The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

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...

This interview is with Karl Weichold of Stoller Wine Group. In this interview, Karl talks about his college experience in Texas, where he was introduced to the wine world while waiting tables at an Italian Restaurant. After working for a few wineries in Texas, he made his way to Oregon. Karl speaks about the differences between the Texas and Oregon wine industries and describes his time working at...

This interview is with Kate Ayres of Penner-Ash Wine Cellars. In this interview, Kate speaks about her education and training in the industry and goes over various jobs she’s worked. She describes her first harvest and what it was like creating memories with her crew. She goes over what it’s like working in different places and how winemaker’s style can vary. She also tells some fun stories, inclu...

This interview is with Kate Claunch of Antica Terra Winery. In this interview, Kate speaks about how a love for food and Europe led her to begin her wine education. She talks about beginning her Sommelier career with the esteemed Yellowstone Club Ski Resort in Montana where she learned the ins and outs of the trade and eventually became lead Sommelier. She describes her time spent studying, travel...

This interview is with Kathleen Willcox, wine writer. In this interview Kathleen describes growing up in Germany and tells of her interest in wine and journalism blossoming over the years. She describes starting out writing for her local newspaper, moving to New York, and later working as a freelance writer. Kathleen speaks about what drew her to wine and journalism and how it continues to interes...

This interview is with Kathryn Hermann of 00 Wines. In this interview, Kathryn speaks about her upbringing, and how growing up surrounded by nature affected her understanding of wine. Her careers in marketing, product management, and software development led her to her current role at 00 Wines. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Kathryn's home in Carlton on August 19, 2021.

This interview is with KC Marold of Winderlea Vineyard and Winery. In this interview, KC speaks about her time at Linfield, specifically her time studying abroad and landing her first job in a tasting room. She talks about gaining experience in the wine industry, including her first harvest, interning in New Zealand, and working in the lab. She also talks about her experience selling wine, meeting...

This interview is with Kerry McDaniel Boenisch. In this interview, Kerry shares what it was like growing up on a vineyard, and how it influenced her to stay in the wine business. She is the owner of DirtVineWine, which provides media and communications for the food and beverage industry. Kerry is also an author, consultant, and more. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in Dundee, Oregon o...

This interview with Kevin and Carla Chambers focuses on their time in the Oregon wine industry. In the interview they talk about how they got into wine, the different roles they took on in the industry and the wine culture in Oregon. This interview took place in the Austin Reading Room at Linfield College on April 21, 2016 by Rich Schmidt and Jordan Hitchcock.

This interview is with Kimberly Conyers of BitCork. In this interview, Kimberly speaks about her experiences with Oregon Wine - the good and the bad. She talks briefly about her life before wine and then goes over all the jobs she’s had in the industry, including her work at Eola Hills, BitCork, Archer, and Pioneer Packaging. She describes her work on the buying side, selling side, and packaging s...

This interview is with Kirk Sutherland of Erde Wines. In this interview, Kirk talks about his experience with wine and his journey into the Oregon wine world. He speaks about developing his palate, initially through coffee and later through wine and wine tastings. He goes over what it was like living on the East Coast and how that experienced compared after moving to Oregon. He describes his wine...

This interview is with Kristen Marchesi of Beck Family Estates. In this interview, Kristin talks about growing up around wine and eventually entering the industry herself. She goes over some over her original interests, including theater and the culinary world, and explains how she began working for her dad, who was running a winery. She describes what it was like working as the daughter of the co...