The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Michael Donovan, member of the Oregon Wine Board and covers topics including early wine industry history and Michael Donovan’s involvement in the Oregon wine industry. In addition to wine industry history, Donovan speaks to the food and wine cultural evolution during the 1960s and 1970s from his perspective as a restaurant owner and, later, a wine industry insider. The inter...

This interview is with Michael Claypool, owner and winemaker of Clay Pigeon Winery. In this interview, Claypool talks about the influence of being a sommelier on his winery, how being in an urban setting affects his business, and advice for anyone wanting to get into the industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt and Stephanie Hofmann at Clay Pigeon Winery on July 25, 2016.

This interview is with Melissa Burr, director of winemaking at Stoller Family Estate. In this interview, Melissa discusses why how she came into the wine industry as she saw the industry emerging and fell in love with it. She also talks about how her science background informed her role in the wine industry: “having that core science was certainly helpful.” She also talks about how the various job...

This interview is with Melaney Schmidt of Landmass Wines. In this interview, Melaney talks about how she got into the wine business, came to Oregon, and got an education that led her to create her label Landmass. She speaks about how she came up with the label, the process of selling wine, and what she looks for when sourcing grapes. Melaney goes on to detail her other business, Public Provisions,...

This interview is with Matt Berson of Portland Wine Company. In this interview, Matt talks about how he got into wine by being in the restaurant business, to becoming a winemaker himself and owner of Love and Squalor. He also talks about his travels, and how the different regions compare and contrast to one another in terms of wine. He then goes on to explain how he came up with the unique name of...

This interview is with Mary Reinke, former owner of Honeywood Winery and covers topics such as how she got into the industry, how she took over the winery, and how she uniquely marketed the business. Mary Reinke was born in The Dalles, Oregon in the early 1920s and later moved to Salem, Oregon with her family. In 1943, Reinke started working at Honeywood Winery, Oregon’s oldest running fruit winer...

This interview is with Mary Bjelland of Bjelland Winery and covers topics including early wine industry history in Douglas County and Paul and Mary Bjelland’s involvement in the industry. The interview focuses on Paul Bjelland’s creation and involvement in early regional associations and events, such as “Greatest of the Grape.” Mary Bjelland also recalls specific tasks that she was in charge of at...

This interview is with Marty Doerschlag of Flaneur Wines. In this interview, Marty talks about how he got into wine, what he was doing before he became interested in wine, and why he chose Oregon and Pinot Noir. He goes on to describe how he chose the locations he works with, what it was like starting his own label, and what he hopes people take away from Flaneur wines. Towards the end of the inte...

This interview is with Marty Clubb of L’Ecole No 41. The interview took place on July 14, 2014 and included topics such as the history of L’Ecole, Clubb’s working relationship with Norm McKibben and Gary Figgins, and the acquisition of Seven Hills Vineyard. Clubb discusses the history of L’Ecole and his father and mother-in law who started the winery in the early 1980s. He also discusses the relat...

This interview is with Mark Treick and Helen Avery of Cellar Door Wine Tours. In this interview, the couple discuss how they decided to go into the wine tour business, their formative years, trials, and successes that came with their business. They go on to speak about how their partnership works, the relationships they’ve forged, and their vision for their tour business. Towards the end of the in...

This interview is with Wayne Bailey, owner of Youngberg Hill. In this interview, Bailery talks about the history of Youngberg Hill, balancing family with the winery, and the marketing that goes into selling wine in Oregon. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Youngberg Hill on June 8, 2016.

This interview is with Mark Treick and Helen Avery of Cellar Door Wine Tours. In this interview, the couple discuss how they decided to go into the wine tour business, their formative years, trials, and successes that came with their business. They go on to speak about how their partnership works, the relationships they’ve forged, and their vision for their tour business. Towards the end of the in...

This interview is with Mark Chien, program coordinator at the Oregon Wine Research Institute at Oregon State University. In this interview, Mark discusses how he got into the wine industry, getting an education at UC Davis and learning about viticulture: “it was always about the vineyard.” He then goes on to talk about how he ended up in Oregon, and his initial impressions of the industry, and his...

