Wine Crush Podcast NW

Fortuity Cellars | A Chance Meeting, a Dream & the Wines of Yakima Valley Sometimes the best things in life happen by chance, and for Lee and Emily Fergestrom, that couldn’t be more fitting! On this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, we’re continuing our Yakima Valley Road Trip with Fortuity Cellars, a family-owned boutique winery located in Wapato, Washington. The Fortuity story began with a chan...

Wine Crush Podcast | Yakima Valley Road Trip: Hightower Cellars From an old horse barn to exceptional Red Mountain wines, Hightower Cellars is a story of passion, perseverance and a shared love of winemaking. Our Wine Crush Podcast Yakima Valley Road Trip continues as we introduce you to Hightower Cellars, a family-owned Washington winery founded by husband-and-wife winemaking team Tim and Kelly H...

What happens when three college friends share a love of sparkling wine and a dream of doing something different? You get Tirriddis! On this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, we’re exploring the story behind Tirriddis, a sparkling wine producer in Prosser, Washington, that’s helping redefine what Washington wine can be. Founded in 2021 by Washington State University Viticulture and Enology graduates A...

Season 9 of Wine Crush Podcast is coming to a close, and we saved a couple of special guests for the finale! In our final regular episode of the season, Heidi sits down with two old friends: Thibaud Mandet of Clos Griotte and Bill Rumsey of Luciole Vineyard . This conversation is everything Wine Crush is about: great Oregon wine, the people behind the bottle, a connection to the land, creativity,...

Two women. Two very different paths into wine. One seriously good conversation. On this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, Heidi sits down with Jeanne Feldkamp, co-founder and winemaker at Corollary Wines, and Rachel Rose, winemaker and vineyard director at Bryn Mawr Vineyards , for a deep dive into sparkling wine, science, farming, creativity, and the ever-evolving story of Oregon wine. Jeanne and he...

Some wine stories begin with a bottle. This one begins with a family, an abandoned walnut orchard, and a leap of faith in the Eola Hills. On this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, Heidi sits down with Ben Casteel, second-generation winemaker, co-owner and director of Bethel Heights Vineyard, for a conversation about family, legacy, Oregon wine and the land that has shaped it all. Bethel Heights began...

This episode of Wine Crush Podcast takes us to one of Oregon wine country’s most iconic destinations, Soter Vineyards at Mineral Springs Ranch . Founded in 1997 by Tony and Michelle Soter, Soter’s story is deeply woven into the history of American wine. Before coming to Oregon, Tony built an impressive winemaking career in Napa Valley, including founding Etude and consulting for some of California...

In this episode of Wine Crush Podcast , we’re joined by two incredible Oregon wine stories that showcase the passion, innovation, and community that make the Willamette Valley one of the world’s premier wine regions. First, we sit down with the team from Fullerton Wines , a family-owned winery dedicated to crafting elegant, site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other cool-climate varietals. We e...

Some people make wine. Others shape an entire wine region. In this episode of Wine Crush Podcast , we sit down with Dai Crisp and Boone McCoy-Crisp of Lumos Wine Co. , a family whose fingerprints can be found across some of Oregon’s most celebrated vineyards. For more than three decades, Dai has been a pioneer of certified organic viticulture and has managed the legendary Temperance Hill Vineyard,...

This week’s Wine Crush Podcast takes us deep into the heart of Oregon wine country with two outstanding wineries: Dennison Cellars and Phelps Creek Vineyards. 🍷 Founded by winemaker Tim Wilson, Denison Cellars has earned a loyal following for producing elegant, small-lot wines that showcase the unique character of Oregon vineyards. Meanwhile, Phelps Creek Vineyards has become a Columbia Gorge ico...

This week on Wine Crush Podcast, we’re headed to the stunning Dundee Hills to visit Furioso Vineyards, where art, family, and world-class wine come together in spectacular fashion. Founded on a historic vineyard first planted in 1972, Furioso’s Dundee estate features 10 acres of mature vines perched on sun-drenched south-facing slopes. Their portfolio expanded with the addition of the Trovato Vine...

On this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, we explore two wineries redefining what Oregon wine can look and feel like through entirely different lenses. We first head to Balsall Creek, a family-owned winery nestled in the Chehalem Mountains AVA just north of the Dundee Hills. Founded by Jon and Lesli Owens, whose Oregon roots stretch back to the 1850 Oregon Trail era, Balsall Creek combines deep agric...

