The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Isabelle Meunier of Lavinea Wines. In this interview, Isabelle speaks about her time traveling the world and learning about wine. She talks about her experiences in Burgundy, New Zealand, Vancouver Island, Niagara, Oregon, and more. She describes her wine education in France, where she discovered she was interested in wine production more than marketing. Isabelle also goes o...

This interview is with Isabel Newlin of Dacha Wines. In this interview, Isabel speaks about her enthusiasm for viticulture and holistic farming, and what drew her into growing grapes and making wine. She talks about how she came to Oregon and what her work here has consisted of so far. And she talks about her Dacha Wines project and where it might be headed. Finally, she takes us on a quick vineya...

This interview is with Hans Van Dale of Dusky Goose Winery. Hans talks about how he discovered wine, and the process of deciding on it as a career path. He discusses the places he worked in California and how he ended up in Oregon, and eventually at Dusky Goose. In addition, Hans talks about the challenges (and blessings!) of the past couple years and looks ahead at the future for the Oregon wine...

This interview is with Hallie Whyte of Soter Vineyards. She began the interview with discussing her time studying math and Spanish at Linfield College. Hallie grew up in McMinnville working in and around the wine industry at restaurants and tasting rooms. After college she went to Mexico City to teach and upon returning to Oregon she ended up at Soter. Hallie began in DTC sales and eventually took...

This interview is with Gretchen Boock of Benton-Lane Winery. In this interview, Gretchen speaks about her unique introduction to the wine industry, and the leadership philosophy that has shaped her career. Despite difficult times, Gretchen is ready for whatever the future has in store for Benton Lane. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Benton-Lane Winery on August 19, 2021.

This interview is with Greg Van Dyke of Bud’s Bloom Wines. In this interview, Greg speaks about his journey in the Oregon Wine Industry, his initial interest in wine, and how he began making wine. He describes his jobs in the industry, including his work at Ken Wright Cellars and his time spent working harvest in New Zealand. Later, he talks about where the idea for Bud’s Bloom Wines came from and...

This interview is with Gary Mortensen of Stoller Wines. In this interview, Gary speaks about his wine journey, which started over thirty years ago when he began working at Sokol Blosser. However, Gary has worked in plenty of other industries since. He talks about his experience doing consulting, his involvement in tech start-ups, and his time working on screenplays and documentaries. He also discu...

This interview is with Garett Long of Troon Vineyard. In this interview, Garett speaks about his interest in biogeochemistry, also known as soil science. He also touches on what spirituality and therapeutic practices bring to the winemaking process. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Troon Vineyards tasting room in McMinnville on January 20, 2022.

This interview is with Forrest Schaad of Schaad Cellars. In this interview he begins with describing what It was like growing up visiting and working on his families vineyard, and while he was not taken with farming at first, his thirst for knowledge and love for harvest eventually drew him in. He described working several harvests for different wineries, until deciding to start his own label. For...

This interview is with Erin Upton, a Social Science Researcher and Writer. In this interview, Erin speaks about her time spent researching wine. She goes over her initial interests in wine, her research at Portland State University for her Ph. D program, and what she decided to focus her research on. She also describes the places she visited during her research, including Napa Valley, South Africa...

This interview is with Erin Palmer of Portland Wine Cellar. Erin talks about her path into wine and finding both her passion for wine and her passion for sharing it with others. She talks about finding meaningful connections through wine, and using her shop as a place to highlight wines and brands that align with her values. She also talks about the effects of 2020 on her life and work, and some o...

This interview is with Eric Misiewicz of Van Duzer Vineyards. In this interview, Eric speaks about becoming interested in wine and farming and following a path to California, Australia and back to California before finding his way to Oregon. He talks about developing a winemaking style and how that led him to Oregon, and what he's discovered about the region so far. He also talks about what comes...

This interview is with Emily Terrell of Brittan Vineyards. In this interview, Emily speaks about her path into the Wine Industry. She talks about several of the places she’s worked, such as New Zealand and France as well as what it was like working in the lab, in harvest, and eventually in the cellar. She goes over why she wanted to be a winemaker and why she chose to work in Oregon. She describes...

