Domaine Serene and asking all the questions in order to make himself a better winemaker.Later, the pair talk about their work with Folin Wines and now Ryan Rose, and about the types of wines they make as well as their work to sell those wines. They also talk about the Rogue Valley and how the wine industry has grown up.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Ryan Rose Wine tasting room in Central Point on March 14, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with John Pratt of Celestina Vineyard. In this interview, John talks about transitioning from working as a teacher in northern California to becoming a grape farmer in southern Oregon.John talks about beginning to enjoy wine in his 20s, noticing that wine could make an ordinary social situation into a more enjoyable and memorable one. Growing up on a farm between Stockton and Lodi, his neighbor grew his own grapes and made his own wine, which inspired John to think about the farming that goes into wine.John discusses working as a teacher for 40 years and beginning to look for a wine region to retire in. Both he and his wife Sherry had visited southern Oregon, and after viewing property there they purchased what is now known as Celestina Vineyard in 2004. They began building a home on the site in 2006, planted vines in 2007, and had their first harvest in 2009.Later in the interview, John talks about his short stint in winemaking before deciding that he preferred to just grow the grapes. He discusses what varietals they planted and why, and how they were affected by red blotch disease. He also talks about his work on the Rogue Valley Vintners Association and the Oregon Wine Board, spending time on both organizations' research committees.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Celestina Vineyard in Medford on March 14, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!

This interview is with Brian McCormick of Idiot's Grace Wines. In this interview, Brian talks about growing up in a family centered around food, with parents who owned a restaurant, and how that early exposure sparked his interest in cooking and flavor.Brian talks about attending Dartmouth College, where he studied religion, and how after graduating he had no clear idea what he wanted to do. He explains how his interest in food eventually led him to wine, as he became curious about what to pair with it, which used him to pursue wine more seriously.He also discussed his early experiences in the wine industry, including working in tasting rooms, doing wine auctions, and getting hands-on exposure that helped him better understand the culture and business of wine. Later in the interview, Brian reflects on building Idiot's Grace, his philosophy around farming and working with the land, and how he defines success in winemaking—not just through outcomes, but through the process and continual learning each vintage brings. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Idiot's Grace Wines in Mosier, Oregon on March 11, 2026.

This interview is with Steven Thompson and Kris Fade of Analemma Wines. In this interview, Steven and Kris talk about their unique paths into the wine industry, from Kris's background in the Pacific Northwest studying wildlife, geology, and GIS mapping, to Steven's experiences with international biking tours and harvest work in Italy that sparked his passion for wine.Kris talks about her early interest in environmental law, her work in GIS mapping and vineyard analysis, and how her understanding of climate and landscape shaped her approach to winemaking.Steven discusses his upbringing in North Carolina, studying cultural geography at Montana State, and hoe travel and hands-on harvest experiences led him to pursue starting a winery.Later in the interview, Kris talks about their move to New Zealand for harvest work, their eventual return to the U.S., and how they built Analemma from a small farm into a biodynamic vineyard with 13 grape varieties, focused on community, regenerative agriculture, and natural winemaking practices.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Analemma Wines on March 11, 2026.

This interview is with Dean Underwood of Barakel Vineyards. In this interview, Dean talks about spending his life as a farmer and his decision to grow wine grapes. He speaks about growing up in Albany and working on his family's farm, focusing on row crops at first.Later he discusses his burgeoning interest in wine and wine grapes, working with his neighbors at Olsen Family Vineyards and going through the wine program at Chemeketa Community College. He then talks about his own Barakel Vineyard, and about deciding what to plant, how to farm, and where to sell the grapes.He also discusses the growth he's seen in the Oregon wine industry and his plans for the future.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library on March 5, 2026.

