The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Alison Sokol Blosser, the Co-President and second-generation owner of Sokol Blosser Winery. In this interview, she discusses growing up in the Oregon wine industry and discovering her passion for wine. Alison also talks about working with her brother, Alex, as Co-Presidents and her hopes for the future of the winery. This interview was conducted by Stephanie Hofmann at Sokol...

This interview is with Alex Sokol Blosser of Sokol Blosser Winery. In this interview, Alex talks about how he was born into the wine industry as a second generation family member, and describes how he came to develop a passion for wine making. He realized that he had to do something that meant something to him, and discusses his decision to come back and work for the family business. Alex later go...

This interview is with Juan Pablo “JP” Valot, who is the winemaker at Silvan Ridge Winery. In the interview, he talked about is beginnings in wine while growing up inArgentina, his first experience with Oregon wine, his passion of teaching other people about wine and the future of Oregon wine as a whole. This interview was on July 19th, 2016 by Rachael Woody at Nicholson Library at Linfield Colleg...

This interview is with Rollin and Corby Soles, owners of ROCO Winery. In this interview, the couple discusses how they found themselves in the wine industry. Rollin talks about the various places he worked and how he traveled around the world working in the wine industry, and later settling down permanently to the Willamette Valley. The couple discusses why they chose to make sparkling wine, chard...

This interview is with Jarod Sleet, the Assistant Winemaker at ROCO Winery in Newberg, Oregon. During this interview, Jarod talks about how food led him to a career in wine, his first harvest and his passion for sparkling wine. He also discusses his involvement in the Red, White and Black Documentary. This interview was conducted by Stephanie Hofmann at ROCO Winery on July 16th, 2018.

This interview is with Paul Hart, one of the original owners of Rex Hill Winery. In the interview, Hart talks about how he got into the wine industry, moving to the Willamette Valley, creating Rex Hill out of nothing, and what he’s been doing since leaving the industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Nicholson Library at Linfield College on May 18, 2016.

This interview is with Leigh Bartholomew, the current Director of Viticulture at Results Partners. In this interview, Leigh talks about her start in the industry, working in the vineyard and her personal label. Leigh also discusses the future of the Oregon wine industry and changes in vineyard management over the years. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on April 25, 2017 at Linfield Col...

This interview is with Remy Drabkin, the owner of Remy Wines in McMinnville, Oregon. In this interview, she talks about growing up in the wine industry, learning to make wine from the pioneers and Italian varietals. At the end, Remy also discusses being a part of the minority in the wine industry, owning a business in a small town and the future of the winery. This interview was conducted by Rich...

This interview is with Scott and Annie Shull of Raptor Ridge Winery. In this interview, the couple talk about how they came into the wine industry: “it sort of chose me, or chose us.” They initially had no intention of getting into the production side of the industry, but their passion and enthusiasm led the way. Scott talks about how they ended up in Oregon, and their initial impressions of the O...

This interview is with Tad Seestedt, owner of Ransom Wine Co & Distillery in McMinnville, Oregon. During this interview, Tad discusses his passion for crafting his products and why he decided to pursue both hard liquor and wine. Tad talks about the future of his winery and Oregon wine industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Ransom Wine Co & Distillery on March 30, 2018.

This interview is with Rob and Maria Stuart, the owners of R.Stuart & Co. Winery. Maria talks about her initial attraction to the wine industry because of its food component, while Rob discusses how wine is a common ground for friendships and community to form. The Stuarts’ speak on their dynamic partnership and connection to Linfield College through IPNC. This interview was conducted by Rich...

This interview is with Stirling Fox, owner of Mad Violets Wine Co. In this interview, Stirling discusses how he got into wine, found his place in the Oregon Wine industry, as well as his education at OSU. He talks about the various places he worked, as well as the difficulties in dealing with harvests. Stirling then goes on to discusses his “stick with it” attitude that comes with his job of viney...