This interview is with Emily Bachand of Résonance. Emily talks about finding her way from the restaurant industry in California to the Oregon wine industry, and her progression through. Her dedication to service - "if we can, we should" being her guiding customer service principle - found her at Stoller Estate during a huge growth period. She talks about the lessons learned there, and what drew he...

This interview is with Edwin Martinis of Mitchell Wine Group and Threemile Vineyard. In this interview, Edwin speaks about finding the wine industry by accident while he was teaching and coaching football, and about being immediately intrigued by wine and the wine industry. He talks about his work selling wine and managing at a variety of places, and what brought him to Mitchell Wine Group. He als...

This interview is with Jacob Sembler of Fayetta Vineyard. In this interview, Jacob speaks about his interest in wine and biodynamics, and how he found himself in Oregon and getting into the wine industry. He also talks about places like Brooks and Brick House where he has worked, and about starting his own vineyard project. He also talks about the future for his work and what he hopes to accomplis...

This interview is with Jake Pippin of Multnomah Wine Studio. In this interview, Jake speaks about his journey through the world of wine. He goes over his work at Wines of Chile and discusses how the Chilean wine industry has grown. He also considers how Chile may change as its wine culture develops. Jake takes us through his wine education, both formal and informal, and also describes his other jo...

This interview is with Janis Pate with Arlyn Vineyard. She spoke about her time working in risk management at Disney, and what led her to join the wine industry. Janis described why she ended up in Oregon, and how she chose the land and varieties. She spoke of her initial goals for Arlyn Vineyard, and about her decision to farm biodynamicaly. Later, Janis spoke about the affects of the Pandemic an...

This interview is with Jarad Hadi of Grape Ink Wines. In this interview, Jarad begins speaking about his interests before wine, including poetry, snowboarding, and traveling. He then talks about his initial interest in the wine industry and describes how he made his first wine. He goes on to discuss his wine and viticulture education in Bordeaux and what it was like getting his first jobs in the i...

This interview is with Jason Brumley of Cana’s Feast and formerly of Xylem Wines. In this interview, Jason speaks about his upbringing, and why he ended up in Oregon. He explains his philosophy of winemaking, and how it has developed and changed throughout the years. In the second part of the interview, Jason demonstrates the weather and climate conditions that affect the wine industry in Oregon....

This interview is with Jeff Meader of Eminent Domaine. In this interview, Jeff talks about growing up near Ribbon Ridge on a farm and falling in love with that lifestyle. He speaks about attending college for business, yet taking agricultural courses and goes on to describe his time working in commercial real estate. Later, Jeff discusses his discovery of the Oregon wine world and the formation of...

This interview is with Jerry Gilmer of Abbey Wine Warehouse. In this interview, Jerry speaks about his life before wine, growing up in Oregon on a farm in Canby and later joining the National Guard. He goes on to describe how he got swept away by the wine world and began his work in the industry by storing wine. He talks about problem-solving, growing the business at Abbey Wine Warehouse, and lear...

This interview is with Jess and Paden West of Approachment Wine Co. In this interview, the couple speak about their various experiences in the wine industry and their current projects. The couple met when they were lab partners in a chemistry course while studying wine in the NW Wine Studies program, from there they both have had successful careers. Jess talks about her time learning sales and wor...

This interview is with Jess Pierce. In this interview, Jess speaks about her experience traveling Italy and Germany, and the people that inspired her to enter the wine industry. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her moving to Portland began her love for wine in the Oregon community. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Road's End State Park in Lincoln City on August 12, 2021.

This oral history interview is with Jess Sandrock. Jess talks about her accidental introduction to wine through a love of horticulture and her discovery of a love of teaching. Her work as an instructor at Chemeketa Community College and with the nonprofit AHIVOY are discussed, as are the changes in the Oregon wine industry and some possibilities for the future. This interview was conducted by Rich...