The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Doug Roskelley of Tero Estates. In this interview, Roskelley discusses how he became a winemaker, the Walla Walla climate as it relates to agriculture, and the relationship Tero Estates has with the older wineries in the area. He also speaks about the dynamic of being a newer winery and his relationship to the more established winemakers in the area. He also covers the Walla...

This interview is with Donna Jean and Jim McDaniel, of McDaniel Vineyard. The first half of the interview focuses on how Donna Jean met Jim and their family life during the start of the business. The second half of the interview focuses on how they have been so successful with their marriage and advice for anyone looking to get into wine. This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody at the McDani...

This interview is with Donna Stoney of Stoney Wines. In this interview, Donna talks about how she decided to go into the wine industry after being distinguished and recognized for her hard work in social services working with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She then goes on to talk about deciding to make her own wine, meeting and working with Bertony Faustin, planning her...

This interview is with Dr. Donald Olson, owner of Torii Mor Winery in the Dundee Hills. Don talks about why he decided to buy the vineyard and eventually start a winery and where the name came from. He also talks about what makes excellent Pinot Noir and the future of the winery. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Torii Mor on August 7, 2017.

This interview is with Don Graves. In this interview, Graves discusses how he met Dr. Clore and Clore’s influence not only on Graves’s interest in growing wine grapes but also the growth of the wine industry in the Columbia Gorge. Graves also discusses dividing his time between working at Bonneville Dam and starting a vineyard. This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody at Graves’ home in Dalle...

This interview is with Don and Pam Klase, Linfield graduates and Owners and Winemaker at Dolio Winery & Vineyard in Battle Ground, Wash. They talk about the challenges of starting a winery, how their liberal arts education helped them in the wine industry and marketing a wine region near Portland. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Dolio Winery on June 20, 2017.

This interview is with Don and Carolyn Byard, of Brooks Winery. Don and Carolyn Byard were two of the original pioneers in the Oregon wine industry. Through hard work and determination, they created a successful vineyard and winery, Brooks Winery. This interview focuses on the Byards’ start in the business, family life, and what the future of the industry looks like. This interview was conducted b...

This interview is with Doc (James) Wilson, a Portland, Oregon culinary icon who worked as a sommelier at Jake’s Famous Crawfish for 32 years. Wilson discusses how making wine accessible to the public was key to the popularity of Oregon wines within the state and, eventually, around the globe. Wilson also talks about his involvement teaching classes and writing articles about wine, and he discusses...

This interview is with Dixie Huey, the proprietor of Trellis Growth Partners, a small, wine marketing business. In the interview, she talks about her journey into the wine industry, the challenges of marketing Oregon wine and how to build relationships in the industry. Dixie finishes up the interview talking about how marketing has changed in wine already and the future of Oregon wine. This interv...

This interview is with Denis Burger and Elaine McCall, owners of Yamhill Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Denis and Elaine discuss how they came into the wine industry and the various challenges they faced in being one of the earlier wineries in the McMinnville AVA. The couple discusses the future for Oregon wine, and ends with the advice that as long as one perseveres and stays committed to t...

This interview is with David and Jeanne Beck of Crawford Beck Vineyard. In this interview, the couple discuss how they got into wine after their previous careers as scientists, and how they ended up in Oregon in 2005. They go on to speak about the scientific transition in going to wine, their philosophy, and what their knowledge/experience was with Oregon wine initially. They then go on to speak a...

This interview is with David Baker, who has made multiple documentaries and books about the wine industry. David talks about creating the documentary American Wine Story and his latest book, Vintage. He also talks about his observations of the Oregon wine industry, how he crafts narratives around wine and upcoming projects. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at David Baker’s home in Corv...

This interview is with Darcey and Rick Small of Woodward Canyon Winery. In this interview, the couple discuss their self-taught approach, the cooperation among wineries in Walla Walla, and the growing problem of limited water rights in Washington. The Smalls also talk about how they taught themselves winemaking through observation, reading, and experience rather than learning through classical tra...

