The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

Dan and Helen Dusschee are the owners and operators of Freedom Hill Vineyards in Dallas, Oregon. In this interview they talk about how they got into the business of growing grapes, the challenges they faced over the years, and the farming practices that they implement in their vineyard. They also discuss how Freedom Hill became a family business and how they hope to see it continue as such in the...

This interview is with Gary Fuqua, of Fuqua Vineyards. In this interview, Gary discusses how he got into wine grapes, his various roles in the wine industry, as well as how he managed his grapes. Gary also speaks about the education he received at UC Davis, as well as his grape growing philosophy as he was interested in the farming and economic aspects of the industry. Towards the end of the inter...

This interview is with Jay Somers, the owner/winemaker of J. Christophers. Jay starts the interview by talking about his interest of making alcohol by first starting in the beer industry with McMenamins. He goes on to talk about is growing interest in the wine industry and starting a winery. He also talks about his goals for the future and possible challanges the industry might face in the next de...

This interview is with Kelley Fox of Kelley Fox Wines. In this interview, Kelley talks about how she got into wine with her education in biochemistry and biophysics. She then discusses her journey to getting where she is now– the places she’s worked, the experiences she’s had, and the realities of working in the industry. Kelley then talks about how she started making her own wine, what she loves...

This interview is with Lowell Ford, the original owner of Illahe Vineyards. He talks about planting the estate vineyard and his son taking over the business as the winemaker. Lowell also discusses their unique way of making Pinot Noir and the future of the winery. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Illahe Vineyards on December 11, 2017.

This interview is with Pamela Frye and Richard Boyles of Iris Vineyards. In this interview, the couple discuss how they got into wine; Richard states it’s what “all good times are built around.” He then goes on to speak about why he decided to plant a vineyard due to his farming background, and his work history in international business. Pamela shares her history leading into wine as well. They th...

This interview is with Jim Prosser, the owner and winemaker of J.K. Carriere. Jim first talks about why he chose the land, the varietal Pinot Noir and the name for his winery. He then talks about the good and the bad of running a small, family winery. He then goes on to talk about the different organizations he is a part of and the future of the winery. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt...

This interview is with Matt Giraud. In this interview, Matt speaks about his time as a wine writer for Willamette Week and director of "Life In Vine," a documentary about a year in the life of a handful of vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Matt gives his perspectives on the growth of Oregon wine from the mid-1990s into the early 2000s, a time of major change and evolution in the industry. Additi...

This interview is with Michael Lichtenwalter of Lichtenwalter Vineyard. In this interview, Michael speaks about discovering a love of wine and following that to finding and purchasing a piece of property in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. He talks about all that went into transitioning the land to grapes, and learning how to farm.  Later, he talks about starting the Lichtenwalter brand, what kind of wine he...

This interview is with Chris Butler and Draga Zheleva of Liska Wine Company. In this interview, Chris and Draga speak about their separate paths before meeting at UC Davis and then heading into the wine world together. Harvests in Germany and Australia gave them a variety of experiences, but a desire for cool climate grapes and a welcoming wine industry brought them to Oregon. They take us through...

This interview is with Dr. Bob Gross of Cooper Mountain Vineyards. In this interview, Bob speaks about his path into medicine and stops along the way, and how he found his way to the west coast. An interest in wine coupled with a medical practice opportunity and desire to be in Portland eventually led to finding the land that would become Cooper Mountain and planting a vineyard. Bob also talks abo...

This interview is with Matt Perry of 00 Wines. In this interview, Matt speaks about an early interest in fermentation leading him to working in wine research and production in Minnesota, followed by a series of internships in Napa and abroad.  He talks about his first experience in Oregon wine as an intern at Antica Terra, and what about that experience made him want to stay in Oregon. He then tal...

This interview is with Gilles de Domingo of Cooper Mountain Vineyards. In this interview, Gilles speaks about growing up in Bordeaux and setting out into the wine world with the intent of going back to help run his family's estate. A chance encounter led him to Oregon to work at King Estate in the 1990s, and he has stayed in the Oregon wine industry since. Gilles talks about his role as the winema...

