The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Joe Padulo of Portland Wine Storage. In this interview, Joe speaks about his journey to finding wine and where the industry has led him. Joe talks about what first drew him to wine and how he made a business of creating cool spaces to store and enjoy wine.  Joe dives into growing up on the east coast and how he eventually found himself across the country at a culinary school...

This interview is with Justin Litwin of Oregon State's Woodhall III Vineyard. In this interview, Justin speaks about how he found his way to being the vineyard manager for Oregon State University's vineyard. He talks about joining the Navy after high school and some of his experiences working on a submarine, then coming to Oregon State and learning more about wine and vineyards. Later, he speaks a...

This interview is with David Hunter of Cru and Domaine. In this interview, David speaks about discovering a passion for wine, service, and wine education while working in the Bay Area. He talks about starting to learn about wine and feeling the need to pursue his education by studying in the Court of Master Sommeliers. Later, he talks about coming to Oregon and finding his people here, and how tha...

This interview is with Tom Danowski of the Oregon Wine Board. In this interview, Tom speaks about his work before wine with brands like Coca-Cola, Starbucks and Kraft Foods, and his introduction to wine when he took a position with Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington. He discusses his excitement at returning to the Northwest after growing up in Oregon, and his growing enthusiasm for learning about...

This interview is with James Osborne of Oregon State University (OSU). In this interview, James speaks about his time studying wine in his native New Zealand and his path to becoming a professor of Wine Microbiology at OSU and director of the Oregon Wine Research Institute (OWRI).  With his interest in wine stemming from his passion for microbiology James discusses his experience in the industry f...

This interview is with Rob Clarke of Terrapin Cellars. In this interview, Rob speaks about finding wine as a career change, and the many opportunities afforded to him by pursuing wine education through Chemeketa Community College. Rob then talks about starting and growing a vineyard management company, and the circumstances that led to him beginning to make his own wine as well. He speaks of the g...

This interview is with Tom Mortimer of Le Cadeau Wines. In this interview, Tom speaks about learning about wine as a consumer and collector before being taken in by the Willamette Valley and deciding to purchase property here. Once the property spoke to him, he knew he had to plant grapes and, later, produce wine. Tom talks about all the learning moments along the way, including the process of cle...

This interview is with Katy Armes of Scissortail Wine Tours. In this interview, Katy speaks about growing up in Oklahoma and attending Oklahoma State University, where a couple of life-changing conversations led her into wine and hospitality. From there, she talks about her impulsive move to the Willamette Valley and the number of roles she's had in the industry since arriving. She also talks abou...

This interview is with Joe Chepolis & Carmen Nydegger of Sound and Vision Wines. In this interview, Joe and Carmen speak about their lives before wine, meeting each other, and starting down the path of creating their own wine brand. They discuss how they found themselves in the Rogue Valley and how they got their first grapes to work with, as well as their role in creating the collaborative Ca...

This interview is with Alex Fortson of Twill Cellars. In this interview, Alex speaks about his early work in photojournalism and his growing interest in wine. A chance meeting with Chris Dickson of Twill Cellars led him down the path toward working in wine production, and he dove deeper into wine from there. Alex talks about working in wine retail, photography and web design, and about finding the...

This interview is with John Wrigley of J. Wrigley Vineyards. In this interview, John speaks about finding wine and his path in creating J. Wrigley Vineyards.  John shares how he got into wine through beer, even buying a winemaking book from a beer shop. He then dives into how the mysteries and challenges of wine hooked him. John talks about his time spent selling insurance during the day and teach...

Tune in for the fourth episode of the Oregon Wine History Archive’s bonus podcast Vocal Vines. I interviewed Andrew Riechers, of Audeant Wines, and talked about everything from embodying Champagne to harvest bonding abroad. So grab a glass, sit back, and get ready to sip on the juice of the vocal vine Andrew Riechers.

Tune in for the third episode of the Oregon Wine History Archive’s bonus podcast, Vocal Vines. I interviewed Travis Todd, of de la boue wines, and talked about everything from practical jokes to the true escapades of pinot camp! Travis also talked about de la boue wines’ growth and all that has transpired since we last talked to him in 2021. So grab a glass, sit back, and get ready to sip on the j...

