The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Mary Olson of Airlie Winery. In this interview, Mary talks about why she chose wine, and how she got exposed to Pinot Noir after moving to Oregon. She then goes on to talk about how she ended up at Airlie after helping out with the 1996 harvest. Mary then goes on to speak about her business philosophy, and what it means to have a women-owned-and-operated brand. Towards the e...

This interview is with Elizabeth Clark of Airlie Winery. In this interview, Elizabeth talks about how she entered the wine industry and ended up in Oregon. She then goes on to talk about her various work experiences, initial impressions of Oregon, and how she ended at Airlie. Further into the interview, Elizabeth offers her winemaking philosophy, and what she hopes consumers to get from Airlie win...

This interview is with Dan and Christine Jepsen, owners of Alpine Vineyards in Monroe, Oregon. The couple discusses how they bought the ranch land in 1975 and have since grown a variety of grapes. The Jepsens take pride in their tradition of solely estate bottled wines. In this interview, the Jepsens talk about how they got into the Oregon wine industry, how things have changed since the beginning...

This interview is with Ted Casteel, the Vineyard Manager at Bethel Heights Vineyard. Casteel speaks to why the family entered the wine industry, the logistics of a family operation, and why they chose the Eola Amity Hills. Casteel elaborates on how he’s seen the Oregon wine industry evolve, specifically viticulture knowledge and practices with the creation of programs like LIVE (Low Input Viticult...

This interview is with Katherine Cole, an Oregon wine writer. Katherine talks about how she started writing about Oregon wine, the kinds of stories that interest her and each of her books. She also discusses at length about the social movement of Rosé and some of the challenges of being a wine writer. This interview was conducted by Stephanie Hofmann at Katherine Cole’s house in Portland on August...

This interview is with Scott Henry, winemaker at Henry Estate Winery in Umpqua, Oregon. Henry discusses how he came into the wine industry, why he chose this location, wine growing techniques, and his specific memories from years of being involved in the wine industry. This interview was conducted by Janis Miglavs on September 28, 2009.

This interview is with Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash, of Penner-Ash Wine Cellars.  In this interview, Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash discuss their experience in the Oregon wine industry. Lynn talks about her journey from being in the California wine industry, to becoming the first woman winemaker of note in Oregon, to finally owning her own winery with Ron. Ron talks about joining the industry bit by bit throu...

This interview is with Rich Cushman of Viento Wines and includes topics such as Cushman’s role in the start of several wineries, the history and inception of Viento Wines, and the place of the wine industry in Hood River.  Cushman discusses how he became interested in wine after taking a wine tasting class at Oregon State University in the 1970s and how that interest has grown into his current car...

This interview is with Leda Garside, the Services Manager of ¡Salud!. During this interview, Leda talks about why she became a nurse and the foundation of ¡Salud!. She also discusses the challenges facing vineyard workers and their families access to healthcare. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Tuality Hospital in Hillsboro, Oregon on June 15, 2018.

This interview is with Renee Neely and Laurie Lewis, owners of the Portland urban winery Hip Chicks Do Wine. In this interview, they talk about being the first urban winery in Portland, being a part of the LBGTQA community, making wine that is “serious wine, serious fun,” and the future of that section of the wine industry. This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody and Stephanie Hofmann at the...

This interview is with Bill Blosser, one of the founders of Sokol Blosser Winery.  In this interview, he discusses what it was like being one of the first people to make wine in Oregon, land use in the state, and the future of the wine industry in Oregon. This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody at Jereld R. Nicholson Library at Linfield College on January 8, 2016.

This interview is with Earl Jones of Abacela Winery. In this interview, Earl discusses the early wine industry history in the region and his own involvement in the industry.  In addition to the history of Abacela and the regional wine industry, the Earl reflects upon the identity of Southern Oregon wines and which varietals are suited for the Southern Oregon climate. This interview was conducted b...

