The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Edwin Martinis of Mitchell Wine Group and Threemile Vineyard. In this interview, Edwin speaks about finding the wine industry by accident while he was teaching and coaching football, and about being immediately intrigued by wine and the wine industry. He talks about his work selling wine and managing at a variety of places, and what brought him to Mitchell Wine Group. He als...

This interview is with Jacob Sembler of Fayetta Vineyard. In this interview, Jacob speaks about his interest in wine and biodynamics, and how he found himself in Oregon and getting into the wine industry. He also talks about places like Brooks and Brick House where he has worked, and about starting his own vineyard project. He also talks about the future for his work and what he hopes to accomplis...

This interview is with Jake Pippin of Multnomah Wine Studio. In this interview, Jake speaks about his journey through the world of wine. He goes over his work at Wines of Chile and discusses how the Chilean wine industry has grown. He also considers how Chile may change as its wine culture develops. Jake takes us through his wine education, both formal and informal, and also describes his other jo...

This interview is with Janis Pate with Arlyn Vineyard. She spoke about her time working in risk management at Disney, and what led her to join the wine industry. Janis described why she ended up in Oregon, and how she chose the land and varieties. She spoke of her initial goals for Arlyn Vineyard, and about her decision to farm biodynamicaly. Later, Janis spoke about the affects of the Pandemic an...

This interview is with Jarad Hadi of Grape Ink Wines. In this interview, Jarad begins speaking about his interests before wine, including poetry, snowboarding, and traveling. He then talks about his initial interest in the wine industry and describes how he made his first wine. He goes on to discuss his wine and viticulture education in Bordeaux and what it was like getting his first jobs in the i...

This interview is with Jason Brumley of Cana’s Feast and formerly of Xylem Wines. In this interview, Jason speaks about his upbringing, and why he ended up in Oregon. He explains his philosophy of winemaking, and how it has developed and changed throughout the years. In the second part of the interview, Jason demonstrates the weather and climate conditions that affect the wine industry in Oregon....

This interview is with Jeff Meader of Eminent Domaine. In this interview, Jeff talks about growing up near Ribbon Ridge on a farm and falling in love with that lifestyle. He speaks about attending college for business, yet taking agricultural courses and goes on to describe his time working in commercial real estate. Later, Jeff discusses his discovery of the Oregon wine world and the formation of...

This interview is with Jerry Gilmer of Abbey Wine Warehouse. In this interview, Jerry speaks about his life before wine, growing up in Oregon on a farm in Canby and later joining the National Guard. He goes on to describe how he got swept away by the wine world and began his work in the industry by storing wine. He talks about problem-solving, growing the business at Abbey Wine Warehouse, and lear...

This interview is with Jess and Paden West of Approachment Wine Co. In this interview, the couple speak about their various experiences in the wine industry and their current projects. The couple met when they were lab partners in a chemistry course while studying wine in the NW Wine Studies program, from there they both have had successful careers. Jess talks about her time learning sales and wor...

This interview is with Jess Pierce. In this interview, Jess speaks about her experience traveling Italy and Germany, and the people that inspired her to enter the wine industry. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her moving to Portland began her love for wine in the Oregon community. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Road's End State Park in Lincoln City on August 12, 2021.

This oral history interview is with Jess Sandrock. Jess talks about her accidental introduction to wine through a love of horticulture and her discovery of a love of teaching. Her work as an instructor at Chemeketa Community College and with the nonprofit AHIVOY are discussed, as are the changes in the Oregon wine industry and some possibilities for the future. This interview was conducted by Rich...

This interview is with Joe Cushman of Threemile Vineyard. Joe talks about growing up in a wine family, and being surrounded by it - if not necessarily enamored with it - from a young age. He then talks about discovering a love of viticulture through horticulture, and developing his passion while attending Oregon State University. Later, Joe talks about returning to the Columbia Gorge and working w...

This interview is with Joe Wright of Left Coast Cellars. In this interview, Joe speaks about his upbringing, his early interests, and why he decided to move from Southern California to Oregon. He talks about learning the ins and outs of winemaking, as well as, his first experiences in the Oregon Wine Industry. He also shares stories and discusses memorable moments in his wine career. He goes on to...