This interview is with Jon Tomaselli of Torii Mor Winery. In this interview, Jon talks about his family's legacy of winemaking and how he has carried that on in the Willamette Valley.Jon talks about growing up in an Italian family with a long history of winemaking. Living in Ohio, his dad and grandpa would purchase grapes from California to make wine at home. Jon first carried on that tradition while living in Arizona.Jon discusses moving to Oregon in 2006 when a job opportunity came up for his wife. After visiting earlier that year to purchase a house and go wine tasting, Jon was once again enraptured by the idea of making wine. The second tasting that trip was at Torii Mor Winery, where Jon introduced himself and asked for a job.Later in the interview, Jon talks about learning commercial winemaking under Jacques Tardy, Torii Mor's head winemaker. After a very intense first harvest in 2007, Jon quickly made his way up to assistant winemaker. He is very proud of the cohort of people who began their journey at Torii Mor, trained under Jacques and himself, and later went on to become great winemakers elsewhere. He finishes the interview with observations about the state of the wine industry currently and hope for the future.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library on February 24, 2026.

This interview is with Thibaud Mandet of Clos Griotte. In this interview, Thibaud speaks about growing up in France and pursuing an interest in science, before discovering that putting his scientific knowledge toward wine was even more interesting.He then talks about his education and internships, followed by his arrival in the United States. He discusses meeting with the owners and team at WillaKenzie Estate in Yamhill for the first time, starting work there as an enologist, and eventually being the head winemaker. He then talks about leaving to start his own brand, Clos Griotte, and how that has gone so far.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Clos Griotte in Amity on March 4, 2026.

This interview is with Bruce Lundqist of Rack & Riddle. In this interview, Bruce speaks about his time at Linfield University, including his performance on the track team that led him into the school's sports Hall of Fame. He then talks about his work in the finance world in the dairy industry before starting his wine journey in California.Later, he talks about how Rack & Riddle came to be and its growth and accomplishments during his 20 years as co-leader. He speaks to the current state of the wine industry and what the years ahead might hold.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library in McMinnville on March 3, 2026.

This interview is with Tyler Bradley of Galaxy Wine Company. In this interview, Tyler talks about his time at Linfield University and how a part-time tasting room job turned into a full-fledged wine career. He discusses his first big wine job in Idaho, and taking on a role he wasn't ready for. As he was growing in the job, he also had to deal with the COVID pandemic and he talks about how that changed his work.After that, Tyler discusses coming back to Oregon and working at Les Caves and in distribution before landing his current job with Galaxy. He talks about all the lessons and skills he has learned, about the work he's currently doing, and about what comes next.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library in McMinnville on March 2, 2026.

This interview is with Olive Hamilton Russell. In this interview, Olive talks about growing up in South Africa and her family's background in farming. She discusses moving to London and become enamored with wine, which led to her working in the South African wine industry and selling wine in the United States.Her introduction to Oregon was at the International Pinot Noir Celebration in 2015, and from there she sought to make her own wine label in Oregon. She discussed the steps to making that happen, how she learned about winemaking, and what it has been like to have her own wines to sell.She also talks about the future for herself and for the Oregon wine industry.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library in McMinnville on February 24, 2026.

This interview is with Dallas Way. In this interview, Dallas speaks about his journey into the wine industry, explaining how he grew up in Tennessee, studied business, and initially traveled to South Korea to teach English before discovering an interest in wine.Next, he discusses how his path wasn't straightforward, describing how a road trip to California and a job at a tasting room introduced him more seriously to wine and led to opportunities like working harvest seasons. Dallas explains how his experiences traveling and working harvests in places like New Zealand and Australia helped him build skills and connections, eventually leading I'm to settle in Oregon and join the team at Abbey Road Farm.Finally, Dallas talks about his future goals, including becoming more inlaid with vineyard work and containing to grow in the industry, with the long-term aim of becoming a head winemaker.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Abbey Road Farm in Carlton, Oregon on February 23, 2026.