This interview is with Joe, Pat, Anna, and Adam Campbell, of Elk Cove Vineyards.  The Campbell family are one of Oregon’s earliest winemaking families. In 1973, Pat and Joe Campbell moved their young family from Parkdale, Oregon to Gaston, Oregon to establish Elk Cove Vineyards. What happens after is what Joe and Pat describe as a “year of discovery,” as they teach themselves how to farm and becom...

This interview is with Paul Johnson of Satyr Fire Wine. In this interview, Paul speaks about discovering a passion for wine, diving deep into the topic, and eventually deciding he needed to be in Oregon to be fully immersed. He talks about his initial work at Duck Pond Cellars, which enabled him to work on both the business side and in the cellar. From there, he talks about his formative time with...

Stephen Cary is the winemaker at Yamhill Valley Vineyards in McMinnville, Oregon. Cary has left many impressive marks on the wine industry during his time thus far, including the founding of the Steamboat Conference and organizing the Burgundy Challenge. He knew early on that a normal 9-5 job was not the right path for him and has since been involved in the industry as a wine seller, buyer and mak...

This interview is with Morgan and Jessica Broadley of Broadley Vineyards. In this interview, Morgan and Jessica speak about their growing interest in wine, and taking over as the second generation at Broadley Vineyards. Morgan talks about growing up with his parents in the industry, and having to develop his own passion for wine, while Jessica talks about her growing role and the entrepreneuership...

This interview is with Colleen Kenny of Waverley Country Club. In this interview, Colleen speaks about finding her way into wine after growing up in Chicago, and about working in production and hospitality within the industry. She describes coming to Oregon and finding her community here while working as a harvest intern and with Italian-focused wine lists at Portland-area restaurants. She also ta...

This interview is with Craig and Claudia Broadley of Broadley Vineyards. In this interview, Craig and Claudia speak about growing up in Sacramento, getting intrigued by wine while living in San Francisco, and eventually following a dream of Pinot Noir to Oregon, finding land and starting Broadley Vineyards in the 1980s. They tell stories of wine-related adventures, including some harrowing moments...

This interview is with Lisette Hrapmann of Day Wines and Fizzy Lizzy Wines. In this interview, Lisette speaks about growing up in New Orleans and having wine as part of her life before she appreciated it or saw it as part of her future. She talks about her formative first harvest in California and her work in a variety of places before finding her way to Oregon in 2020. Lisette talks about working...

This interview is with Clay Wesson of Willamette Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Clay speaks about his education and early work in horticulture, and his eventual transition into viticulture specifically. His work led him into biodynamics and stewardship of the land. He talks about bringing that skillset to Willamette Valley Vineyards' new project Domaine Willamette, and working to transition...

This interview is with AJ Weinzettel of Weinnotes. In this interview, AJ speaks about his upbringing in Tennessee and how his passion for wine began when he moved to Oregon. His interests in technology and science go hand in hand with his love for sharing stories over a glass of wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Hazelfern Cellars on November 3, 2021.

This interview is with Elaine Brown, a traveling wine writer. She starts off talking about the transition from higher education to the wine industry and the challenges of writing about wine. Elaine also discusses her favorite things to write about and the future of the industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield College on February 26th, 2018.

This interview is with Dick Erath of Erath Winery. In this interview, Dick shares his experience of working in the Oregon wine industry. He speaks about the benchmark moments in the Oregon Wine Industry, tells stories about others in the industry, and goes over struggles the industry faced - like the appearance of phylloxera. He describes the early days at Erath, as well as the challenges and ques...

This interview is with Diana Schultz of Augustina Cellars. In this interview, Diana speaks about her passion for art, creative ventures, and storytelling. She discusses her involvement in theater and dance, which have aided her love of travel and taken her to California, New York, and Oregon. She tells us that along the way she discovered an interest in wine and began learning all she could. Diana...

This interview is with Dennis and Marlene Grant of Parrett Mountain Cellars. In this interview, the couple speak about building their business and figuring out how to make wine. They describe the process of finding grapes, forming their brand, and selling their product. They also talk about making big reds, building their tasting room, and creating a wine club. The couple talk about teaching peopl...