This interview is with Maxine Braune-Williams & Joe Williams of DAnu Wines. In this interview, the couple discusses how hospitality got them in the wine industry.

Joe talks about starting in restaurants at 14 years old. He has work every job imaginable within a restaurant, even owning his own at one point. After 30 years in the restaurant business, Joe decided to dip his toe into wine with the goal of creating his own brand. Maxine went to school at Penn State for restaurant management and did just that. She even worked in Yellowstone National Park and learned how to work with many different people.

Joe discusses opening up the tasting room and bringing Maxine along. Joe started his label in 2011 and opened a tasting room in 2017. In 2019, the two started talking after meeting in the 90s and started a long-distance relationship until 2020 when Maxine moved with Joe and started helping manage the DAnu tasting room. The couple explains that they were able to survive COVID-19 because of the Hillsboro community. Now, they continue to run their small-scale tasting room.

Later in the interview, the two talk about the future of the Oregon wine industry and what it needs to survive. They believe that there needs to be “the small guy” in the industry because the Oregon wine industry is about trying new things. They don’t want to loose the Oregon identity by the market being overrun by big corporations. For themselves, they plan on maintaining their role in the community and never loosing their passion for wine.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at DAnu Wines in Hillsboro on July 24, 2026.

This interview is with Jo Spencer of Roth’s Fresh Markets. In this interview, Jo discusses how she views the relationships between wine and retail consumers.

Jo talks about how she started drinking wine and created a brand. When Jo and her husband first met, they would drive around Oregon tasting different wines. Her husband’s mother had made fruit wines growing up, and he wanted to make some himself. After the two took wine courses at Chemeketa, they decided to open a winery in 2002 with their brand Mia Sonatina Cellars, eventually opening a tasting room in 2006 in Amity.

Jo discusses how she got into being a wine steward. After her husband had passed, Jo could no longer keep their business open and decided to shift gears in her career. She wanted to stay in the wine industry and the only role that appealed to her was being a wine steward. Jo remembered that Roth’s had wine steward positions because she used to sell her wine to them. After being trained at different stores, Jo took the permanent position of wine steward at the West Salem store.

Later in the interview, Jo talks about selling in the store and the future of the wine industry. Jo has learned to ask the right questions to ensure her customers are getting exactly what they are looking for. Jo has noticed that younger customers are leaning more towards Asian products compared to European wines. Jo believes that the industry should listen to their younger customers to learn what products they are looking for.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Roth’s Fresh Market in West Salem on July 22, 2026.

This interview is with David, Briana, John (Soren), and Lauren Rasmussen of Kristin Hill Winery. In this interview, the family talks about the history of Kristin Hill and how they joined three brands under the same roof.

David and Briana talk about their introductions to wine. David built pubs in the 80s and started drinking wine. His friend’s dad started making wine so he worked as an intern for him. After retiring, David decided to start making his own wine. Briana studied abroad in Europe and was able to taste a lot of wines. After returning to the U.S. and finding she had an expensive palate, she decided to get into the wine industry. Soren was born into the industry, doing work for his father while growing up, until he decided that wine was a passion for him as well, and later, he brought his wife, Lauren, into the mix.

The group discusses the history of Kristin Hill and how they renovated the property. In the 80s, the Aberg family purchased Kristin Hill and started pursuing their dream of owning and operating a winery. After they decided to let the property go, along with their winery, the property sat for many years. Then in 2017, the Rasmussen family decided to purchase the property to join their brands together at the same location. While they did a lot of renovations, the family wanted to keep the legacy of Kristin Hill alive, keeping the name and selling their wines in the tasting room.

Later in the interview, the family talks about running their brands and tasting rooms before purchasing the Kristin Hill property. The family lived in Newberg, but had tasting rooms in Forest Grove. They explained that they would often take two or three trips a day to get everything done for their brands while also balancing Soren’s wrestling schedule. They claim that ever since purchasing the property, their quality of life has improved immensely. Now, the family enjoys working together and creating their own legacy alongside the Kristin Hill legacy.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Kristin Hill Winery in Amity on July 21, 2026.

This interview is with Colin Eddy of NW Wine Company. In this interview, Colin talks about his growth within the industry and the growth of NW Wine Company.