This interview is with Jessica Miller of Little Crow Vineyards. In this interview, Jessica speaks about her journey to finding wine and viticulture.  Early in the interview, Jessica shares how wine did not enter her life until college. She dives into her discovery of wine, which happened while she attended Boston University. Jesscia then talks about finding her niche in viticulture.  Later in the...

Tune in for the second episode of the Oregon Wine History Archive’s bonus podcast Vocal Vines. I interviewed Grant Coulter, of Hundred Suns Wine, and talked about everything under the sun. From stories being traded like baseball cards to crashing into a canopy, Grant shares it all! So, grab a glass, sit back, and get ready to sip on the juice of this vocal vine. 

This interview is with Madeleine Rowan-Davis of Atlas Vineyard Management. In this interview, Madeleine speaks about her background in science and starting to work in wine almost on a whim. Her work in hospitality and sales at Bonny Doon Vineyard allowed her to develop a passion and curiosity and led her to study at UC Davis. After getting into vineyard management and viticulture, Madeleine talks...

This interview is with Sam Stetser of Atlas Vineyard Management. In this interview, Sam speaks about his winding path to wine and to Oregon, starting with a childhood interest in agriculture. He describes working in fine dining and doing agriculture and viticulture in Colorado before finding his way to Oregon vineyard management. He also talks about the work he does at Atlas, and how the growth of...

This interview is with Chris Thomas of Celestial Hill Vineyard. In this interview, Chris speaks about discovering wine and eventually entering the industry. Chris talks about growing up in up-state New York and meeting his wife. He dives into being a CPA by trade, but shares how that career did not stick. Chris then talks about living in Europe and falling in love with all things Burgundy, Fance. ...

This interview is with Jim Bernau of Willamette Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Jim speaks about his introduction to wine and his journey through the industry.  Jim starts the interview by diving into his childhood introduction to wine, which spurred him and his brother to steal and experiment with their mother’s frozen grape concord concentrate.  Jim also talks about his educational journey,...

This interview is with Alisa Jacobsen of Rare North and Turning Tide. In this interview, Alisa speaks about her wine journey and love for all things agriculture.  During this interview, Alisa dives into growing up surrounded by agriculture in California. Born and raised around all things crops and animals, Alisa talks about her original interests when attending UC Davis, before she found wine. She...

This interview is with Dave Rice of Chehalem Winery. In this interview, Dave speaks about his lifelong interest in wine and how it brought him to his current role.  Dave talks about his career in sales and how it prepared him to work in wine sales and hospitality. He speaks on his initial impressions of the Oregon wine industry and how he's seen it grow and change. And he talks about how his role...

This interview is with Carmine Campione of Possessed Wines. In this interview, Carmine speaks about his wine journey and love for clean enjoyable wine.  Carmine dives into his life before wine, sharing about his childhood in Kentucky and his time spent serving our country. He then speaks about his educational journey where he sought to learn anything and everything about wine. Carmine shares how h...

This interview is with Karl Mecklem of Eagles Nest Reserve. In this interview, Karl speaks about his journey to finding wine and creating his label, Eagles Nest Reserve. Karl talks about his childhood in Oregon and how this influenced his path to wine. He then dives into planting his own vineyard and creating his label. From water challenges to currently only having Pinot Noir to work with, Karl t...

This interview is with John Soares of Lone Wolf. In this interview, John speaks about his introduction to wine and all the steps along the way of his wine journey so far. This includes working in production and vineyards, selling wine, distribution and helping a number of friends in the industry with their projects. John also talks about important travels to Greece, Hungary, France and elsewhere,...

This interview is with Jana McKamey of the Oregon Winegrowers Association. In this interview, Jana speaks about her wine journey and path to finding a career associated with wine. Jana talks about growing up in Wyoming as a Finnish dual citizen, and how she eventually found herself working in international relations and diplomacy. She then dives into her careers, which ranged from being part of th...