This interview is with Ryan Sharp of Enso Winery. In this interview, Ryan speaks about finding a passion for wine in the Sierra foothills, and planning to have a small vineyard as a retirement project. Upon moving to Portland, he saw the ability to start the project sooner and started Enso, an urban winery and wine bar. Ryan also speaks about his days as a touring musician, the ethos of Enso, and...

This interview is with Maddy Rausch of Bergström Wines. In this interview, Maddy speaks about a passion for food, drink, and nature leading her to follow the winemaking path. She talks about feeling at home at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and about her formal wine education, followed by her initial experiences in wineries in California and New Zealand. An appreciation for Bergström wine led her to pu...

This interview is with Pedro Parra of Rose & Arrow and Pedro Parra y Familia. In this interview, Pedro speaks about his roundabout way of discovering an interest in soil and terroir that led to his being one of the most in-demand terroir consultants in the world. He talks about his advanced education and discovering the need for his expertise, leading to him advising wine projects all over the...

This interview is with Joey Myers of A to Z Wineworks and Narrow Window Wines. In this interview, Joey speaks about growing up in the vineyard industry thanks to his father's nursery and vineyard business. Once Joey decided that he wanted to follow a similar path, he attended Southern Oregon University and worked in California and abroad before coming back to Oregon. Joey speaks about growing his...

This interview is with Amanda Wittstrom Higgins of Dream Big Darling and Full Cup Solutions. In this interview, Amanda speaks about getting into her family's wine business in Paso Robles after graduating from college, and seeing ways in which the industry needed to improve.  Dream Big Darling was created to help mentor women in the wine industry, and Full Cup Solutions was created to help small fa...

This interview is with Robert Henry of Pamplin Family Winery. In this interview, Robert speaks about getting his winery work started on the east coast before finding his way to California to continue his education and take his next steps in the industry. His formative time in California came at Pahlmeyer, where he helped produce wines he's still proud of today. Robert then talks about finding his...

This interview is with Tim Jones of The Four Graces Winery. In this interview, Tim speaks about discovering his interest in wine while in college in Oregon, and following his interest to working harvests in California. He then talks about furthering his education at UC Davis, and being hired by Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington. From there, Tim talks about developing his skills as a winemaker an...

This interview is with Jonathan Honefenger of Wild Child Wines. In this interview, Jonathan speaks about his enthusiasm for history and civilization, and how that led him to an exploration of wine. From there, he talks about getting started on the restaurant/sommelier side of the industry as a "curator" of wine in Texas fine dining establishments, and his excitement at being able to travel the wor...

This interview is with Mauricio Collada of Cubanisimo Vineyards. In this interview, Mauricio speaks about his early life in Cuba and his family fleeing the Castro regime to immigrate to Miami. He talks about an early encounter with a life-saving doctor that instilled in Mauricio the goal of becoming a doctor to help people, and of the path he took to become a neurosurgeon and find his way to Orego...

This interview with Harry and Wynne Peterson-Nedry, of Chehalem Winery.  In the interview, Harry and Wynne Peterson-Nedry focus on their involvement in the Oregon wine industry. The interview begins with Harry alone talking about his start in the industry and how Oregon has changed since he joined. About 40 minutes into the interview, Harry is joined by his daughter, Wynne, to discuss more general...

This interview is with Chris and Beth James of Chris James Cellars. In this interview, the couple talk about how they got into the wine industry, got their property, and ended up in Oregon. They also speak about some of the challenges they’ve experienced when priming the property, the varietals they’ve chosen to plant, and the reaction they received from consumers. Chris explains how he gained his...

This interview is with Fred and Mary Benoit, the founders of Chateau Benoit which is now Anne Amie Vineyards. They discuss the struggles of planting their first vineyard near Salem and the community of people in the industry at the time. Fred and Mary finish the interview talking about the growth of their winery and why they eventually decided to sell. This interview was conducted by Stephanie Hof...