The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Marissa Kipp of Cru and Domaine. In this interview, Marissa speaks about finding a passion for wine through education and service, especially as it gave her a chance to compete against herself to learn more and more about the world of wine.

She talks about her time working in all aspects of food, wine, and hospitality, with education always being a focus. She also talks about her perpetual state of studying for the next exam, improving her credentials and expanding her knowledge while always looking for more.

She then talks about how she found her way to Cru and Domaine and what's she's brought to the program, as well as what is coming next.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Cru and Domaine in Portland on February 28, 2024.

This interview is with Amael Orrego of Benton-Lane Winery. In this interview, Amael shares his wine journey and how he found himself in Oregon after growing up in Chile. 

Amael talks about his childhood and growing up in rural Chile. He reminisces about the countryside and his family. He then shares how these factors drove him to find a profession in the wine industry. 

Amael then dives into finding jobs after his time spent at a university in Chile. He talks about being introduced to Pinot and Chardonnay in California and how he has come to fall in love with the varieties while in Oregon. He also shares what all he loves about wine and winemaking. 

Amael leaves us with some of his aspirations and observations about Oregon wine. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Benton-Lane Winery in Monroe, Oregon on February 27, 2024.

This interview is with Don Heistuman. In this interview, Don shares his journey, first paved with music, to wine and where wine has led him.

Don dives into being born in Portland and raised in Washington. He talks about his early love for food, sociology, music, and culture. He then shares how all of his passions and experiences led him to the wine industry. 

Later in the interview, Don shares what he finds to be his proudest accomplishments and what he hopes to do in the future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on February 26, 2024.

This interview is with Joel Sokoloff. In this interview, Joel talks about how he found farming and how that led him to wine. 

Joel dives into how he grew up in the suburbs of Illinois and how he found farming later in life. He shares why he loves the industry, the family, and the tight-knit community Joel then talks about how his passion for farming led him to wine.

Later in the interview Joel talks about why he is endlessly interested in farming and wine. He leaves us with some of his hopes and advice for the future of Oregon wine.  

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in Joel’s home in Mcminnville, Oregon.

This interview is with Aldie Howard. In this interview, Aldie speaks about his life before wine, which included time in the Navy sailing to all parts of the world, and in public service in Oregon and Alaska. While in Oregon, he talked about meeting Charles Coury, Dick Erath, Myron Redford, Barney Watson and other early Oregon winemakers.

Aldie talked about working with all these different people, learning to make wine, and about then going to work at his brother's winery in New Hampshire. He also talks about his impressions of Oregon wine and its growth, and about his new venture in the industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on February 12, 2024.

This interview is with Dillon Glusker of Prufrock Wines. In this interview, Dillon talks about all things tea, chocolate, and wine. He shares about his journey to finding wine and how he fell in love with both tea and chocolate along the way.

Dillon dives into how he has always loved specialty foods and flavors. He also shares how he wanted to “use his palate to make money.” He talks about finding his love for aged tea in college and how his tea passion transpired into different career opportunities. 

Later in the interview, Dillon talks about traveling and shares some of his favorite memories. He also discusses what he loves about his current role and some hopes he has for the future. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Prufrock Wines warehouse in Portland, Oregon on February 9, 2024. 

This interview is with David Heatherbell, former enology professor at Oregon State University. In this interview, David speaks about how he found wine through his love for science.

David shares about his time growing up overseas, but how he has always been connected to the Pacific Northwest through his father. He goes on to talk about getting his PhD from OSU and some of his fondest memories from that adventure. 

Later in the interview, David dives into his involvement in the wine industry and establishing the Cool Weather Viticulture Wine Symposium in 1984. He leaves us with some thoughts about Oregon, the wine industry, and some of his current wine intrigues. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt via Zoom from David's home in New Zealand on February 8 (in the US) and February 9 (in New Zealand), 2024.

This interview is with Phil London of Cameron Winery. In this interview, Phil speaks about both his journey to finding wine and Oregon. He shares about everything from the wine castles of California to finding his place in Oregon. 

Phil shares about his wine journey in California and all the travels and adventures it led him on. He then dives into what led him to Oregon and all he enjoys about the Oregon wine industry. 

Later in the interview, Phil shares what he believes makes great wine. He leaves us with his hopes for both Oregon wine and his career. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville on January 31, 2024.

This interview is with Justina Bice of Patton Valley Wines. In this interview, Justina speaks about how she knew wine was going to be her path in ninth grade, though she didn't know what route she would take. An internship with the Idaho Wine Board and a desire to be in Oregon led her to working at Patton Valley 2015.

She talks about her work in Oregon, leading up to purchasing (along with winemaker Derek Einbarger) Patton Valley in 2022. Included in this process was a rethinking of the business model, finding a tasting room space, and working with her wine club to understand the changes. She also talks about how she's seen hospitality evolve, the effects of the pandemic, and what comes next.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Patton Valley Wines tasting room in McMinnville on January 29, 2024.

This interview is with Joe Padulo of Portland Wine Storage. In this interview, Joe speaks about his journey to finding wine and where the industry has led him. Joe talks about what first drew him to wine and how he made a business of creating cool spaces to store and enjoy wine. 

Joe dives into growing up on the east coast and how he eventually found himself across the country at a culinary school in California. Joe then shares how he found himself in Portland, where he and Tom Harvey started Portland Wine Storage. 

Joe goes on to talk about everything from getting his driver's license at 30 to someone flying wine to the Canadian border for a hand delivery. He leaves us with some of his future hopes and his thoughts about the Oregon Wine Industry. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Portland Wine Storage's annex in Portland on January 25, 2025.