The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

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...

This interview is with Jenny Burger of Yamhill Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Jenny discusses her journey of taking over as a second generation for the company.   Jenny talks about how Yamhill Valley Vineyards has always been at least a little part of her life. Her parents started the company before she was born, and she recalls spending weekends and summers on the vineyard without any real...

This interview is with Ariel Eberle of Yamhill Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Ariel is interviewed for the second time after 8 years and reflects on what has changed and what the future may hold.   Ariel talks about her initial interest in wine being related to science. She started with an interest in biology that transitioned into botany and wine. Studying biology and minoring in chemistry...

This interview is with Levi Danielson of RAW Cider Company. In this interview, Levi explains his motivation for bringing “fine-dining” cider to the Oregon wine/cider industry.   Levi talks about how his background in microbiology and health. Attending the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Levi was interested in the healthcare industry, especially nutrition. After working many hours in the healt...

This interview is with Teddi Fuller of Lushington Wines. In this interview, Teddi discusses the lifestyle she has built through wine and art.   Teddi talks about how she ended up in Lyle, Washington. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in fine arts without a defined career path. After she moved to California to ski, she worked in restaurants and a wine bar where she learned a lot about...

This interview is with Brandon Hasart of Lingua Franca. In this interview, Brandon talks about his wine journey and how he came to be the vineyard manager at Lingua Franca. Brandon speaks about his original intention to work in veterinary medicine, but becoming interested in wine while attending Washington State University. He charts his path from the initial interest to a variety of internships i...

This interview is with Carrie Alexander of Holocene Wines. In this interview, Carrie discusses the many different roads she has taken that eventually led her to wine.   Carrie talks about the various career paths she has taken. She started pursuing a degree in teaching which she later changed and graduated with a fine arts degree. While she played with owning coffee shops, skate shops, and being a...

This interview is with Eric Weisinger of Weisinger Family Winery. In this interview, Eric discusses his 30 years in the industry and how he came right back to where he started.   Eric talks about how his father always had a dream of owning a winery. Eric was roped into this dream when his father suffered an injury and he had to take over. From there, he realized he was drawn to wine and could make...

This interview is with Mike Brunson of Valley View Winery. In this interview, Mike discusses what it is like to be a winemaker and how that passion brought him to Oregon.   Mike talks about his journey into the wine industry and how he had a natural gift for it. Mike has a good sense of smell and strong palate. This paired well with his former boss, Fred Payne, who passed the job down to Mike. Fre...

This interview is with Mike and Mark Wisnovsky of Valley View Winery. In this interview, the brothers discuss the responsibility of continuing the legacy their parents passed onto them.   The brothers talk about how they were almost born into the industry. They started planting at four and eight years old, learning the ins and outs of harvest. When they were made partners after their father passed...

This interview is with Soléna Andrus Montalieu of Soléna Estate and her mother Danielle Andrus. In this interview, the duo discusses being raised in the industry and the memories that come with it.    Danielle talks about growing up in Napa Valley with her father Gary Andrus of Pine Ridge Vineyards and eventually moving with him to Oregon to start Archery Summit in 1995. After doing a lot of the g...

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 tr...

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 inter...

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...

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 th...