The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Steve Vuylsteke of SakéOne. In this interview, Steve talks about growing up in the early Oregon wine industry and his transition to the saké industry. Steve dives into his early childhood and his parents' escapades with garage fruit winemaking. He goes on to talk about his parents' journey in creating Oak Knoll Winery and how this journey affected him.  Later in the intervie...

This interview is with Cara Pepper Day, of Andavi Solutions. In this interview, Cara talks about her journey in finding wine, and how she now finds herself in a job that combines alcohol and software.  Cara dives into growing up in Oregon and how she eventually found herself attending college at Linfield University. She goes on to talk about her jobs after graduating in 2000 and how she soon found...

This interview is with Robb Bell of Cathedral Ridge Winery. In this interview, Robb speaks about his career in marketing and how that led him into wine through connections with many of the early winemakers in California. After finding himself in Hood River, he talks about purchasing a vineyard and starting to learn about growing grapes and making wine. And he talks about the philosophy behind his...

This interview is with Mark Kronquist. In this interview, Mark talks about growing up in Oregon and his journey in the Oregon wine industry. He dives into growing up in Lake Oswego and finding his way to Linfield. He then shares about meeting Myron Redford and his many memories associated with his time spent helping Myron in his "double-wide" tasting room. He then talks about his life after Linfie...

This interview is with Felicity Carter of Drinks Insider. In this interview, Felicity shares about growing up around Europe and finding her way to Sydney, Australia. She goes on to talk about her life and journey in both media and wine.  Felicity dives into her path in becoming a journalist and how she eventually found wine. She shares about her time as a freelance writer and how she found herself...

This interview is with Sébastien Marquet of Sébastien Marquet Wines. In this interview, Sébastien talks about growing up in Burgundy, France and his journey to Oregon.  Sébastien dives into his childhood and how he found himself making his first wine at 16. He goes on to talk about his early career in France. He also shares how he found himself organizing wine sales for the French army for a time....

This interview is with Charles Hesson of Arborbrook Vineyards. In this interview, Charles talks about his path into the wine industry and finding Oregon.  Charles shares about growing up and spending time on his great grandparents’ farm outside of Dallas, Texas. He goes on to talk about the farm’s wild blackberry bushes and how wine really started to click when he connected the aromas of his great...

This interview is with Simon Lowry of Petit Monde Wine Merchants. In this interview, Simon talks about growing up around wine, how he found himself in the wine distribution industry, and where he hopes to see himself in the future.  Simon dives into growing up in France and how his parents' practice of enjoying a nice wine with a good meal shaped him. He shares about attending college in France an...

This interview is with Alexis Harrington of Amica Luna and Vitae Springs. In this interview, Alexis shares her winding path to becoming a winemaker and all she is looking forward to in the future with her different projects.   Alexis talks about growing up surrounded by those in the hospitality industry and how both these people and their experiences influenced her. She goes on to share about atte...

This interview is with Katie Sombat of Fancy Baby. In this interview, Katie shares about her journey in service, hospitality, management, and wine. She also dives into the many famous Portland restaurants she had the opportunity to work at and the many thoughts, feelings, and memories regarding both the places and the people she worked with.  Katie talks about her early life and the memories assoc...

This interview is with Kristy Wenz. In this interview, Kristy speaks about her path to finding wine and her journey once she entered the industry.  Kristy shares about her passion regarding stories and how her love for storytelling translates to her wine career. She goes on to share how she became hooked with wine early in life, but never sought out a career in the industry until later in her life...

This interview is with David DeLaitsch and Victoria Chavez of Spearhunter Wines. In this interview, David and Victoria talk about pursuing wine as their later career and finding their way to Oregon.  Victoria dives into growing up in Texas and her first career path related to chemical engineering. She goes on to talk about how she found the UC Davis wine masters program and how that was just the b...

This interview is with Rebecca Sweet of Buzz Cover Crop Seeds. In this interview, Rebecca shares about her path in creating her own cover crop business and becoming entwined with the Oregon wine industry.  Rebecca talks about growing up and always being interested in plants. She shares about managing a blueberry farm fresh out of college and how she later found her first vineyard management job. S...

