The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Peter Ebbers of Stirling Wine Grapes. In this interview, Peter speaks his experience in the wine industry, specifically in the vineyard and the cellar, from places like Oregon to Virginia and even New Zealand.

Peter was first introduced to wine while studying abroad in Scotland, where colleagues invited him to a wine and cheese club. It was there that the curiosity and passion for wine started. After working as a house painter and a high school English teacher, he took the leap and moved from his home in Vermont to California to work harvest.

After a couple more harvest experiences, Peter studied at Lincoln University in New Zealand to better understand the farming behind vineyard work. Here, he learned how to make the most of the land, workforce, technology, capital, and “know-how.” Working in a vineyard shortly after helped to fill in that knowledge with practical experience.

With exposure to harvest in both the northern and southern hemispheres, Peter found his way back to Oregon wine country, where he appreciated that he could work in both the vineyard and the cellar. He speaks to his various wine jobs once settling in Oregon, how he as a team leader can affect work culture, and how the camaraderie of farmers benefits everyone.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in the Nicholson Library on July 8, 2025.

This interview is with Alex Altshuler of Demeus Wines. In this interview, Alex speaks about finding his path to wine in New Zealand, and then continuing his education and apprenticeship there and in Oregon. He speaks of his love for working nights and his offbeat approach to winemaking, particularly with his own brand Demeus.

Later, Alex speaks about the injury that took him out of the industry, what he's been working on since, and his thoughts on getting back into wine. He also dives into his music career and what might be next for that as well.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 9, 2025 at Alex's home in Rhodedendron.

This interview is with Andrew Head, Afton Towry, and Chris Graves of Apona Vienyards. In this interview, Andrew, Afton, and Chris speak about their wine paths and how they came to start Apona Vineyards.

Chris talks about his extensive winemaking experience and eventually coming to southern Oregon as a winemaker and instructor. Afton and Andrew talk about how they met and began their wine endeavor, and Afton tells of taking classes with Chris and eventually inviting him to join the team as the winemaker.

The trio also talk about the vineyard and the wines made so far, about the nearly completed winery/tasting room, and about what the future holds.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 2, 2025 at Apona Vineyards in Veneta.

This interview is with Dan Diephouse and Jeanne Feldkamp of Corollary Wines. We last spoke with Dan and Jeanne during the summer of 2020 after they had just released their brand, Corollary. In this interview, they briefly recap how they got into wine and started the brand, then they talk about what they have been up to since 2020.

After initially releasing their wines into the world, they focused on building a wine club starting with family and friends. They also showcased their wines at Winter's Hill, which doubles as their production space, and focused on educating guests about the importance of sparkling wine in the Willamette Valley.

The biggest change since our first interview was the purchase of the new vineyard site in Amity, recommended to them by Jessica Cortell. Originally a logging site, they bought it in 2022 and started prepping it for planting. They speak about the need for both a vineyard and a tasting room on the property, as well as the permaculture and sustainability initiatives they have been working towards.

Looking ahead to the end of July, they speak about their work in helping to start Method Oregon, an event focusing on Willamette Valley traditional method sparkling wines. They collaborated with Andy Lytle to create the event and Jim Bernau to host the event. They stress the significance of having both an educational component as well as the more traditional grand tasting, showcasing 22 producers and helping participants to view the Willamette Valley as a premier destination for sparkling wines.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Corollary Wines in Amity on July 7, 2025.

This interview is with Rob and Debbie Marr of Marr Cellars. In this interview, Rob and Debbie speak about their introduction to wine and their gradual entry into the Oregon wine industry. They speak about their careers outside of wine and of starting making wine in the garage.

Later they talk about coming to Oregon and starting their brand. Debbie also speaks about her acting career, and the pair discuss selling wine and what the future looks like.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 1, 2025 at the Marr's home in Sherwood.

This interview is with Lukas Papagiannis of BHN. In this interview, Lukas talks about his early involvement with wine and growing up in Australia. 

Lukas dives into his childhood and how he decided to pursue wine while at University in Australia. He shares about his family’s connection to having a vineyard and how this connection and the memories associated with family, vineyards, and wine likely influenced him. 

Later in the interview he talks about the different places he has worked and traveled to. He then dives into how he found himself working a harvest in the Willamette Valley and what made him decide to stay. He then goes on to talk about the current project he is working on with Marco Prete. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Wines of Kings in Portland on June 27, 2025.

This interview is with Sam Ekstrom-Welch, Rae-Ekstrom-Welch, and Kevin Geller. In this interview, Sam, Rae, and Kevin speak about their individual paths into the wine industry and how they came together to work at (and then own, along with Kevin's wife Olivia Schelly) Liner & Elsen wine shop.

Kevin got into wine through food while living in Madison, Wisc., and once he was hooked pursued it passionately. Once he came to Portland, he found his way to Liner & Elsen in the early 2000s. Sam first worked in wine at the Portland Airport before starting at L&E in the 2010s. And Rae worked first in distribution before she and Sam were married.

When the shop was available for purchase in 2022, the group worked together to figure out how to buy it, and then how to keep the important legacy while also helping it evolve to meet a new generation of wine drinkers. They talk about all of this, as well as what the future holds.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Liner & Elsen in Portland on June 30, 2025.

This interview is with Marco Prete of BHN and Wines of Kings. In this interview, Marco talks about growing up in Italy and how he eventually found himself living in the United States and making wine.  

Marco dives into growing up with wine at the table for meals and how a bottle was always shared amongst family alongside delicious food. He shares how this sparked his fascination and his early travels through Italy meeting different iconic wine makers. 

Later in the interview, Marco talks about moving to the United States and eventually finding Oregon. He then dives into his current projects related to botrytis, Riesling, and a whole new type of alcohol fusion that he is playing with. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Wines of Kings in Portland on June 27, 2025.

This interview is with John Faulkner of Evening Land. In this interview, John talks about his early fascination with winemaking and his journey to finding himself in the Oregon wine industry.  

John shares about growing up in California and his early curiosity regarding winemaking. He then dives into an impactful experience he had during his senior year at Berkley that solidified his passion for wine. He goes on to talk about working his first harvest after graduating college. 

Later in the interview, John shares about working in the California wine industry until his sabbatical in 2022. He then shares how he found himself in Oregon making wine and how he is excited for the coming vintages.  

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Seven Springs Vineyard in Salem on June 26, 2025.

This interview is with Jess Lyon of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. In this interview, Jess talks about his path to becoming a lawyer and his passion for all things agriculture, food, and beverage. 

Jess shares about growing up in rural Washington and how his upbringing influenced his career path. He then dives into how he found himself going to law school after he discovered that he enjoyed helping people, especially those in agriculture, solve problems.

Later in the interview, Jess talks about how he found himself becoming involved in the Oregon wine industry. He also shares about some of the important deals, mergers, and laws he has been a part of. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in Portland on June 25, 2025.