The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Ryan Sherman of Communiqué Wines. In this interview, speaks about his career as a chef and sommelier, and how that led him into winemaking. He also talks about his work in Oregon and his views on the Oregon industry, as well as how he approaches the craft of winemaking. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Methven Family Vineyards on February 23, 2022.

This interview is with Sam Poehlman of Jackson Family Wines Oregon. Sam talks about growing up in the Midwest and learning about food science and dairy, then being introduced to wine. Her summer internship at Argyle turned into a full-time job, and launched her into the Oregon wine industry. She talks about the places she's worked and her mentors along the way, particularly Tony Rynders. And she t...

This interview is with Sami Gaston of Bar Diane and Négociant wine shop. At the start, Sami goes over her time before wine as an artist studying studio art, apparel design, and fashion forecasting. She also mentions her eagerness to travel, which inspired her to earn a degree in Spanish literature. The daughter of a bartender and cocktail waitress, Sami describes how she found herself soon drawn t...

This interview is with Sarah Cabot of Precept Wines. In this interview, Sarah speaks about the highs and lows of working in the Oregon Wine Industry. She talks about how her interest started, and how her love for Pinot Noir led to moving to Oregon to make wine. She speaks about working in New Zealand, and how the style of winemaking differed from back in the states. She also goes over what it’s li...

This interview is with Calli Daly and Deven Morganstern of Joyful Noise. They began the interview with speaking about their upbringings and education, their lives before wine, and how they met. Later, they spoke about starting out making garage wine, and how their business has progressed over the past few years. Next, they shared about their winemaking and business philosophies. Calli and Deven sp...

This interview is with Scotty and Jennifer Henry of Season Cellars. In this interview, the couple speak about their lives growing up in wine country. Both of them came from Oregon wine families and together they have over 60 years of winemaking experience. The couple go on to talk about their 10-year-old brand Season Cellars and describe what it is like making Southern Oregon wine with varieties l...

This interview is with Sofia Torres-McKay and Ryan McKay of Cramoisi Vineyard. In this interview, the couple speak about each of their lives before wine, how they met, and what got them interested in Oregon Wine. They talk about beginning Cramoisi Vineyard and go through their learning process of how to grow, make, and sell wine. They also discuss biodynamic farming, naming their brand, and creati...

This interview is with Spencer Spetnagel of Durant Vineyards. In this interview, Spencer speaks about his childhood in Tennessee, his college education in Atlanta, Georgia, and his eventual career in wine. He tells us that, while completing his undergrad, he waited tables in fine dining and quickly realized the impact wine has on consumers and the environment. He talks about his time working in So...

This interview is with Bruce Sonnen of Van Duzer Vineyards. In this interview, Bruce speaks finding viticulture through landscaping, and then working to hone his craft at a number of vineyards before coming to work for Van Duzer. He talks about his time at Van Duzer and how the project has matured, as well as some of the things he's proudest of, and of how he's seen Oregon's wine industry change i...

This interview is with Bethany Kimmel. In this interview, Bethany speaks about her love for Oregon wine and what drew her to the industry. She talks about her love of music and art, and how they connect to the processes of making and enjoying wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in White Salmon, Wash., on March 30, 2022.

This interview is with Sterling Whitted of Holden Wine Company. In this interview, Sterling talks about how he got into wine, how he got his education, what it was like starting Holden Wine Company, his vision, how his perception of wine has changed, what he looks for in his wines, his label design, and how the pandemic has affected his wine life. Towards the end of the interview, Sterling reflect...

This interview is with Bill and Sandy Sanchez of Potter’s Vineyard. In this interview, the couple speak about how they were inspired to make their own wine and create their own tasting room. They describe finding and purchasing Laura Volkman’s estate vineyard in 2012 and go over the process of making it their own. They also discuss why they wanted to combine wine and art, specifically clay art and...

This interview is with Steve Saxton of Bravuro Cellars. In this interview, Steve speaks about what inspired him to enter the wine industry. He compares California’s wines and wine tasting experiences to that of Oregon’s. He then goes on to talk about why he chose to set up shop in Oregon and what his initial goals were for Bravuro Cellars. He describes the process of starting the business, which i...

This interview is with Steven Westby of Witness Tree Vineyard. In this interview, Steven speaks about his college life where his interest in wine began with a project on the grapevine. He goes on to talk about working in a wine shop, backpacking across Europe, and later returning to work as a wine buyer for another store. He discusses his work as Winemaker and Vineyard Manager for Witness Tree Vin...

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...