This interview is with Mark Sturges. In this interview, Mark talks about his early life and introduction to wine, followed by a life-altering trip he took through Europe and Asia.  From there, Mark discusses his work selling wine with Henny-Hinsdale, as well as his work in organic farming and compost. He speaks of the people he's worked with and the growth he has seen in Oregon wine, specifically...

This interview is with Shea Guevara and Vince Kelsey of Maypop Wines. In this interview, Shea and Vince speak about their journey with wine and how they found themselves creating their own label, Maypop Wines.  Vince dives into growing up around wine and how the vines in his backyard shaped him. He shares about his time in college and the different experiences in the wine industry he has had. Shea...

This interview is with Jennifer Warner of Dagger Daisy Wines. In this interview, Jennifer speaks about her career working in law, including owning her own law-adjacent business. She talks about how her life brought her to Oregon, where she discovered and developed an enthusiasm for the wine industry. From there, Jennifer talks about the wild process of starting her own small wine brand and the suc...

This interview is with Mike Pasquarelli of White Rose Estate. In this interview, Mike speaks about becoming interested in wine while in college at Sonoma State, and starting to work in the industry after a stint in the Peace Corps. Mike talks about working in various avenues of wine, including production, sales, retail, and distribution. He then talks about traveling the world to do wine productio...

This interview is with Ken & Dana Pearlman of Pearlstad Vineyard. In this interview, Ken & Dana dive into their careers and journey with wine.  The couple shares how they fell in love with wine and dive into how they found themselves in Oregon owning a vineyard. They talk about entering the wine scene once they moved to San Jose, California and how they were hooked from there. Later in the...

This interview is with Brian Croser. In this interview, Brian speaks about his journey in finding a career in wine while growing up in Australia and his connections to the Oregon wine industry.  Brian talks about falling in love early with wine. He shares about how he found his decision to pursue a career in wine easy and made before he could even drink. He then dives into his academic journey reg...

This interview is with Page, Colin, Cal, and David Knudsen. In this interview, the Knudsen kids talk about their parents' journey in establishing Knudsen Vineyards and their own journeys with the brand.  The Knudsens share about their dad’s passion for all things Burgandy, France. They go on to talk about how this passion inspired the planting of Knudsen Vineyards. They then go on to talk about th...

This interview is with Miguel Marquez. In this interview, Miguel speaks about his journey to finding a career in the restaurant and beverage industry.  Miguel talks about growing up in Mexico and how his family and personal experiences shaped his professional life. He shares his passion for using wine and alcohol to spur critical thinking. He then dives into how his passions converged into an oppo...

This interview is with Elle Holcomb of L Wine Co and Björnson. In this interview, Elle talks about her journey to finding wine and Oregon.  Elle shares about growing up in Cleveland, Ohio and her dream of going wine tasting. She dives into how this dream paved her path and eventually came true during her college years. She goes on to talk about her career shift from business, to restaurants, to wi...

This interview is with Dick Aften. In this interview, Dick speaks about his journey in becoming involved with the Oregon wine industry and dives into some of the memorable people and experiences he had.  Dick talks about getting into wine in college and how his passion for wine spurred from his passion for music. He then goes on to talk about being drafted and the impact it had on him and his jour...

This interview is with Carl Thoma, the owner of Van Duzer Vineyards. In this interview, Carl talks about how he got into wine and his journey to Oregon.  Carl talks about growing up on a ranch on the border between Oklahoma and New Mexico. He shares about his agricultural passions and how he began his college journey pursuing this passion. He then goes on to talk about how his professional dreams...

This interview is with Andrew Minor and Cassie Salinas of Andrew Minor Wines and Vino to the People. In this interview, Cassie and Andrew talk about growing up in Oregon, meeting in college, and eventually working in the wine industry together.  Andrew and Cassie share each of their journeys to finding wine and touch on some of the great people and memories their time in the industry has brought....