The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Dustin Wyant of Park & Main restaurant. In this interview, Dustin speaks about following a hospitality path that led him to starting a restaurant in Carlton. After an early career selling wine at Willamette Valley Vineyards, Dustin talks about running the food and hospitality program at a resort in Glacier National Park and all the lessons he learned there. 

After returning to Oregon, Dustin touches on working on hotels and restaurants in Dundee and Newberg and all the great people he got to work with, before the opportunity to open his own place in Carlton. He describes the food/wine/ice cream program designed to be "Carlton's living room" and about the tight connection he has built with the people and town.

Dustin also talks about his future projects and the future for the wine and hospitality industries in Oregon.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on June 12, 2024 at Park & Main in Carlton.

This interview is with Andy Fortgang of Le Pigeon, Canard and Flor. In this interview, Andy speaks about growing up in New York City and developing an interest in food, wine, and restaurants. He describes how he came to work at Gramercy Tavern and how that launched his career.

Later, Andy talks about how he came to Portland, and became involved with Le Pigeon Restaurant and later Little Bird, Canard, and Flor. He describes all the personal and professional growth he had, and the effects of the pandemic on his various businesses. And he discusses learning about wine, building wine lists and selling wine.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on June 11, 2024 at Flor Wines in Portland.

This interview is with Mark Gotelli of Heavenly Creatures. In this interview, Mark talks about his life and love for all things wine and poetry. 

Mark shares about his early life and growing up in the suburbs of California. He goes on to talk about how he discovered his passion and love for wine. He dives into how it was not one moment where he fell in love with wine, rather it was through wine's consistent re-entry into his life. 

After talking about why he fell in love with wine, Mark goes on to share his favorite wine pairing for "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” He then talks about his poetry career and relates his passion for this style of writing to wine. Before he leaves, Mark shares some of the things he is looking forward to.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt outside of Heavenly Creatures in Portland on June 5, 2024.

This interview is with Jillian Bradshaw of Beaux Frères. In this interview, Jillian talks about her journey in finding Oregon and wine. 

Jillian dives into her early life and growing up in New York. She shares about her early desires to live in a city and how those desires eventually shifted. Jillian goes on to talk about how she ended up in Oregon thanks to her now husband. She then talks about finding and learning about Oregon wine during her job at The Painted Lady. 

Later in the interview, Jillian shares about her current position as VP of Sales and Marketing at Beaux Frères. She dives into how her role at Beaux Frères has shifted over the years and what she is excited for in the coming future. She also shares with us some of her personal and professional goals. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on the Troll Trail at Beaux Frères on June 11, 2024.

This interview is with Brian Loehr and Noelle Hori of Amphora Wine Merchants in Portland. In this interview, Brian and Noelle speak about their respective paths to wine before they met in San Francisco, and about how they came to Portland to start their wine shop.

The couple talks about the trials and triumphs of starting a small wine business, including all the things they didn't know and how they've found their niche. They also talk about the wines they feature and what they hope the customer experience is like. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on June 4, 2024 at Amphora Wine Merchants.

This interview is with Adam Rose of Great Mountain Vineyard. In this interview, Adam dives into all things wine and how he found his way to Oregon and planting a vineyard. 

Adam dives into life growing up and all his career passions that eventually led him to find wine. Adam originally wanted to pursue a career that would lead him away from agriculture and into a city. However, after a time spent juggling three restaurant jobs and getting introduced to wine, he found a passion not only for wine but viticulture and harvest too. 

Later in the interview, Adam talks about all things viticulture and beginning his vineyard. He shares about everything from proving his site’s climate to becoming a make-shift electrical engineer. Before he leaves, Adam shares some of his hopes and plans for his vineyard in the coming future. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Adam’s home in Portland on June 3, 2024.

This interview is with Aaron Kendall of Compris Vineyard. In this interview, Aaron speaks about finding his way into the wine industry by being attracted to the hard work, adrenaline and camaraderie. The chance to travel and work was exciting, and Aaron eventually found his way to Oregon.

From there, Aaron talks about his work at Adelsheim, then Beaux Freres, and now Compris. He discusses his evolution as a winemaker and the lessons he picked up along the way. He also talks about Folly of Man, the new brand he and his wife Tracy started, as well as their new estate vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on June 3, 2024 at Compris Vineyard in Newberg.

This interview is with Jon Casteel, owner of Casteel Custom Bottling. In this interview, Jon dives into all things wine, equipment, and bottling. 

Jon talks about life growing up as a Casteel. He shares how wine has always been a huge constant in his life, but his passion has always been with equipment rather than winemaking. He then goes on to talk about how being a self-proclaimed “gear-head” has shaped his path. 

Later in the interview, Jon dives into the creation of his company, Casteel Custom Bottling. He shares how it started with a handshake, deal, and one truck and has now grown to be two trucks and a physical location. Jon also talks about both his hopes for his own future and the future of Oregon wine. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Casteel Custom Bottling Company in McMinnville on May 31, 2024.

This interview is with Chris Czarnecki, head chef and owner of the Joel Palmer House Restaurant. In this interview, Chris dives into all things truffles, wine, and Nicolas Cage.

Chris talks about growing up in the restaurant industry and shares some of his core memories. He goes on to talk about backpacking around Europe in his twenties and how he then found himself part of the Army. He then shares how he landed in Oregon after being a cook in the Army. 

Later in the interview, Chris talks about taking over his parent’s restaurant. He shares about the Joel Palmer house history and dives into all the changes he has made. He then goes on to share about his experience with Nicolas Cage and the Pig movie. Finally, before he leaves, Chris shares his hopes and plans for his restaurant in the future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Joel Palmer House Restaurant in Dayton on May 30, 2024.

This interview is with Sebastian Traviesa of Sunridge Nurseries. In this interview, Sebastian talks about all things agriculture, vines, and adaptation.

Sebastian shares about his growing up in Chile. He talks about his time spent at a university in Chile learning about agriculture. Sebastian then goes on to share about his time in France. He talks about wanting to learn French and how he got involved with grapes while there. Sebastian then goes on to share how he found himself part of the California vine nursery scene. 

Later in the interview, Sebastian shares how he found himself in Oregon. He also dives into some of his views and beliefs regarding vine adaptation and climate change in relation to wine.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on May 28, 2024.