This interview is with Margaux Wagenmann of Margaux and Co. In this interview, Margaux speaks about how she fell in wine and decided to enter the industry, her various travels, and her decision to start Margaux and Co. Further into the interview, she discusses her brand’s philosophy, her perspective on being a woman in a predominantly male-dominated industry, and what her vision/mission is for it....

This interview is with Marcus Johnson of FLO Brands, LLC. In this interview, Marcus talks about how he got into jazz, and how he developed a passion for playing the piano, leading him to making his first album and having a successful music career. He also discusses his education, and how that informed his work, particularly with FLO Brands. Marcus then goes on to discuss his role in the wine indus...

This interview is with Marc and Jean Stein of Inondé Wines. In this interview, Marc and Jenn share their journey to finding their passion for wine and eventually moving to Oregon and starting their own label. They speak about their experience in and out of the industry, why they chose Chardonnay and Syrah, and the various institutions they’ve been a part of along the way. Towards the end of the in...

This interview is with Maggie Bowman, step-daughter of the late Dick Troon and covers the personal life of Dick Troon, the founder of Troon Vineyard. Bowman recounts her early years at Troon Vineyard and life with Dick Troon and Bowman’s mother, Virginia. This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody at Troon Vineyard’s Carlton Tasting Room on November 8, 2013.

This interview is with Alfred (Mack) McCorquodale of McCorquodale Vineyard and covers topics such as the early wine industry history in the Umpqua Valley and McCorquodale’s involvement in the industry. McCorquodale describes early wine industry events, like “Greatest of the Grape,” and recounts stories of early winemakers in the Umpqua Valley. This interview was conducted with Rachael Woody at the...

This interview is with Lynne Chamberlain of Spofford Station. The interview took place on July 17, 2014 and included topics such as Chamberlain’s move from education to winemaking, her family roots in Walla Walla, and why she made the move from growing mint to growing grapes. Chamberlain discusses growing up in Walla Walla in a third-generation farming family and why she returned after leaving Wal...

This interview is with Elizabeth Chambers, owner of Elizabeth Chambers Cellar and Silvan Ridge Winery. In this interview, she talks about her 25 years in the industry, the start of Elizabeth Chambers Cellar, her love of her mother’s butterflies, and the future of the Oregon wine industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt and Stephanie Hofmann at Elizabeth Chambers Cellar on June 23, 20...

This interview is with Kevin Johnson and Beth Klingner, of Dion Vineyard. In this interview, the couple speak about their histories, how they chose the wine industry, and when they decided to start making wine. They go on to speak about various experiences in the industry, the relationships they have with other wineries, and their marketing philosophies. Towards the end of the interview, they spea...

This interview is with Ken Friedenreich, an author who has written about Oregon wine and its history. The interview includes how he got interested in wine, what it’s like to write about wine for a living, the effects that prohibition had on Oregon, and advice for people new to wine. This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody and Camille Weber at the Nicholson Library at Linfield College on Octo...

This interview is with Kelli Gregory of Adelsheim Winery. In this interview, Kelli takes us through her journey to finding wine and how she ended up at Adelsheim as the vineyard manager. She speaks about the education and support she received, what it’s like building relationships with other vineyards, her biggest challenges, and what it’s like to be a woman in this field. Towards the end of the i...

This interview is with Kate Payne Brown. In this interview, Kate discusses how she got into the wine industry and to Oregon, as well as her various experiences she’s gained that has aided in giving her the knowledge that she has today. Kate then talks about the responsibilities she has as a winemaker, how she works with other people doing similar jobs, and how she is still able to showcase her own...

This interview is with Justin, Taylor and Joe King of King Estate. In this interview, the brothers speak about why they chose the family business and how their passions and talents have forged their roles at King Estate. They then go on to talk about their various projects they’ve been a part of, such as the Oregon Solidarity Project. As the interview continues, they discuss the upcoming challenge...