The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with David Hendrickson of Carola Wines. In this interview, David speaks about his love of wine, cider, and surfing. David shares stories from his journey so far and discusses how he learned about the winemaking process. He talks about his interest in cider and describes his methodology, including how he collects his apples and sells his product. His brand is just beginning, but D...

This oral history interview is with David Brown of Mitchell Wine Group and Threemile Vineyard. David talks about growing up in Portland and being intrigued by growing things and building businesses from an early age. He talks about starting the Mitchell Wine Group, building a team and his leadership philosophy. Later, he talks about finding, purchasing and developing Threemile Vineyard in The Dall...

This interview is with Danie Lafayette and Drew White of Lafayette & White Cellars. In this interview, the two speak about the new wine brand they are starting together. Danie also discusses her current work at Wine by Joe and Dobbes Family Estate, while Drew speaks about his role at Walnut City Wineworks. The duo describe the process so far, the “hopeful terror” they feel when people try thei...

This oral history interview is with Dana Frank of Bar Norman in Portland. Dana talks about her introduction to wine and all the various roles she's had in the industry in Oregon. She always felt that service was her calling, and eventually started her own wine bar to focus on natural wines and serving customers. She also talks about the growth of the Oregon industry and the adjustments she and her...

This interview is with Dan Duryee of Lady Hill Winery. Dan was a semi-professional soccer player turned elementary school science teacher before finally discovering winemaking. In this interview, Dan speaks about beginning his wine journey working in restaurants and getting a job in Cana’s Feast Winery, where he stayed for 11 years. He also discusses his current role as Winemaker at Lady Hill Wine...

This interview is with Courtney Merriott and Johnny Brose of Flora Jane. In this interview, the couple speak about both their personal and joint journeys in the wine world. Johnny, who attended OSU, talks about his college introduction to the wine scene and what it is like teaching winemaking in Chemeketa’s wine studies program. Meanwhile, Courtney, who started her recognition for wine working at...

This Oral History Interview is with Craig Camp of Troon Vineyards. Craig has worked in a variety of roles in wine and a variety of places in the world, but the chance to practice biodynamic farming and winemaking at Troon is what brought him back to Oregon to stay. In this interview he talks about his path through the industry, what excites him about biodynamics, and the future of Troon and the Or...

This interview is with Corey Guinee of Core Enology. In this interview, he speaks about his upbringing, how he was introduced to the wine industry, and his work as an analytical chemist. He talks about his experience in barrel sales, wine analysis, and how this has led him to eventually co-owning and managing Core Enology. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Nicholson Library on August...

This interview is with Colin Howard of Mendivia Wines and Day Wines. In this interview, Colin speaks about getting interested in wine and finding his way to Oregon, including his working in wine and spirits on the West Coast. He then talks about getting back into wine production at Day Wines and starting his own brand, Mendivia. Colin also talks about his experience during 2020 including some crea...

This interview is with Chris Freytag and Dan Perkins of McKenzie Crest Wines. In this interview, the two share how they were initially introduced to wine and gained a passion for it. They talk about the struggles of entering the industry and only producing six bottles of wine their first year, and how the brand has grown and developed into what it is today. They conclude the interview by looking i...

This interview is with Leah Adint of Erath Winery. In this interview, Leah speaks about her childhood in Alaska and how a coffee table book from her father cemented her decision to study wine. After getting a bachelor's and a master's in enology, Leah traveled around the world learning various types of winemaking strategies and techniques. Since July 2022, she has been the Head Winemaker at Erath...

This interview is with Isabelle Meunier of Lavinea Wines. In this interview, Isabelle speaks about her time traveling the world and learning about wine. She talks about her experiences in Burgundy, New Zealand, Vancouver Island, Niagara, Oregon, and more. She describes her wine education in France, where she discovered she was interested in wine production more than marketing. Isabelle also goes o...

