The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Tim and Denise Wilson, owners and winemaker of Denison Cellars in McMinnville, Oregon. They discuss the start of their label, Tim’s winemaker philosophy and Denise’s favorite part of the industry. They also talk about the future of the winery and their hopes for the Oregon wine industry. This interview is conducted by Stephanie Hofmann at the Austin Reading Room at Linfield...

This interview is with Chad Stock of Craft Wine Cellars in Carlton, OR. In this interview, Chad discusses how he naturally gravitated toward wine and always enjoyed the science part of the industry. He discusses his upfront approach with his ingredients, and states that “wine is not an alcoholic beverage it’s an agricultural product.” Chad then goes on to talk about the future for the Oregon Wine...

This interview is with Steve Doerner, the lead winemaker for Cristom Vineyards, located in Salem, Oregon. Doerner recounts his journey to Oregon and what initially got him fascinated with growing grapes and making wine. Doerner also celebrates the Oregon wine industry’s overall sense of community as he credits the early success of the industry to the pioneers of Oregon wine. He cites the pioneers’...

This interview is with Dick and Betty O’Brien, the owners of Elton Vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Dick and Betty’s interest in wine began on a 1980 trip to Germany where they stayed with a German family who had a small vineyard of white varietals and made their own wine. The O’Briens were so impressed with the small operation they had witnessed, they approached Betty’s father about putti...

This interview is with David Fish of Fox Farm Vineyards. In this interview, David discusses how he got into wine along with the many jobs he worked, his time being a sommelier, and how that has informed his career. He then goes on to speak about how he ended up in Oregon after he found a love for the land, and the sense of place that Oregon wines produce. David then talks about the generous help h...

This interview is with Dieter Boehm, the owner and winemaker of High Pass Winery. In the interview, Dieter talks about growing grapes in Oregon, the collaborative nature of the industry, problems facing vineyards in the future, as well as the future for the industry as a whole. This interview took place July 13th, 2016 by Rich Schmidt at High Pass Winery.

This interview is with Don Byard, a wine grower right when the Oregon wine industry was taking off in the Willamette Valley. In this interview, Byard talks about his involvement in the industry, his opinions on the best wine, and where he believes the industry is going. This interview was conducted by Camille Weber at Brooks Winery on December 11, 2015.

This interview is with Marcus Goodfellow of Goodfellow Family Cellars. In this interview, Marcus discusses how how he got into the wine industry, specifically Oregon wine. He then goes on to speak about his winemaking philosophy, the process of learning winemaking, how he got where he is today, how he manages his winemaking style with the people he works for, the changes he’s seen in the vineyard...

This interview is with Eugenia Keegan, the General Manager of Oregon for Jackson Family Wines and the winemaker at Gran Moraine Winery. In the interview, Eugenia discusses her start in the industry, working for Jackson Family Wines, being involved in multiple organizations and her main passion, the vineyard. This interview took place on July 26, 2016 by Rachael Woody at Gran Moraine Winery.

This interview is with Allen Holstein, the original owner of Holstein Vineyards and Vineyard Manager of many acclaimed vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Allen talks about the early years in the wine industry and working with some of the most prominent characters at the time. He also speaks about the challenges that the industry will have to face in the future. This interview was conducted by Ric...

This interview is with Carl Dauenhauer who is the owner of a vineyard that changed over to grapes in the early years of the wine industry and the winery, Hauer of the Dauen. In this interview Carl talks about his start in the wine business, challenges of growing grapes in Oregon and the future of the Oregon wine industry. This interview was conducted at the Hauer of the Dauen Winery on February 4t...

This interview is with Tom Huggins (Founder/GM) and Steve Anderson (Winemaker) of Eola Hills Winery. They first talk about how they got into the industry and their philosophy of making wine that people can drink every day. They then talk about the struggles of selling wine and what’s in the future from the winery. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 1, 2017 at the Legacy Estate...

This interview is with Mike and Drenda Bayliss, who are the owners of Ghost Hill Cellars. They discuss their start in the industry, making wine for the first time, how their winery got it’s name and much more. This interview was on May 5th, 2016 at Ghost Hill Cellars by Rachael Woody.

This interview is with Russ and Keely Hayworth of Hayworth Estate Wines. In this interview the couple describe how they found their passion for wine, met each other, and how they decided what to plant. They go on to speak about their initial experiences with the vintage and with their expansion in ’15, their newfound roles at Hayworth, and the progress that they have made to get where they are now...

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...