The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

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...

This interview is with Felipe Ramirez of Rose and Arrow Estate. In this interview, Felipe describes growing up and studying winemaking in Chile, continuing his education in various parts of France, and eventually making his way to Oregon to continue his journey in the wine industry. Felipe then expresses what it is like working with members of the French and Chilean wine industries here in Oregon....

This interview is with Carol and Peter Adams of Trout Lily Ranch. In this interview, Carol and Peter describe discovering their love for wine after traveling through Europe, and eventually deciding to purchase land to plant grapes on. Later, Carol talks about being a woman winemaker in the early days of the Oregon wine industry and the challenges she was faced with. They both go on to speak about...

This interview is with Dave Paige of David Paige Wines. In this interview, Dave describes how he got into wine, the education he received, and his various travels that informed his understanding of wine and winemaking. Dave then goes on to speak about what it was like coming to Oregon and working his first harvest at Adelsheim, just days after 9/11. He describes what it was like taking over as win...

This interview is with Luke Wylde and Meredith Bell of Statera Cellars. In this interview, Meredith and Luke describe their backgrounds in Chemistry and Theatre/Event Planning. They tell of each of their experiences working harvest abroad and getting bit by the wine bug, thus sparking an interest with Chardonnay. Next, Luke and Meredith talk about meeting and deciding to start their own label. The...

This interview is with Sanjeev Lahoti and Angela Summers of Saffron Fields. In this interview, Sanjeev and Angela describe how they went from chemical engineers in Texas, to deciding to buy their forever home in Oregon, thus leading them to plant a vineyard and start their own wine label. They speak about the various decisions that went into planting their vineyard and designing their tasting room...

This interview is with Luke and Emily De Hayr, owners of Gemini Vineyards. In this interview they spoke about their meeting, how they eventually found the Gemini Vineyard site, and their farming techniques as well as the training system for their vines. Next, they speak about raising young children at the vineyard, and the importance of having a family run farm. Emily and Luke describe their relat...

This interview is with Mike Kuenz of David Hill Winery. In this interview, Mike talks about how he got into wine and eventually David Hill and his initial impressions. Along the way, he touches on his vision for David Hill, and what is unique about it. Towards the end of the interview, he speaks about what he sees for the future for himself, and David Hill. This interview was conducted by Rich Sch...

This interview is with Tracy Kendall of Nicolas-Jay. In this interview, Tracy talks about how she got into wine and received her education, her various travels, what’s unique about Oregon, and the knowledge she received working with various people in the industry. Tracy also speaks about her winemaking philosophy and how it has evolved, what she sees for herself within the next ten years, what she...

This interview is with Andrew Turner of Valley Wine Merchants. In this interview, Andrew talks about how he got into wine, his various work experiences including working in the culinary industry, and how he eventually came to Oregon. Andrew also speaks about what it’s like selecting wines, his initial impressions of the OR industry, and what he sees for the future. This interview was conducted by...

This interview is with John Gabelhausen of Alexana Winery. In this interview, John answers how he got into wine, what he was doing before wine, his various travels, and how his time at the Virgin Islands informed his job now. John also talks about how he got to work at Alexana and what his role includes, challenges that are unique to his position, and what he sees Oregon looking like in the future...

This interview is with Jared Etzel of Domaine Roy & fils. In this interview, Jared talks about how he got into wine, what it was like growing up on the Beaux Fréres property, his experiences working in the industry and abroad, what it was like setting up Domaine Roy and what he looked for in the property, and some differences between Domaine Roy and Beaux Fréres. Jared also speaks about what h...