This interview is with Trevor Hertrich. In this interview, Trevor speaks about his path into the world of wine, explaining how he grew up in Chicago without much exposure to it and originally studied sociology at the University of Illinois before discovering wine while working in a restaurant. Next, he discusses how his curiosity led him deeper into wine, becoming known as the “wine guy” and containing his studies in Arizona, where his interest in wine began to feel more like a potential career than just a side interest.Trevor explains how his experiences in restaurants, retail, and distribution helped him build knowledge and connections, eventually leading him into wine education and involvement in the WSET program at Linfield University.Finally, Trevor talks about his passion for wine as something complex an ever-evolving, as well as his goal to continue advancing in the field and give back through education while pursuing higher certifications like the Master of Wine.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville on February 19, 2026.

This interview is with Darcy Pendergrass of Amity Vineyards. In this interview, Darcy talks about her journey from tasting room associate to winemaker at Amity, and what she has been up to since then.Darcy shares about growing up in Oregon and staying close by in Montana for college. After earning her degree in microbiology to work in healthcare, then later deciding that wasn't for her, she moved back home and started Chemeketa's new viticulture program.Darcy talks about meeting Patrick McElligott there, who hired her at the Amity Vineyards tasting room and thus changed the trajectory of her career. When she met Myron Redford, he realized her potential and encouraged her to start working in the cellar.Later in the interview, Darcy discusses her promotions from cellar master to assistant winemaker and eventually to winemaker, all at Amity Vineyards. She also started her own label, Tartan, and experimented with bigger bolder reds. Additionally, she spent 10 vintages overseas to continue her learning.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library in McMinnville on February 16, 2026.

This interview is with Brynn Bradley. In this interview, Brynn speaks about her journey into the wine industry and how her experiences shape her career path.Next, she discusses her early life, explaining that she was born in the Bay Area but did not know much about wine when she was younger. She became interested in wine and viticulture later and decided to study wine business at Cal Poly. During college, she worked her first harvest in 2014, which helped her realize she wanted to shift toward winemaking rather than just the business side.Brynn explains some of her early work experiences. Working part-time at August Ridge Cellar where she learned a lot about the industry, as well as completing an internship with Robert Craig, and after finishing school in 2017, traveling to New Zealand to work a harvest before moving to Oregon because of the nature of the state.Finally, Brynn speaks about being accepted into a masters program. She shares that she wants to learn how to conduct research and continue developing her knowledge as much as she possibly can.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville on February 17, 2026.

This interview is with Gabriel Jagle of Scenic Valley Farms. In this interview, Gabriel talks about learning about the world by tasting wine and making a wine that has soul and personality.Gabriel talks about learning to taste wine while working at Trader Joe's and a few wine shops in California. By tasting wines from around the world, he was able to learn about each place. He affirms that both drinking wine and learning about wine are social and communal.Gabriel discusses moving to Oregon to learn about winemaking after feeling burnt out on wine sales. Though he had a rough start in the industry, he finally felt things click working at Illahe Vineyards. During this time he also attended Chemeketa chemistry and winemaking courses.Later in the interview, Gabriel talks about beginning to make wine at Scenic Valley Farms, which had been a client at Illahe. At Scenic Valley he is granted both the freedom to experiment with the wines and the tools and resources of the farm at large. Since this newest venture he has also joined the board at AHIVOY, which supports vineyard stewards in Oregon.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library on February 9, 2026.

This interview is with Boone McCoy-Crisp of Lumos Wine. In this interview, Boone talks about growing up in the Oregon wine industry and the seeming inevitability that he would end up working in it. He talks about the early history of his family's vineyard and his father Dai Crisp's entry into the wine industry.Later, he talks about his childhood memories of being in vineyards, and how he slowly started to work with the family business. He speaks of his time at Middlebury College and of the way he slowly learned more and more about winemaking as he wrapped up his education.Boone also talks about the pride he feels being part of the industry and about how his role has evolved and progressed.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on February 12, 2026.