The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Ian Burch of Archery Summit Winery. In this interview, Ian talks about how he got into the wine industry and the education, and work experience that he received to get him to where he is today. Ian then goes on to speak about the various places he traveled to gain worldly perspectives, and how he later ended up in Oregon and his initial impressions. He also touches on his de...

This interview is with Pascal Brooks, Owner of Brooks Winery. This interview starts with Pascal discussing what it was like growing up around the Oregon wine industry and the impact his Dad, Jimi Brooks, had on his life. He also talks about is interest in wine particularly Riesling, being a part of the documentary American Wine Story and the future of Brooks Winery. This interview was conducted by...

This interview is with Doug Tunnell of Brick House Vineyards. In this interview, Doug talks about his love for wine, his studies abroad, previous work experience as a former correspondent with CBS, and what eventually led him to choosing wine. He then discusses why he chose the land, how he learned how to grow grapes along with his current grape growing philosophy (biodynamic farming), the growth...

This interview is in three portions. The first part is with Pat Dudley, President and Marketing Director of Bethel Heights Vineyard, who speaks about how she got into the Oregon wine industry and how a liberal arts education provided her a strong foundation. During the second portion of the interview, Dudley is joined by Marilyn Webb, Dudley’s sister-in-law and the Chief Financial Officer of Bethe...

This interview is with Clare Carver and Brian Marcy of Big Table Farm. In this interview, the couple discuss how they got into the Oregon Wine Industry after moving from California to Oregon. Brian discusses his love for wine after transitioning from being a beer maker, as well as its natural pairing to food as a big part of his lifestyle— that is what has kept him so passionate. Clare speaks abou...

This interview is with Chris Willams, the winemaker at Brooks Winery. Chris talks about his roundabout introduction to the wine industry by his friend and founder of Brooks Winery, Jimi Brooks. He then discusses his love of Muscat and the future of the Oregon wine industry. This interview was conducted by Stephanie Hofmann at Brooks Winery on Janurary 10, 2018.

This interview is with Janie Brooks Heuck, the managing director at Brooks Winery. First, she talks about her brother, Jimi, and how she first got introduced to the industry. Janie discusses the challenges of marketing wine now and the future of the industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Brooks Winery on January 10, 2018.

This interview is with David Nemarnik, owner and vineyard manager, and Tom Fitzpatrick, winemaker, at Alloro Vineyard. The interview is split into three sections with the first being with just David, the second with Tom and the last part is with both of them. During the first section, David talks about his dream of owning a vineyard and the importance of being LIVE certified. The second part with...

This interview is with Bertony Faustin, owner and winemaker of Abbey Creek Winery. During this interview, Bertony discusses the challenges of creating a winery from scratch and crafting a wine brand that’s unique to who he is. Bertony talks about the newly released documentary, Red, White & Black: An Oregon Wine Story and his hopes for the future of the industry. This interview was conducted b...

This interview is with Thomas Houseman, winemaker of Anne Amie Vineyards. In this interview, Thomas tells the story of how he came to love winemaking: from being a professional dancer, to brewing beer, to finally wine. He goes on to discuss how his creative side informs his winemaking, as it is very much like dancing. Thomas explains how his wines are unique—his acid driven blends can be easily sp...

This interview is with Joe Allan and Karen Saul, owners of Andanté Vineyard. In this interview, the couple discuss why they got into wine with a desire to “come back to the land.” The couple realized that they wanted land in the countryside, found their vineyard, and decided to plant grapes. Joe calls the business “a labor of love,” discussing the difficulties with owning the vineyard and being in...

This interview is with Dean and Ann Fisher of ADEA Wine co. In this interview, the couple talk about how they got into wine after it originally being a hobby. Dean then talks about his time working with people in the industry such as Michael Etzel and Hal Medici, and the process of getting the Gaston property and creating their vineyard. They then share memorable experiences and what makes their l...

This interview is with Joe Olexa of Ankeny Vineyard and Winery.  In the interview, Olexa first talks about how he came to his property, what it was like growing the grapes, and making the wine. He then discusses the future of the Oregon wine industry. This interview was conducted by Camille Weber at Ankeny Vineyard and Winery on August 17, 2015.

This interview is with Elena Rodriguez of Alumbra. In this interview, Elena answers the question “why grapes,” as she details how she grew up and now took over the vineyard for her father. She then goes on to talk about the challenges in managing her vineyard, developing a love for farming grapes, how she goes about finding buyers for them, and what she currently and will plant. Elena then goes on...

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.