The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Randall Coats of Wine4dappl. In this interview, Randall talks about his path through the wine industry and how he found his way to Oregon.

Randall talks about growing up in Detroit and how he found his first opportunity with wine with the help of his grandmother. He goes on to discuss his wine related travels to Norway and eventually California.

Later in the interview, Randall reflects on his entry into the industry and what he wants to build for those who wish to follow a similar path. He also talks about his future plans and hopes regarding his own wine label. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Laurelhurst Park in Portland on July 24 and August 5, 2025.

This interview is with William Moriarty of Lingua Franca. In this interview, William discusses his upbringing on the East Coast and his journey to the West.

William shares about growing up in Boston and his travels during college. He delves into discovering a passion for wine through its connection to hospitality and the French language. He then goes on to talk about his time spent in France and the many impacts and memories he took away from his time there.

Later in the interview, William shares about his move to Oregon. He goes on to share about his hopes for the valley and himself.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Lingua Franca in Hopewell on July 23, 2025.

This interview is with Vincent Rolleri of Durant Vineyards. In this interview, Vincent talks about growing up in Oregon and how wine started as an early idea in his life. 

Vincent shares about his childhood and the different influences his family and heritage had on both his passions and career choices. He dives into his entry into the Oregon wine industry and the many mentors and memories he has regarding his harvests. 

Later in the interview, Vincent talks about how he came to find himself at Durant. He then shares about his current role and what he aspires to do in the future. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Durant Vineyards in Dayton on July 22, 2025.

This interview is with Krista Lauer of Bryn Mawr Vineyards. In this interview, Krista shares her journey from pursuing a career in the art industry to her current role at her family’s winery. 

Krista discusses her upbringing and how her parents' passion for wine influenced her. She goes on to share about attaining her undergrad from Willamette University and then her decision to move to Colorado for a graduate program. 

Later in the interview, Krista shares about her journey back to Oregon and finding a place at Bryn Mawr. Krista then dives into the many projects she is working on and is excited to roll out. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Bryn Mawr Vineyards in Salem on July 21, 2025.

This interview is with David Lauer of Bryn Mawr Vineyards. In this interview, David talks about his relationship with wine and the different dynamics of his family’s business.

David shares about growing up in San Diego and his first impressions of Oregon wine when his parents bought Bryn Mawr Vineyards. He goes on to talk about working his first harvest at Bryn Mawr and how he truly found a passion for the vines and cellar work. 

Later in the interview, David talks about being part of his family’s business. He then dives into what his current role is and what his hopes for both Oregon and himself are for the future. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Bryn Mawr Vineyards in Salem on July 21, 2025.

This interview is with Junichi Fujita of Junichi Fujita Wines. In this interview, Junichi talks about his passion for wine and the wine journey he is embarking on.

Junichi shares about growing up and his first career that was not in wine. He then goes on to talk about attending UC Davis and how the people he met and education he received shaped his wine journey. 

Later in the interview, Junichi talks about the different harvests he worked and how he was inspired by the concept of using his own hands to tend to a vineyard. Junichi then shares about his process in finding and planting his own vineyard. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Junichi’s home in McMinnville on July 15, 2025.

This interview is with Lucia Lemma Walker of Résonance. In this interview, Lucia talks about being raised around the Oregon wine Industry and her own path through the industry.

Lucia shares about growing up around her father’s company, Lemma Wine Company. She then dives into the many lessons she learned from her parents and siblings. She goes on to talk about her own journey through the Oregon wine industry. 

Later in the interview, Lucia shares about her different roles in the Oregon wine industry and how she came to find her current position. Lucia also leaves us with some of her hopes for both the industry and her own future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Lucia’s home in Gaston on July 17, 2025.

This interview is with Joe Dobbes of Iterum Wines. In this interview, Joe talks about his early career in the Oregon wine industry and how he now spends his days.

Joe dives into his journey with wine and how his passion was solidified with a harvest spent in Germany. He goes on to talk about his early wine career in Oregon and how his entrepreneurial spirit led him to create different businesses and brands.

Later in the interview, Joe reflects on the forty years he has spent in the Oregon wine industry. He talks about things he learned and his hopes for the future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Orchard House Estate in Salem on July 14, 2025.

This interview is with Jared Coon of Résonance Vineyard. In this interview, Jared speaks about transitioning from chemical engineering to wine studies at Washington State University after watching A Good Year with Russell Crowe. After his initial interest in the science and chemistry behind winemaking, a New Zealand Syrah in 2010 opened his eyes to a passion in wine itself.

During school, Jared spent a semester abroad at Lincoln University, where he saw a more complete “grape to bottle” experience of winemaking. His first wine job after college was at 12th & Maple in Dundee, after which he returned to Australia for a harvest in the southern hemisphere.

After an additional harvest in California, he set his sights on New Zealand. Here, he worked at two different wineries, extending his working visa to stay for several years, and meeting his future wife in the process. Once again, he added more hands-on experience to his rapidly increasing wine knowledge.

In 2019, Jared and his wife moved back to the States to work in Oregon wineries and start a family. During this time, he worked for Willamette Cross Flow, Jackson Family Wines, Failla Oregon, and Yamhill Valley Vineyards before eventually finding a position at Résonance, where he currently works.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Résonance in Carlton on July 10, 2025.

This interview is with Sandy Thompson of Mt. Tabor Fine Wines. In this interview, Sandy speaks about his career in the music industry and the many roles he held working with radio stations and record companies. He speaks about his growing passion for wine, and building a personal collection.

Later, he speaks about opening Mt. Tabor Fine Wines in Portland as his second career, and about building a wine inventory and customer base. He speaks about Oregon wine and its growth and talks about some of his favorite memories from working in the industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 10, 2025 at the Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville.