The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Ted Lemon of Littorai Wines. Ted describes his wine journey, beginning in 1981 in France at the Université de Dijon where he studied enology. He talks about his experience working for a Burgundian estate and goes on to explain why he later moved to California. Even though Ted currently resides at his Sonoma Coast winery, he consults for wineries across California, Oregon, an...

This interview is with Ben and Carrie Martin of Dauntless Wine Cø. In this interview, the couple speak about how they became a part of the Oregon Wine Industry. They begin by talking about their life before wine including how they met, Ben’s service in the military, and their education. Then they describe their initial interest in the wine industry and how the idea of Dauntless Wine Cø surfaced. T...

This interview is with Ben Howe of Stoller Wine Group. In this interview, Ben speaks about his history in the winemaking world. He talks about moving to Oregon from the Midwest and attending Oregon State University where he graduated with a Bachelors in Fermentation Science. He also describes his experience working in the California and Southern India Wine Industries. Later, Ben discusses he role...

This interview is with Ben Holland of Left Coast Cellars. In this interview, Ben shares how he got into wine and some of the lessons he’s learned throughout his years working at many different Oregon wineries. Later in the interview, he goes on to talk about the challenges in 2020 that came with the pandemic and other changes he’s noticed in the industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmi...

This interview is with Tai-Ran Niew of Niew Vineyards. In the interview, Tai-Ran takes us through his journey so far, which includes his time before wine. Prior to entering the Wine Industry, Tai-Ran studied aeronautical engineering at Cambridge and worked as an investment banker. During trips abroad he discovered more about wine and his interest continued to grow. Tai-Ran specifically describes h...

This Oral History Interview is with Tim Rippa of Petit Monde Wine Merchants. Tim talks about his introduction to the wine industry and his path through in Oregon, including restaurants, production and distribution. He also talks about the challenges of building wine lists and selling wine, and the projects he's working on now. Tim concludes by talking about the changes he's seen in the Oregon wine...

This interview is with Timothy Nishimoto. In this interview, Timothy speaks about his love for food and wine and how he became the wine buyer for Made in Oregon stores. Timothy has loved singing since he was young and has been a member of the band Pink Martini since 2003. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Timothy’s home on February 18, 2022.

This interview is with Travis Cook who is the owner of Copper Belt Winery in the Snake River Valley AVA. In this interview Travis talks about his start in the wine industry, making wine in this AVA, his wine making philosophies and the future for Oregon wine. This interview took place on April 20th, 2016 in the Austin Reading Room at Linfield College by Camille Weber and Rachael Woody.

This Oral History Interview is with Todd Hansen of Longplay Wine. Todd describes his growing interest in wine leading to his purchasing a vineyard, and learning viticulture (and later winemaking) along the way. He adds insights about the Oregon wine industry and the people who helped him along the way. Todd also speaks about the intersection of wine and music and about the future of his brand and...

This interview is with Tom Caruso of Pray Tell Wines. In this interview, Tom shares the journey of Pray Tell, including how the label got its name. He talks about his life before wine back when he edited psychology books and then goes into his exploration into the Oregon wine world. He also speaks about his childhood where he helped his father make wine in Philadelphia. Later, Tom describes his wi...

This interview is with Tom Schaad of August Cellars. In this interview, Tom tells the story of August Cellars. He goes over starting the business, choosing the land, and building their clientele. He talks about his mission for the brand, describing it as a “Tuesday night wine” and notes the steps they have taken to reach their goals. Later, Tom speaks about his role as Facility Manager at August C...

This interview is with Travis Bonilla of Bergström Wines. In this interview, Travis speaks about his career in winemaking and why he began working in the Oregon Wine Industry. He describes his wine education process, which included working harvest, developing his palate, and learning from mentors. He also talks about his winemaking style. He goes over how he became Assistant Winemaker at Bergström...