This interview is with Dan Warnshuis of Utopia Vineyards. In this interview, Dan speaks about how he got into the wine industry and eventually came to Oregon to start his label. He talks about why his land is so unique, what he hopes consumers get out of his wines, and what it’s like managing many roles within the vineyard. Towards the end of the interview, Dan reflects on changes he’s seen to the...

This interview is with Cristina Gonzales of Gonzales Wine Company. In this interview, she discusses how she got into wine originally because she wanted to travel and experience more— it was when she lived in Chilé and Argentina that she became very interested in wine. She then goes on to talk about the various places she’s traveled to, how she ended up in Oregon to originally follow the path of Pi...

This interview is with Corey Schuster of Jackalope Cellars. In this interview, Corey discusses how he got into wine after holding his previous job as an engineer, his first impressions of Oregon wine, and how he went about learning winemaking. He takes us through his wine journey— the various jobs he’s held in the industry, the process of starting his own label, and the learning curve that came wi...

This interview is with Colin Shirek of Alto Cirrus. In this interview, Colin describes his wine journey up until present day– his various experiences/travels, and influencers that aided him along the way. He goes on to talk about what it’s like working at Day and with various other producers, the story behind Alto Cirrus and the meaning behind its name. Colin goes on to speak about his winemaking...

This interview is with Cliff and Allison Anderson, of Anderson Family Vineyard. In this interview, the couple discuss how they got into wine and moving to Oregon. Cliff speaks on his prior work in psychology, marketing and politics, and how that led to his career in making wine. The couple go on to discuss how they found their land, learned winemaking, and developed their label into what it is tod...

This interview is with Charles (Chuck) and Della Henderson. Topics include the history of wine in Hood River, Chuck Henderson’s role in the Oregon wine industry, and the dynamic between Oregon and Washington wineries. In the interview, the Hendersons discuss how Chuck got started in the wine industry, as well as his partnership with Dr. Walter Clore. Chuck also talks about the early winemakers in...

This interview is with Cheryl Francis, Sam Tannahill, Deb Hatcher, and Bill Hatcher, of A to Z Wineworks and REX HILL. Cheryl Francis, Sam Tannahill, Deb Hatcher, and Bill Hatcher are the founders of A to Z Wineworks and co-owners (with several partners, including San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) of REX HILL Vineyards and Winery. In the interview, the group discusses a wide range of topics,...

This interview is with Charlie Garrell of Oregon Wine Guides. In this interview, Charlie talks about how he got into the wine business, fueled by a passion of intellectual pursuit and a love for wine. He also speaks about his work within the industry and what led him to creating and starting his own tour guide business, talking about what makes his job unique, how he tailors his tours to his clien...

This interview is with Carl and Tara McKnight, of St. Josef’s Winery and Pheasant Run. In this interview, the couple discuss the question “why wine,” as Tara was born into it, and Carl was married into it. They then discuss how they developed their roles at St. Josef’s Winery, and the challenges of having their own label. They also talk about the Cascade Foothills and show people the “gems” of the...

This interview is with Carl Giavanti, owner of Carl Giavanti Consulting. During this interview, Carl talks about his roundabout way of entering the wine industry and how he gained clients in the Willamette Valley. He discusses the challenges of publicizing small, family-owned wineries in Oregon and the future of the industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield College in the...

This interview is with Brianne Day of Day Wines. In this interview, Brianne discusses how she got into the wine industry, her various travels and jobs, and how she ended up starting her own label. Brianne then goes on to speak about her winemaking philosophy, and the various varietals she works with. Towards the end of the interview, Brianne talks about where Day Wines is heading in the future, an...

This interview is with Briana Seeley of Adelsheim Vineyard. In this interview, Briana speaks about how she came into the wine industry after working in the food and beverage industry, her various travels around the world, and how she found her love for wine. She goes on to speak about how she ended up at Adelsheim as VP of consumer sales, the learning curve that came with her job, and how marketin...