The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Patrick McElligott. In this interview, Patrick shares about his journey to wine and some of his many stories and memories from the industry. 

Patrick talks about growing up around agriculture and farming. He then shares how he found a love for learning while in college and how he soon discovered there is always something to learn with wine. 

Later in the interview he shares about his time working for Myron Redford and some of his favorite memories and adventures. He also talks about his connections to Chemeketa and some of the wine programs he has been a part of. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 2, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.

This interview is with Adam Rack of Revino Bottles. In this interview, Adam speaks about his early work in the wine industry and becoming interested in the idea of reusable wine containers while working at Coopers Hall in Portland. He then talks about meeting Keenan O'Hern and working with him to start Revino Bottles.

Adam talks about the milestones so far with Revino, including all the conversations with the industry and research to make sure Revino was working alongside the industry to make a product that would be useful and used. He then talks about what comes next, and what his boldest ambitions are for Revino.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 31, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.

This interview is with Adam Rack of Revino Bottles. In this interview, Adam speaks about his early work in the wine industry and becoming interested in the idea of reusable wine containers while working at Coopers Hall in Portland. He then talks about meeting Keenan O'Hern and working with him to start Revino Bottles.

Adam talks about the milestones so far with Revino, including all the conversations with the industry and research to make sure Revino was working alongside the industry to make a product that would be useful and used. He then talks about what comes next, and what his boldest ambitions are for Revino.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 31, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.

This interview is with Keenan O’Hern of Revino. In this interview, Keenan talks about his path to help bring a reusable bottle system to the United States. 

Keenan shares about growing up and how he split his time between Oregon and the Netherlands. He goes on to discuss how his time in the Netherlands influenced his environmental beliefs about bottle reusing. Before Keenan dives into all things Revino, he talks about his time at college and the different jobs he had before Revino. 

Later in the interview, Keenan shares about some of the challenges Revino and reusable wine bottles have faced since coming to the United States. He then goes on to talk about what the Revino name is meant to symbolize and some of his hopes for the company.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 31, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.

This interview is with Dave Parker of Benchmark Wine Group. In this interview, Dave speaks about moving to California to work in Silicon Valley, finding a passion for wine, and following it to purchasing a vineyard. From there he talks about becoming aware of Oregon wine, and coming to Oregon to buy a vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills.

Along the way, though, he had started Brentwood Wine Auctions and then Benchmark Wine Group, specializing in finding and brokering rare and collectible wines. He talks about growing that business, finding wines and customers, and some of the ways in which his business operates. He also talks about how the business is changing and what comes next.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 30, 2024 in Vancouver, Wash.

This interview is with Carl Formaker, the winemaker for Domaine Serene. In this interview, Carl talks about his journey to finding a passion and career in wine. 

Carl talks about growing up in California surrounded by vines. He shares about growing up around wine, but not viewing it as a career until later in life. Carl goes on to talk about his college days in California and studying to pursue a career in the medical field. 

Later in the interview, Carl shares how he found a passion for wine. He talks about initial harvests and how he became hooked on the wine industry and people involved in it. Carl then goes on to share how he found himself in Oregon making wine. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 29, 2024 at Domaine Serene Winery in Dayton.

This interview is with Steve Whiteside of Bella Vida 360. In this interview, Steve speaks about his early life and first career in orthotics and prosthetics. He talks about meeting Jim and Loie Maresh and being instantly captivated by the Oregon wine industry.

He then talks about embarking on his 25-year plan of buying property, installing a vineyard, building a tasting room, and starting a brand. He speaks about meeting winemakers and grapegrowers and becoming part of the wine community in the Dundee Hills.

Finally, he speaks about selling his vineyard in 2021 and starting Bella Vida 360 in Yamhill. He talks about the appeal of the space and his plans for tasting experiences and events at the top of the hill.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 29, 2024 at Bella Vida 360 in Yamhill.

This interview is with Erin Brooks. In this interview, Erin talks about finding a career in the wine industry that marries her passions for writing and wine. 

Erin talks about growing up in North Carolina and her first memory of accidently trying her mom’s white wine as a kid. She shares about her early passion for all things writing and how this passion pushed her to attend college in New Mexico. She goes on to talk about working in nice restaurants throughout college and how it was through this upscale dining scene that she was introduced to wine. 

Later in the interview, Erin shares about finding her current position at The Wine Advocate. She also talks about some of the changes she hopes to see in the industry and what she is looking ahead to personally. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 25, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.

This interview is with Julia Coney of Black Wine Professionals. In this interview, Julia speaks about coming to wine as her third career. She speaks about her work as a legal assistant and her first pivot as a beauty blogger. She then talks about her discovery of wine, and her increasing passion for it.

Her epiphany came when she realized wine wasn't designed for her to be part of the industry, and she immediately strove to change that. She talks about her work as a wine writer, a mentor, and a connector. She also speaks about her work with American Airlines and about her desire to make wine and wine pairings fun and approachable for everyone as a way to excite and entice new drinkers. Lastly, she talks about her connection to Oregon and her beliefs about the future of the Oregon wine industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 28, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.

This interview is with Steven Sinkler of Puffin Wines and The Wine Shack. In this interview, Steven shares about finding wine and how he came to own The Wine Shack and the Puffin Wines label. 

Steven talks about growing up in Green Bay and how he didn’t find wine until later in life. He shares about finding his passion for wine and how it spurred him to become part of the industry. He then discusses attending a three year wine program.

Later in the interview, Steven shares about finding The Wine Shack on Craig’s List. He also talks about taking over the Puffin Wines label. Before he leaves, Steven shares some of his hope for both his shop and label. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 24, 2024 at The Wine Shack in Cannon Beach.