The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Eric Hamacher of Hamacher Wines . In this interview, He begins the interview by describing why he came to Oregon and how he became invested in the Oregon Wine industry. Later on he discusses the influence that 2020 had on the industry, including the impact of COVID-19 and the Oregon fires. Eric speaks about the loss of his 2020 harvest due to the wildfire smoke, but also how...

This interview is with Brent Braun, Sommelier and wine director at Castagna. He begins the interview with describing his wine interest being sparked after studying history in college where he drank “two buck chuck” and decided to learn more about wine in general. Brent came to Oregon from Santa Cruz because of music, and found himself being drawn to the wine industry. He describes the process of b...

This interview is with Ewald Moseler. In this interview, Ewald describes his upbringing in the Mosel region of Germany, and his early impressions of vineyards and wine. He goes on to explain how he found himself with a career in the German army, and how wine found its way back into his life again. After his time in the army, Ewald found himself hitchhiking up and down the US west coast when the wi...

This interview is with Carrie Wynkoop of Cellar 503. In this interview, Carrie talks about her love of wine and everything Oregon, and how she merged the two to begin a business when she realized she wanted to be able to buy Oregon wines online. Carrie wanted to help people know about the small wineries in Oregon and understand that wine in Oregon can be affordable and approachable. She describes...

This interview is with Sam and Katy Decker of Wine + Peace. In this interview, the couple speak about their introduction to the world of wine and how their vision of Wine + Peace came to be. They talk about their journey here, starting from their Asian-Fusion restaurant in Mexico to their move to Montreal to opening Wine + Peace. They discuss their hopes for the future of their business where they...

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 Rob and Beth Crittenden of Roanoke Valley Wine Company. In this interview, the couple speak about how they became wine distributers, what it was like representing Pacific Northwest wines, and why Oregon Wine has been so successful. They discuss the collaborative and supportive nature of the Oregon Wine community and go on to predict what the future of Oregon Wine will look l...

This interview is with Brendan Stater-West in the Loire Valley in Central France. In this interview, he talks about moving to France and entering the French wine industry, the differences between the French and American practices, and the his experience in France so far. He goes on to discuss what makes a good wine, his philosophy on wine, and his vision behind his label. Brendan describes the imp...

This interview is with Alex Clark. Alex grew up in a “chemistry family” where he went on to begin his professional life in a lab building molecules. While he was working in this lab, he started writing stand up sets— this led him to move to New York to pursue his career as a comedian. While in New York he was first exposed to wine while working in restaurants. Alex describes the roundabout way he...

This interview is with Miguel Garcia, Manuel Mederle and Trevor Gorham of Vino Veritas wine shop in Portland. The trio come from three very different backgrounds, and discuss how they became interested in wine, food, and hospitality before eventually meeting each other in Portland. Manuel grew up in northern Italy and got into hospitality at an early age before transitioning toward wine and moving...

This Interview is with Rex Pickett, author of “Sideways”. In this interview, Rex starts with his upbringing and walks us through the ups and downs of his personal and professional life leading up to writing “Sideways”. He follows up with the process of getting the movie produced. He describes his formative time at UC-San Diego and his work with the university for his upcoming novel, “The Archivist...

This interview is with Tony Rynders of Tendril Wine Cellars. In this interview, Tony talks about how he got into the wine industry, his previous work experiences, and how that informed where he is today. He provides an overview for his business, his vision, and how he went about choosing what varietals to plant. Towards the end of the interview, Tony touches on his winemaking philosophy, what he s...

This interview is with Emily Miller of Leah Jørgensen Cellars. In this interview, Emily speaks about her journey in the Wine Industry, beginning with her experience at Cal Poly where she studied wine, viticulture, and enology. She talks about the internships she did while at school, which included working at Stolo Vineyards, a micro boutique winery. From there she described what it was like workin...

This Interview is with Daniel Estrin, winemaker at Cristom Vineyards. In this interview, Daniel describes his gradual exposure to the wine industry, and what the appeal to joining it was. Daniel walks us through his many harvests worked all over the world, his education, and eventual interest in soil and biodynamics. He speaks about the multi-faceted aspect of the wine industry and speaks about ge...

This Interview is with Darryl Joannides of Viola Wines. In this interview, Darryl describes growing up around the food and wine scene, where he went to school with several pioneering wine families. Later, his passion for wine and food was solidified after spending a summer studying abroad in Italy during college. He describes working at Three Doors Down, and his journey learning more about Italian...

This interview is with Austin Morris Bridges with Nostrana Restaurant. In this interview, he describes working in restaurants from a young age, working his way up, and learning from several mentors. Early on he was exposed to German Riesling, which sparked his interest in wine. Austin started taking some wine classes, and pursuing music in school. Later, he moved to Germany where he learned more a...

This interview is with Paul Bachand, owner of Recipe Neighborhood Kitchen. In this interview, Paul describes growing up around food and wine, going to culinary school, which led to moving to Bend, Oregon and working in a French restaurant. He later moved to the Willamette Valley and worked in various restaurants where he met many influential people. Paul then goes on to describe opening Recipe, de...

This interview is with Heath Payne of Abbott Claim. In this interview, he describes becoming interested in the wine industry after working at a vineyard with concord grapes in Arizona, and deciding to move to Oregon and take classes at Chemeketa Community College. After working a harvest in France for some time and falling in love with the rhythm of life there, he tells of his increasing interest...

This interview is with Jess Hereth, of Stick Figurine Wines. Jess begins with describing her increasing interest in wine after graduating from University of Oregon with a degree in French. In this interview, she describes receiving her Sommelier certification and going on to manage restaurants. Next, Jess speaks about her role at Olympia Provisions and what goes into building a wine list. She then...

This interview is with David Patte of Sun Break Wine and Cider. In this interview, David describes his evolving interest in wine following his career in fish and wildlife preservation. Next, he recounts going on to work for several brands in the Willamette Valley, including, in the tasting room at Anderson Family Wines and in production at Lumos Wines. David goes on to speak about starting his win...

This interview is with Bee and Ross Maloof of Maloof Wines. In this interview, Bee speaks about starting out her carreer as an Aerospace Materials Engineer. Ross speaks about working in restaurants for many years where he gained an interest in wine and discovered his love for hospitality. They both explain the process of starting their brand, Maloof wines, and why they decided to produce a majorit...

This interview is with Guillaume Large of Résonance Wines. In this interview, Guillaume describes growing up in France, and his journey working for several wineries in Burgundy, including Maison Louis Jadot. He explains eventually making his way to the WIllamette Valley to continue the Maison Louis Jadot legacy in Oregon. He describes starting the brand Résonance in the Willamette Valley, and what...

This interview is with Kim Abrahams of Lingua Franca. In this interview, Kim begins with describing her journey into the wine industry after graduation. She first speaks of moving to Tasmania where she worked in the vineyard and learned more about Viticulture and Enology. Kim then goes on to speak about what it was like coming to Oregon and working harvest and then working as a cellar hand at Doma...

This interview is with Tabitha and Matt Compton with Compton Family Wines. In this interview, they describe meeting in college, with Matt managing a research vineyard for Oregon State, and later starting a vineyard management company. Matt and Tabitha describe establishing Spindrift Cellars, and later changing the brand to Compton Family Wines. They speak about their decision to change their brand...

This interview is with Cody Wright of Purple Hands Winery. In this interview, Cody describes growing up in a winemaking family, and going off to study environmental science in College where he focused on Geology. He describes gaining his experience after graduation working harvests in Oregon and Australia. Later, he explains what went into the naming of his brand, “Purple Hands” and the process of...