Season 9 kicks off with two standout Willamette Valley producers who are redefining what it means to build a wine brand with heart, grit, and a little creative edge. At Varnum Vintners , husband-and-wife team Taralyn and Cyler Varnum are crafting small-production wines that are as approachable as they are expressive. Focused on old-vine Riesling, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines, their philosophy i...

Season 9, Episode 1: Maypop Wine Co. & Wild Child Wines In the premiere of Season 9, we uncork two boundary-pushing forces redefining Oregon wine: Maypop Wine Co. and Wild Child Wines . Maypop Wine Co., founded by winemaking duo Shea Guevara and Vince Kelsey, is a love letter to the Willamette Valley’s untapped potential. With deep roots in generational winemaking, they’ve traded tradition for...

In this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, we sit down with two deeply respected figures in Oregon wine: James Cahill and Anthony King. Together, they share the winding journeys that brought them to the heart of the Willamette Valley and the experiences that shaped their winemaking philosophies. James Cahill of North Valley Vineyards brings decades of industry experience and a grounded perspective on...

Troon Winery isn’t just making wine—they’re stewarding the land. In this episode, we explore the philosophy and passion behind Troon Winery, where biodynamic farming, regenerative agriculture, and deep respect for nature shape every bottle. This conversation goes beyond tasting notes and into the why—why farming matters, why patience is essential, and why great wine starts long before grapes ever...

In this episode of the Wine Crush Podcast, we sit down with the team behind Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, one of Southern Oregon’s standout producers known for their high-elevation sites and refined, expressive wines. We explore the inspiration behind the brand, the unique characteristics of the Rogue Valley AVA, and how thoughtful farming and winemaking decisions shape their elegant portfolio....

In this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, we sit down with Joe of Sound & Vision Wines to uncover the story behind the label and the passion that fuels it. Joe shares his journey into winemaking, the inspiration behind Sound & Vision, and how staying true to both craft and creativity has shaped his approach in the vineyard and the cellar. We talk about taking risks, trusting your instincts, a...

In this week’s Road Trip Series episode, we sit down with the wonderful owners of Schultz Glory Oaks, a warm, inspiring couple who left the South to build a new life in Oregon’s breathtaking Applegate Valley. They share the story of their bold move across the country, the winding road that brought them to their dream property, and the heart behind the vineyard they’re creating. From the challenges...

Grit Cellars is more than a winery—it’s a mindset. In this episode, we sit down with the heart and hustle behind Grit Cellars to talk about building something meaningful from the ground up. From long days in the vineyard to the relentless determination it takes to turn grapes into a brand, this conversation dives deep into what “grit” really means in the wine world. We talk passion, perseverance,...

🎙️ Podcast Episode Out Now: The Cowboy Who Traded Cows for Grapevines 🤠🍇 Today’s episode features Cowboy Joe of Plaisance Wine — a true Southern Oregon original with a story you cannot make up. From working long days as a dairy farmer to boldly trading his cows for grapevines, Joe’s journey into winemaking is as authentic (and entertaining) as it gets. In this episode, Joe talks about: • How he...

A true family winery story. 🍇✨ In this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, we head to Southern Oregon to meet the passionate team behind Schmidt Family Vineyards — where family isn’t just part of the brand… it is the brand. From planting vines in the ground to crafting beautiful estate wines in the cellar, the Schmidt family shares how they built a winery rooted in love, resilience, and a deep connec...

The boys from Anchor Valley are shaking things up in the wine world — and we’re here for it! These guys bring a bold, rebellious edge to their brand with themed nights, killer music, and wines that speak for themselves. 🎶🔥 In this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, we dive into how they built Anchor Valley from passion and grit, the story behind their rock-n-roll vibe, and how they’re creating a who...

We’re hitting the road and heading south for our first-ever Southern Oregon Road Trip series! Our journey begins in the heart of the Applegate Valley with Rachel Martin of Red Lily Vineyards — a place as warm and inviting as the wines she creates. Rachel shares the story behind her family-owned winery, their passion for Tempranillo, and how their picturesque riverside property has become one of th...

🎙️ Wine Crush Podcast – Season Finale Release! 🍷✨ We’re closing out the regular season of Wine Crush with an episode that is truly rooted in history, family, and passion. This week, we feature White Rose Estate and Garibaldi Cellars — two wineries whose stories are as rich and layered as the wines they craft. White Rose Estate has built its legacy on precision, elegance, and a vision that spans...