This interview is with Isabel Newlin of Dacha Wines. In this interview, Isabel speaks about her enthusiasm for viticulture and holistic farming, and what drew her into growing grapes and making wine. She talks about how she came to Oregon and what her work here has consisted of so far. And she talks about her Dacha Wines project and where it might be headed. Finally, she takes us on a quick vineya...

This interview is with Hans Van Dale of Dusky Goose Winery. Hans talks about how he discovered wine, and the process of deciding on it as a career path. He discusses the places he worked in California and how he ended up in Oregon, and eventually at Dusky Goose. In addition, Hans talks about the challenges (and blessings!) of the past couple years and looks ahead at the future for the Oregon wine...

This interview is with Hallie Whyte of Soter Vineyards. She began the interview with discussing her time studying math and Spanish at Linfield College. Hallie grew up in McMinnville working in and around the wine industry at restaurants and tasting rooms. After college she went to Mexico City to teach and upon returning to Oregon she ended up at Soter. Hallie began in DTC sales and eventually took...

This interview is with Gretchen Boock of Benton-Lane Winery. In this interview, Gretchen speaks about her unique introduction to the wine industry, and the leadership philosophy that has shaped her career. Despite difficult times, Gretchen is ready for whatever the future has in store for Benton Lane. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Benton-Lane Winery on August 19, 2021.

This interview is with Greg Van Dyke of Bud’s Bloom Wines. In this interview, Greg speaks about his journey in the Oregon Wine Industry, his initial interest in wine, and how he began making wine. He describes his jobs in the industry, including his work at Ken Wright Cellars and his time spent working harvest in New Zealand. Later, he talks about where the idea for Bud’s Bloom Wines came from and...

This interview is with Gary Mortensen of Stoller Wines. In this interview, Gary speaks about his wine journey, which started over thirty years ago when he began working at Sokol Blosser. However, Gary has worked in plenty of other industries since. He talks about his experience doing consulting, his involvement in tech start-ups, and his time working on screenplays and documentaries. He also discu...

This interview is with Garett Long of Troon Vineyard. In this interview, Garett speaks about his interest in biogeochemistry, also known as soil science. He also touches on what spirituality and therapeutic practices bring to the winemaking process. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Troon Vineyards tasting room in McMinnville on January 20, 2022.

This interview is with Forrest Schaad of Schaad Cellars. In this interview he begins with describing what It was like growing up visiting and working on his families vineyard, and while he was not taken with farming at first, his thirst for knowledge and love for harvest eventually drew him in. He described working several harvests for different wineries, until deciding to start his own label. For...

This interview is with Erin Upton, a Social Science Researcher and Writer. In this interview, Erin speaks about her time spent researching wine. She goes over her initial interests in wine, her research at Portland State University for her Ph. D program, and what she decided to focus her research on. She also describes the places she visited during her research, including Napa Valley, South Africa...

This interview is with Erin Palmer of Portland Wine Cellar. Erin talks about her path into wine and finding both her passion for wine and her passion for sharing it with others. She talks about finding meaningful connections through wine, and using her shop as a place to highlight wines and brands that align with her values. She also talks about the effects of 2020 on her life and work, and some o...

This interview is with Eric Misiewicz of Van Duzer Vineyards. In this interview, Eric speaks about becoming interested in wine and farming and following a path to California, Australia and back to California before finding his way to Oregon. He talks about developing a winemaking style and how that led him to Oregon, and what he's discovered about the region so far. He also talks about what comes...

This interview is with Emily Terrell of Brittan Vineyards. In this interview, Emily speaks about her path into the Wine Industry. She talks about several of the places she’s worked, such as New Zealand and France as well as what it was like working in the lab, in harvest, and eventually in the cellar. She goes over why she wanted to be a winemaker and why she chose to work in Oregon. She describes...

This interview is with Emily Bachand of Résonance. Emily talks about finding her way from the restaurant industry in California to the Oregon wine industry, and her progression through. Her dedication to service - "if we can, we should" being her guiding customer service principle - found her at Stoller Estate during a huge growth period. She talks about the lessons learned there, and what drew he...