This interview is with Joel Gunderson of Coopers Hall. In this interview, Joel speaks of his journey from poet to Restaurant/Winery and Taproom owner. He begins with his unconventional early childhood, falling in love and moving to Portland, and his decision to pursue a career in the wine industry for his child and romantic vision of life. Joel speaks about getting his certification through the In...

This interview is with Matt Vuylsteke of Amaterra Winery. In this interview, Matt speaks about growing up around wine in the Portland area and his subsequent study of winemaking and the industry at Oregon State. Matt and his wife Nancy started 51Weeks Winemaking as a passion project while Matt worked in government and consulting related to wine sales. Matt discusses working with the team at Amater...

This interview is with Cheryl Wakerhauser of Pix Pâtisserie. In this interview, Cheryl speaks about growing up in Wisconsin and then, through traveling abroad, finding a deep passion for French baking. She eventually came to Portland and started making confections and growing a business. Along the way, Cheryl started building a wine list - focused largely on sparkling wine - that would win interna...

This interview is with Jonathan Oberlander of J. Scott Cellars. In this interview, Jonathan speaks about his time before wine, back when he was a self-described “surf bum.” He talks about his first job out of college as a wine and spirits distributer, which exposed him to the idea of winemaking as a career. Jonathan discusses his decision to enroll in the winemaking school at Cal State Fresno and...

This interview is with Josh McDaniels of Doubleback Winery and Bledsoe Family Winery. In this interview, Josh speaks about growing up in Walla Walla and starting his own winery in high school. He talks about why he was attracted to wine in the first place and what it was like learning the ins and outs of winemaking and viticulture. He goes over his experience working with Chris Figgins at Leonetti...

This interview is with Josh Segal of Prufrock Wines. In this interview, Josh talked about his career working in music, including creating scores for films and touring with a number of bands. He found his interest in wine while on a tour bus, and started down the path of wine education and discovery. That path eventually led him to Oregon, and into wine sales and distribution. He talks about gettin...

This interview is with Juan Pablo Valot and Doris Cancel-Tirado of Valcan Cellars. In this interview, the couple speak about how they met and what began their interest in the wine industry. They talk about why they decided to move to Oregon and they compare the Argentina and Oregon Wine industries. They go on to describe the Oregon environment and community and what their first experiences were li...

This interview is with Julia Bailey and Scott Gulstine of Loop de Loop Wines. Julia talks about how she became interested in wine and starting Loop de Loop, and she and Scott talk about their lives before wine and how they've worked together as the label has grown. They also talked about their new site in the Columbia Gorge and what the future holds. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at...

This interview is with Julia Burke of Willamette Valley Wineries. In this interview, Julia speaks about her wine journey that eventually brought her to the West Coast. She talks about her initial love of wine and an internship she took in South Africa that opened her eyes to all the work that goes into winemaking. She also describes the joy she gets from educating others and shares that she plans...

This interview is with Julia Cattrall of Great Oregon Wine Company. She began the interview with what life looked like growing up on her family's farm, and later discussed her education and what got her into wine. Julia shared about working her first harvest and the steep learning curve of winemaking. She worked at Lumos and Ransom where she learned more about the wine industry and at Ransom learn...

This interview is with Jure Poberaj of Poberaj Wines. In this interview, Jure speaks about finding an interest in wine and cooking while growing up in Washington DC, and finding his way to Oregon for college. He talks about moving to the Columbia Gorge and starting a bakery, and from there starting to make wine before finding a site for a vineyard and winery space. He also talks about how the Gorg...

This interview is with Charley Coury and Joel Myers, telling the story of Charles Coury (Charley's father) and his life. Charles Coury attended UC Davis and helped start the modern Oregon wine industry in the Willamette Valley in the mid-1960s. Charley and Joel, who grew up together in Sacramento, Calif., before both families eventually moved to Oregon, talk about Charles' early life, his work and...