The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Shaun Vrooman of Adelsheim Vineyard. In this interview, Shaun discusses his journey to wine and time spent at Adelsheim. Shaun talks about starting in hospitality through restaurants, bars, and eventually fine dining. While working in fine dining, Shaun got to experience wine. Shaun learned about wine through tasting and went through the beginnings of becoming a sommelier be...

This interview is with Rich Cushman of Viento Wines. In this interview, Rich revisits his Oregon wine story and shares updates on his journey since his previous interview in 2014. Rich talks about the spark that set him on the winemaking path. Rich took a tasting class at Oregon State University in 1977 and fell in love with wine. With a passion for science and art, Rich decided to get his masters...

This interview is with Maxine Braune-Williams & Joe Williams of DAnu Wines. In this interview, the couple discusses how hospitality got them in the wine industry. Joe talks about starting in restaurants at 14 years old. He has work every job imaginable within a restaurant, even owning his own at one point. After 30 years in the restaurant business, Joe decided to dip his toe into wine with the...

This interview is with Jo Spencer of Roth’s Fresh Markets. In this interview, Jo discusses how she views the relationships between wine and retail consumers. Jo talks about how she started drinking wine and created a brand. When Jo and her husband first met, they would drive around Oregon tasting different wines. Her husband’s mother had made fruit wines growing up, and he wanted to make some hims...

This interview is with David, Briana, John (Soren), and Lauren Rasmussen of Kristin Hill Winery. In this interview, the family talks about the history of Kristin Hill and how they joined three brands under the same roof. David and Briana talk about their introductions to wine. David built pubs in the 80s and started drinking wine. His friend’s dad started making wine so he worked as an intern for...

This interview is with Colin Eddy of NW Wine Company. In this interview, Colin talks about his growth within the industry and the growth of NW Wine Company. Colin talks about growing up in Texas and working in restaurants at an early age. When he transitioned to a big steak house, his wine journey began. This restaurant offered over 100 wines by the glass and were looking for someone to manage the...

This interview is with James Buzo Tipton of Fullerton Wines. In this interview, James discusses joining the wine industry in California and transitioning into the Oregon wine industry. James talks about growing up in Portland with a family that was interested in craft beer and brewing. After moving to California, James started working for his friend’s family’s wine distribution company. Eventually...

This interview is with Jacob Brink of Arbitrary Cellars & RAW Cider Co. In this interview, Jacob discusses how he found that wine was something he could never get bored of. Jacob talks about starting his career in the Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic and painter. After being honorably discharged, Jacob had to decide where he wanted to live. Previously, Jacob had taken a trip to Oregon and...

This interview is with Deron & Hannah Davenport of Stray Cider. In this interview, the newlyweds explain how they found their way to cider and each other. Deron talks about starting out as a baker. He loved the idea of creating art through science and found that fermentation fascinated him. From there, he started brewing beer and fermenting cider at home. As Portland Cider Co. was starting to...

This interview is with Tim Kinkade of Cynthian Vineyards. In this interview, Tim discusses how he accomplished his vineyard dreams. Tim talks about his many years as a contractor. He started in construction at 18 and stuck with it until he retired. He found work in places like Alaska and Hawaii until he got married and had children and settled in Corvallis, Oregon. Towards the end of his career, T...

This interview is with Lane Kinkade of Cynthian Vineyards. In this interview, Lane  discusses getting wrapped into his dad’s dream of building his own vineyard. Lane talks about his life before joining the wine industry with different career paths. Lane got his degree is graphic design which led him to different jobs in design, user experience design, and product design. Eventually, he was offered...

This interview is with Laurent Montalieu of Soléna Estate. In this interview, Laurent discusses his journey in creating a multi-generational legacy within the Oregon wine industry. Laurent talks about his beginnings in wine. He started out studying engineering in France until he switched to the neighboring Bourdeaux's Institute of Oenology  because it looked like they were having more fun over the...

This interview is with Bryan Lewis of Björnson Vineyard. In this interview, Bryan discusses how he has obtained his dream job. Bryan talks about the how he started out as a pastor, went into video production, sales management for 14 years, and eventually wine retail while making his own beverages from wine kits on the side. After being in retail for so long, Bryan started working as a steward for...