Colin talks about growing up in Texas and working in restaurants at an early age. When he transitioned to a big steak house, his wine journey began. This restaurant offered over 100 wines by the glass and were looking for someone to manage their wine program. Colin stepped up and got to taste a plethora of wines, even traveling around the world to taste more. When Colin realized he couldn’t stay in restaurants forever, he reached out to wine reps he had worked with to switch careers. Eventually, Colin was asked to come to Oregon to work at Penner-Ash Wine Cellars until it was sold to Jackson Family Wines.

James discusses his next move after losing work at Penner-Ash. Colin had known Laurent Montalieu from being at Penner-Ash and was hired at NW Wine Company through recommendations. In the 10 years he has worked with the company, they have doubled in vineyard acreage and expanded in number of employees as well. Starting in sales, Colin wanted to lead. When the company hired international sales employees, Colin rose to Senior VP of Sales. Now, he also creates his own wine at NW named after his son, Daniel Ford.

Later in the interview, Colin talks about his other involvements in the Oregon wine industry. Colin has been largely involved in Oregon Pinot Camp serving as the treasurer, Vice Chair, and eventually Chair. He truly believes in the program and cannot wait to act as a mentor to future members. He was also offered a spot of the board of directors and fulfills in the role with great honor.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at NW Wine Company in Dundee on July 21, 2026.

This interview is with James Buzo Tipton of Fullerton Wines. In this interview, James discusses joining the wine industry in California and transitioning into the Oregon wine industry.

James talks about growing up in Portland with a family that was interested in craft beer and brewing. After moving to California, James started working for his friend’s family’s wine distribution company. Eventually, he transitioned into different roles in tasting rooms and as a cellar hand. When he moved back to Oregon to be closer to family, he found Fullerton and started as a cellar hand in 2018.

James discusses his growth within Fullerton and his style as a winemaker. Starting as a cellar hand, James kept taking on more responsibilities as he did more harvests with Fullerton. Eventually, he was given the title of assistant winemaker. James describes his winemaking style as light-handed. He doesn’t like to intervene with what makes a vintage unique. In the future, James wants to make his own wine, even foraging his own fruit.

Later in the interview, James talks about the future of the Oregon wine industry. James believes it will take new faces and new blood to keep the industry afloat. He discusses that consumer trends are changing and the industry needs to take a step back to find what consumers really want.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Red Shed Vineyards in Lewisburg on July 20, 2026.

This interview is with Jacob Brink of Arbitrary Cellars & RAW Cider Co. In this interview, Jacob discusses how he found that wine was something he could never get bored of.

Jacob talks about starting his career in the Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic and painter. After being honorably discharged, Jacob had to decide where he wanted to live. Previously, Jacob had taken a trip to Oregon and decided that is where he belonged. After finding work in hydrogen storage, Jacob was getting bored again. He had enjoyed wine as a consumer and joined the Battle Creek wine club. When he jokingly asked the manager for a job, he took Jacob up on it. Since then, Jacob has been working in various tasting rooms and vineyards.

Jacob discusses his experience and education within the wine industry. After managing the tasting room at Battle Creek, Jacob transitioned to Fullerton Wines eventually opening up a tasting room in Corvallis. He learn about wine and the industry by asking smart people dumb questions. After gaining more experience, Jacob wanted to start his own brand. The name stems from the idea that if the wine is good, everything else should be arbitrary. Jacob continues to grow Arbitrary along with working full-time as the outside sales and tasting room manager of RAW Cider Co.

Later in the interview, Jacob talks about his hopes for the future of Arbitrary and the Oregon wine industry. Jacob hopes to eventually create a sustainable ecosystem with RAW Cider Co. Along with success, Jacob wants to lift other people up as he rises. He believes that if we provide for the next generation, they will provide for us.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Red Shed Vineyards in Lewisburg on July 20, 2026.

This interview is with Deron & Hannah Davenport of Stray Cider. In this interview, the newlyweds explain how they found their way to cider and each other.

Deron talks about starting out as a baker. He loved the idea of creating art through science and found that fermentation fascinated him. From there, he started brewing beer and fermenting cider at home. As Portland Cider Co. was starting to gain some traction, Deron talked his way into a job and eventually made his way up to head cider maker. After pitching unconventional ideas for Portland Cider Co., he was encouraged to start his own brand where he could experiment as much as he wanted.

Hannah discusses how her relationship with cider started with her mom. Hannah grew up on a farm that grew apples. As she was starting college, her mom started experimenting with apple fermentation and eventually started Bauman’s Cider Company. After trying different careers in design, Hannah came back to help her mom with the company and never left. Hannah took her background in design to help Deron in branding Stray and joined his venture after connecting to the cider itself.