This interview is with Luisa Ponzi, winemaker and second generation owner at Ponzi Vineyards. Luisa discusses growing up in the family business, leaving then finding her way back to wine and eventually taking on the role as winemaker from her father. She also talks about the rapid growth of the winery and advice for someone wanting to join the industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt...

Originally having nothing to do with viticulture or enology, Dick and Nancy Ponzi were just working class citizens of Southern California. Their path to wine began to unfold one day when Dick decided to revive his family tradition of home winemaking. Their interest grew and they moved to Oregon where they established their vineyard in 1970, and produced their first vintage in 1974. In this intervi...

This interview is with Dai Crisp of Lumos. In this interview, Dai discusses what got him into viticulture, how he learned about growing grapes, and the early challenges that he faced in doing so. He also talks about his early decision to farm organically and the difficulties in that decision, how he manages his relationships within the wine industry, and the idea behind Lumos. Towards the ending o...

This interview is with Anna Maria Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards. In this interview, Maria talks about how she was born into the wine industry with visionary parents and how she is so grateful to be a part of the industry. She speaks about her past— how Ponzi has evolved into what it is today— reflecting on her childhood memories of long hours in the dirt and rain. She then goes on to explain how she fo...

This interview is with Jerry Marshall of Oswego Hills Vineyard and Winery. In this interview, Jerry talks about how he got into wine after originally being a pilot. He always admired the property, and his love for agriculture grew, so it was only natural that Oswego Hills Vineyard was created. Jerry speaks about how he got the property, his education at Chemeketa, and the process of learning the i...

This interview is with Marjorie Vuylsteke. Topics included what it was like to be one of the early Oregon wine industry pioneers and Vuylsteke’s role in developing outreach and educational events for the winery. In the mid-1960s, amid a busy household with six children, a hobby of canning transitioned into homemade winemaking. After receiving accolades from family and friends for their berry wines...

This interview is with Laurent Montalieu, owner of NW Wine Company, Selena Estates and Westmount wines. He talks about how he came to the United State to make wine, starting each of his wineries and what makes them all special. Laurent also discusses the difficulties of selling wine once it’s made and the future of the Oregon wine industry. This interview was conducted by Stephanie Hofmann at NW W...

This interview is with Boyd Teegarden of Natalie’s Estate Winery. In this interview, Boyd discusses how he got into wine through the sales side of the industry. He then speaks about the various places he’s worked at, and how he ended up in Oregon. Boyd then goes on to discuss Natalie’s Estate Winery and the land that its on—as well as some of the difficulties in starting it. Towards the ending of...

This interview is with Mike and Robin Murto, owners of Murto Vineyard. In this interview, Mike and Robin discuss why they chose to grow grapes, and the difficulties in taking care of the land alongside their day jobs. Mike and Robin’s unique trait is that they do the work themselves; making their grapes one of a kind. The couple discusses the challenges seen within the wine industry, as well as th...

This interview is with Mo Ayoub, founder and winemaker at Ayoub Wines. Mo talks about moving to the United States from Lebanon and after a career as an engineer, he went to Oregon to become a winemaker. He talks about creating a quality product, the uniqueness of his terroir and the future. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Ayoub Winery on April 4, 2017.

This interview is with Allen and Jill Methven of Methven Family Vineyards. In this interview, the couple discuss how they got into the Oregon Wine Industry, as well as the challenges that came with planting a vineyard and picking a property. They also talk about what the most important part of the hospitality side of their business is, how they chose what they wanted to plant, the uniqueness of th...

This interview is with Thomas Savre of Lingua Franca. In this interview, Thomas describes how he got into wine from a very young age, and how he is connected to Burgundy culturally, his education in learning wine, and his decision to go to America after deciding not to go to medical school. He then goes on to discuss his initial impressions of the Oregon wine industry, his goal as a winemaker, and...

This interview is with Kelly Kidneigh of Mad Violets Wine Co. In this interview, Kelly talks about how she started out in acting and made her way to developing a passion for wine. After moving from California to Oregon, she talks about the various places she worked and gained experience from, her decision to get an education at OSU, and how she got to where she is today, making wine for the “most...