The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

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 beginning of her wine journey. David shares about growing up in Wisconsin and how he had limited exposure to wine growing up. He goes on to talk about traveling to Spain in his early twenties and finding a wine masters program abroad. 

Later in the interview, the couple dives into meeting each other, moving to Oregon, and starting their own label, Spearhunter Wines. David and Victoria also share some things they are looking forward to in the future. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Fullerton Wines tasting room in Corvallis on January 28, 2025.

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. She then dives into her involvement with the Oregon wine industry and her time with LIVE. 

Later in the interview, Rebecca shares about her passion for cover crops and her journey to create her own business, Buzz Cover Crop Seeds. She goes on to talk about some of her proudest accomplishments and what she hopes for in the future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on January 27, 2025.

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 in viticulture and organic farming. And he reflects on some of his favorite memories surrounding his time in Oregon wine.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on November 13, 2024.

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 also dives into her childhood and how she grew up making house sparkling wine with her dad. She goes on to talk about her own journey in the wine industry and how she found herself at Furioso. 

The couple also shares about their jam-packed 2024, where they got married, bought property, and really started to dive into their label Maypop Wines. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Abbott Claim Winery in Carlton on January 25, 2025.

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 successes and challenges so far. She also looks ahead to the future for herself and the Oregon wine industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on January 23, 2025.

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 production, before coming to Oregon and meeting his now-wife while interning at Bergstrom Wines. And he talks about how he came to work at White Rose, how it's gone so far, and what's next.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at White Rose Estate in Dayton on January 22, 2025.

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 interview, the couple talks about their time in the Half Moon Bay Pinot Mafia. They share how this tasting group influenced them and their decisions regarding Oregon and their vineyard. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Pearlstad Vineyard in Rickreall on October 17, 2024.

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 regarding wine and his path to making wine.

Later in the interview, Brian talks about his time in California, where he pursued a Master’s Degree at UC Davis. He then goes on to talk about his later involvement in starting Argyle and becoming involved with the Oregon wine industry. He also speaks about the connections he forged throughout his career and life.  

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on October 15, 2024 via Zoom.

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 the different business partnerships that the Knudsen label has had over the years and the resulting growth opportunities.

Later in the interview, the Knudsen children talk about their own journeys and how they got to where they are now. They also share what they find most enriching about the Knudsen brand. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on September 20, 2024 at Knudsen Vineyards in Dundee.

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 opportunity at República in Portland.  

Later in the interview, Miguel talks about his different roles from being an educator in AHIVOY to dreaming up the best food and beverage pairings at República. He also shares some of his hopes for his future and the future of Oregon wine. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on September 19, 2024 at República in Portland.