This interview is with Andy McVay of Portland Wine Cellar. In this interview, Andy speaks about his passion for art and agriculture, and how science is the nuts and bolts of life. Andy takes us through his experience in winemaking from cellarmaster to winemaker. His journey follows him through wineries like Edgefield Winery and Dobbes Family Estate. He also talks about stepping away from winemakin...

This interview is with Travis Todd of De La Boue Wines. In this interview, Travis speaks about his life before wine, including his work in the restaurant industry. He goes on to talk about his understanding of the Oregon Wine Industry prior to joining it versus his impression after he began working in Oregon. He also describes his first experiences in the industry, going over what lessons he found...

This interview is with Andy Young of St. Reginald Parish and Marigny Wines. In this interview, Andy speaks about feeling a call to wine, and how its role in his life was a recurring theme. He talks about his life before wine, including his time performing alt rock music professionally after signing a record deal. He also discusses some of his other vocations, like his work in advertising, and how...

This interview is with Kathy McBride of Filigree and Stone. In this interview, Kathy speaks about her life before wine, growing up in Australia and going to work for Four Seasons. Her time in hospitality took her all over the world, and instilled a passion for food and wine. She talks about deciding to make wine, her wine education in Australia and eventually finding her way to Oregon. After joini...

This interview is with Ben Casteel of Bethel Heights Vineyard. In this interview, Ben speaks about being born into the wine industry. He goes over what it was like growing up on a vineyard and working with his father, uncle, and cousins. He describes his education and his interest in English Literature before he decided to pursue wine. Ben also talks about going to France, learning the language, a...

This interview is with Aurélien Labrosse of Auriginal Wines. In this interview, Aurélien speaks about pursuing wine as an offshoot of a passion for food, and obtaining formal and informal wine education. He talks about coming to the US, and what brought him to Oregon, first at Del Rio in Southern Oregon before coming to work with John Grochau in the Willamette Valley. He also talks about what has...

This interview is with Art Tierce of Antica Terra. In this interview, Art speaks about his background in food, wine, and spirits, and the revelation of starting to learn about wine and work in the industry. He then tells of how he came to Oregon, his work at Ransom and a variety of places around Portland, and about continuing his wine education both formally and informally. Later, he tells how he...

This interview is with Ari and Brandy Grey of Greywing Wines. In this interview, Ari and Brandy talk about their interesting lives and careers before wine, and about finding wine first through hospitality and later production. They talk about the various places they've worked in the wine industry, and about starting their brand Greywing. Though small, they have ambitions with the wines they produc...

This interview is with Whitney Schubert of Polaner Selections. In this interview, Whitney speaks about coming to Linfield as a student and finding an interest in the local wine industry. From there she talks about getting into wine sales and distribution before taking over as the executive director of the International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC). She talks at length about her time with IPNC, as...

This interview is with Anthony Sereni of Flâneur Wines. In this interview, Anthony speaks about his experience in wine, an industry he found his passion for while rollerblading. He tells us how he made a friend who was both a skateboarder and a winemaker - he was the one who helped introduce Anthony to the wonderful world of wine. Anthony goes on to talk about his work in New Zealand, at Archery S...

This interview is with Bill Holloran of Holloran Vineyard Wines. In this interview, Bill speaks about how he went from living on the East Coast managing property to owning a vineyard and making wine in Oregon. He describes his discovery of the land that is now Holloran Vineyard and discusses his involvement in the “garagiste” winemaking movement in 1999 Oregon. Bill also talks about the wine commu...

This interview is with Mark Huff and Jill Zarnowitz of Stag Hollow Wines. In this interview, Mark and Jill speak about finding a passion for wine and following it to learning how to make wine, then eventually planting grapes and starting Stag Hollow. They also talk about their careers working in science and nature, and how they balanced their time between their various passions and jobs. And they...

This interview is with Angus James of Broadway Wine Merchants. In this interview, Angus speaks about getting into the wine sales business at a very early age thanks to his in-laws’ grocery business and about learning the business of wine from that side. He also talks about building relationships with many of the early producers in the state and how he’s seen the Oregon wine industry grow and chang...