This interview is with Kelley, Brad, and Kerry Brainard of Native Son Cellars. In this interview, the group discusses their family’s heritage and transition into wine after retirement. The trio talks about the history of their family as Oregon natives. Their father was the chief of the Miluk Coos of the Confederated Tribes of Coos and his sons take great honor in their heritage. After deciding to...

This interview is with John Peacock of Ocelli Cellars. In this interview, John discusses his beginnings in analytics and unique transition into wine full-time. John talks about his job experience and introduction to wine. Majoring in real estate finance at Portland State University, John had a lot of jobs in analytics. John was introduced to wine by his wife, Sirpa, and was not a fan of the bevera...

This interview is with Sirpa Peacock of Ocelli Cellars. In this interview, Sirpa discusses her work in the Oregon wine industry and her path to starting her own brand. Sirpa talks about how she began in the industry. A Linfield University graduate in sociology, Sirpa was not looking forward to more schooling, so she decided to get into an industry she enjoyed. She started working part-time at a wi...

This interview is with Anne Root and Ashley Campanella of Edenvale Winery. In this interview, the duo discusses their introductions to the wine industry and everything that came after.   Anne talks about how her husband’s family was in the pear business and she was given the responsibility to do something with an empty orchard. This orchard soon became a vineyard and the rest is history. The winer...

This interview is with Javier & Erik Marin of Marin Estate Wines. In this interview, the father-son duo discuss their history in the wine industry and what they hope to accomplish with their own brand. The two talk about their individual introductions to the wine industry. Javier joined the industry in 1990 as a crew member and vineyard manager. Once he got his contracting license, he purchase...

This interview is with Shannon Mayhew of Brooks Wine. In this interview, Shannon explains her farming philosophies and how she applies them to Brooks’ garden and vineyard. Shannon talks about growing up in Napa Valley, but never having an interest in wine. She dipped her toe into the wine industry when she saw the lack of habitats for bees and cold called vineyards to ask if they wanted hedgerows...

This interview is with Chris & Candice Plewik of 3 Goats Vineyard. In this interview, the couple discusses their original plan for their vineyard and what it has turned into.   Chris and Candice talk about the idea that started it all. Chris’ mother was moving onto their property after retiring, and Chris thought it would be nice for her to look at a vineyard all day. Initially involved in pub...

This interview is with Anna Welch & Olivier Prost of A to Z/Rex Hill. In this interview, the couple discusses how wine brought them romance and livelihood   Olivier and Anna talk about their separate educations in viticulture. Anna went to CalPoly where she had the opportunity to study vines, wine chemistry, and technical wine tasting in New Zealand. Olivier, originally from France, studied vi...

This interview is with Ben Denton of HiFi Wine Bar. In this interview, Ben explains what it is like to make your way through the wine industry.   Ben talks about his “magical moment” with wine. After majoring in history and philosophy, Ben didn’t know what he wanted to do as a career. While working at a restaurant with his roommate, Ben tasted and nice bottle of wine. That was the moment he realiz...

This interview is with Pat & Jackie Dukes of Dukes Family Vineyards. In this interview, the couple explores their journey in fulfilling their vineyard dreams.   Pat & Jackie talk about their lives before joining the industry. The two went to high school together but didn’t start dating until college until eventually getting hitched. From there, Jackie worked in real estate and Pat worked i...

This interview is with Peter Rosback of Sineann Winery. In this interview, Peter discusses his long history within the Oregon wine industry.   Peter talks about living in Europe as a teenager which set him on the winemaking path. With a lot of wine experience in Oregon, he has collected many stories over the years. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the 2010s, Peter preferred to have the interv...

This interview is with David Adelsheim. In this interview, David talks about his unique role in the history of the Oregon wine industry, from starting his brand in 1971 to being part of committees, planning commissions, event creations, and lobbying efforts on Oregon wine's behalf throughout his career. David talks about his initial interest in wine, and how he came to Oregon. He describes meeting...