Later in the interview, the couple talks about how their friendship evolved into a work relationship which evolved to a romantic relationship. After spending so much time together to build the brand, they fell in love. Deron explains how their relationship grew along with stray. They finally tied the knot in June of 2026 and plan to continue to nurture their love for each other and Stray Cider even further.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in McMinnville on July 17, 2026.

This interview is with Tim Kinkade of Cynthian Vineyards. In this interview, Tim discusses how he accomplished his vineyard dreams.

Tim talks about his many years as a contractor. He started in construction at 18 and stuck with it until he retired. He found work in places like Alaska and Hawaii until he got married and had children and settled in Corvallis, Oregon. Towards the end of his career, Tim’s sub-contractors were all retiring and he felt it might be time for him to follow suit. After having a dream of building his own vineyard for years, Tim sold the house he built and his children grew up in to started looking for vineyard property in 2012.

Tim discusses the property of Cynthian Vineyards itself. Tim stumbled upon the property when he was golfing at Cross Creek located above the golf course. After checking it out and realizing there was already a house there, Tim jumped on the opportunity. In terms of growing grapes, the fruit loves the property. There is not a flat spot on the vineyard and the vines get the wind directly from the coast. Tim believes that good wine is about the farming and the fruit itself.

Later in the interview, Tim talks about the reality of owning a vineyard and his hobbies outside of it. Tim explains that owning and living on a vineyard is not exactly what he imagined. Instead of retiring, he bought himself another job. Owning a vineyard is more work and risk than he originally thought. On the bright side, Tim is never bored along with his hobbies of woodworking, welding, scuba diving, maintaining old cars, and electric biking.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Cynthian Vineyards in Dallas on July 16, 2026.

This interview is with Lane Kinkade of Cynthian Vineyards. In this interview, Lane  discusses getting wrapped into his dad’s dream of building his own vineyard.

Lane talks about his life before joining the wine industry with different career paths. Lane got his degree is graphic design which led him to different jobs in design, user experience design, and product design. Eventually, he was offered the opportunity to teach at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. During this time, Lane’s father, Tim, had retired and started his own vineyard and production was ramping up. After teaching for about three years, Lane decided to move across country to Oregon to help his dad build the Cynthian brand.

Lane discusses his growth within his wine knowledge. Starting out, he didn’t know much about wine, but loved how it paired with food. After helping his dad with harvests for years, Lane enrolled in the Chemeketa wine program to learn more about winemaking to eventually take over as the sole Cynthian winemaker. Along with a structured education, Lane is learning from mentors as well. Now, Lane has also completed his WSET level 2. Lane realizes that knowing all the work that goes into wine makes it taste better.

Later in the interview, Lane talks about the future of the Oregon wine industry.  Although it is a difficult time for the Willamette Valley, Lane is optimistic. He believes that keeping the unique spirit of the Oregon wine industry will keep it afloat. He explains that the industry is kind and cooperative. He has multiple first-hand experiences of bigger brands helping out the little guy.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Cynthian Vineyards in Dallas on July 16, 2026.

This interview is with Laurent Montalieu of Soléna Estate. In this interview, Laurent discusses his journey in creating a multi-generational legacy within the Oregon wine industry.

Laurent talks about his beginnings in wine. He started out studying engineering in France until he switched to the neighboring Bourdeaux's Institute of Oenology  because it looked like they were having more fun over there. While studying, Laurent did many internships. One took him to Napa Valley which gave him an appreciation for American business management. Freshly graduated, Laurent got a call from Bridgeview Winery to work with them and finally made his way to Oregon.

Laurent discusses creating NW Wine Company and its progression throughout the years. The property started as an old pie factory and was originally used to make his own wine. It turned out that people wanted Laurent to make wine for their brands as well. From there, Laurent was the winemaker for many different brands and NW Wine Company was born in 2003. After a creating a successful business with high demand, Laurent sold the company in 2021.

Later in the interview, Laurent talks about his current focus, Soléna Estate. Purchasing the property in 1999 and planting vineyards as well as living on it, Soléna Estate was overshadowed by the beast of NW Wine Company in Laurent’s mind. Now, Soléna Estate is Laurent’s main focus as he nurtures the vineyard and his daughter Soléna to become the next leader of the estate.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Soléna Estate in Yamhill on July 15, 2026.