The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Clive Pursehouse of Decanter. In this interview, Clive dives into his career and journey from higher education to wine journalism. 

Clive discusses his upbringing and the pursuit of a degree in philosophy, which led him to a career in higher education. He then delves into his 18-year career in higher education, highlighting some of his proudest moments.

Later in the interview, Clive shares about his relationship with wine and his evolving passion for wine blogging. He goes on to talk about how this blogging eventually turned into an opportunity at Decanter and what his current role looks like. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on May 14, 2025.

This interview is with Rose Ballantine of Alexana Estate. In this interview, Rose talks about her path in finding wine and pursuing it as a career.

Rose dives into her time growing up in Napa Valley, California, and all the happy accidents that led her to wine. She goes on to share her college experience at UC Davis and the different memories she has from her college days.

Later in the interview, Rose goes on to talk about coming to Oregon and how she found a family in the Oregon wine industry. Rose also shares her excitement regarding her new position with the Revavana portfolio. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Alexana Estate in Newberg on May 5, 2025.

This interview is with Jordan Hostetter of Open Soul Wines. In this interview, Jordan speaks about discovering a love of hospitality at a young age and spending a career trying to curate good experiences for guests and customers.

After moving to the east coast pursuing a music career, Jordan found himself working on the White House advance team, supporting events for a variety of politicians beginning with First Lady Laura Bush. He describes the adrenaline rush and excitement of working on events like these and shares stories from this part of his life.

Seeking a change in career, he talks about enrolling at Walla Walla Community College and studying enology, followed by working at a variety of wineries in the Walla Walla area. Finally, he talks about the idea of starting Open Soul - the ethos, logistics, and planning of a new wine brand, as well as how it has gone so far.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Boundary Social Club in Portland on April 23, 2025.

This interview is with Layne Witherell. In this interview, Layne shares his journey from growing up in Los Angeles during the 60s to retiring in Portland, Maine as a foodie. He talks about his education, jobs, hobbies, and everything in between.

Layne dives into his early life in Los Angeles, California and how he eventually found himself serving in the U.S. Navy. He then talks about going to college and finding wine. Layne goes on to share about living in Oregon and his time and memories associated with selling the wines of the early wine pioneers of Oregon.

Later in the interview, Layne goes on to talk about moving to Virginia and selling Oregon wine on the East Coast. He then shares about writing his own book, Wine Maniacs, and the passions he has found with retirement.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on April 16, 2025.

This interview is with Gisela Kreglinger. In this interview, Gisela talks about her relationship with wine and her studies regarding spirituality and wine.

Gisela dives into growing up on a family winery in Germany. She shares how this time shaped her view of wine and food. She goes on to talk about her studies abroad and how she eventually found herself in North America teaching. 

Later in the interview, Gisela shares about her endeavors in writing books related to spirituality and wine consumption. She then talks about her newest project with Randy Frazee and her future hopes of publishing a children’s book. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on April 16, 2025.

This interview is with Simon Davies of A&B Vintners. In this interview, Simon shares about his journey in getting involved with the wine industry in London and how he eventually became involved with buying and distributing Oregon wine in the UK.

Simon talks about growing up in a small town in the country and how he found his way to London. He shares about falling in love with wine while working in a wine shop and how his interest transpired into an opportunity with the Fine and Rare Wines company. He then shares about his career transition from Fine and Rare Wines to A&B Vintners. 

Simon goes on to share about his first impressions of the Oregon wine industry and his views regarding the future of the wine industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on April 9, 2025.

This interview is with Ken Brown. In this interview, Ken shares about his career as an extension agent of Oregon State University and how he eventually found himself helping the winemakers of Oregon.

Ken talks about his early life and growing up in Oregon. He shares about joining the Navy for 5 years and then his time spent at Oregon State University. He goes on to talk about his different jobs and how he stumbled into helping the early icons of the Oregon wine industry. 

Ken goes on to share about his involvement regarding Phylloxera and fruit set. He also dives into his travels to New Zealand where he shared some Oregon wine. Later in the interview, Ken talks about his family and what he is proudest of.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on March 31, 2025 at the Chemeketa Community College Eola Campus in west Salem.

This interview is with Savannah Mills, of Brick House Vineyards. In this interview, Savannah talks about how she ended up in the Oregon wine industry after growing up in the south and having a corporate career.

Savannah dives into growing up in the south and her early travels to Oregon to visit family. She shares about her decision to attend college in Colorado and how she found a corporate job after she obtained her degree. She then goes on to talk about how she decided to shift her life to wine and work her first harvest at Brick House in 2013. 

Savannah goes on to talk about her journey in working at Brick House and the different roles she has held. She then dives into what it has been like to be an assistant winemaker to her uncle and then be promoted to the winemaker. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Brickhouse in Newberg on March 26, 2025.

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 interview Steve shares about his involvement in helping to market some of the early iconic Oregon wines, like those of Erath. He then talks about his transition from wine to saké and how he faced the uphill battle with educating the early sake consumers.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on March 24, 2025 at the SakéOne office in Beaverton.

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 herself in the wine industry after working in catering.

Later in the interview, Cara shares some of her many adventures and memories from being in the Oregon wine industry. She then dives into the time she spent consulting before she pursued a career in the technology industry. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on March 12, 2025.