The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

Tune in for the fourth episode of the Oregon Wine History Archive’s bonus podcast Vocal Vines. I interviewed Andrew Riechers, of Audeant Wines, and talked about everything from embodying Champagne to harvest bonding abroad. So grab a glass, sit back, and get ready to sip on the juice of the vocal vine Andrew Riechers.

Tune in for the third episode of the Oregon Wine History Archive’s bonus podcast, Vocal Vines. I interviewed Travis Todd, of de la boue wines, and talked about everything from practical jokes to the true escapades of pinot camp! Travis also talked about de la boue wines’ growth and all that has transpired since we last talked to him in 2021. So grab a glass, sit back, and get ready to sip on the juice of the vocal vine Travis Todd. 

This interview is with Jessica Miller of Little Crow Vineyards. In this interview, Jessica speaks about her journey to finding wine and viticulture. 

Early in the interview, Jessica shares how wine did not enter her life until college. She dives into her discovery of wine, which happened while she attended Boston University. Jesscia then talks about finding her niche in viticulture. 

Later in the interview, Jessica shares about her time in California, abroad, and eventually how she found herself in Oregon. She then touches on starting her own label, Little Crow Vineyards, and what that journey has been like. Jessica leaves us with her hopes for both the future of Little Crow and Oregon wine in general. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Hollow Oak Acres in Sherwood on August 31, 2023.

Tune in for the second episode of the Oregon Wine History Archive’s bonus podcast Vocal Vines. I interviewed Grant Coulter, of Hundred Suns Wine, and talked about everything under the sun. From stories being traded like baseball cards to crashing into a canopy, Grant shares it all! So, grab a glass, sit back, and get ready to sip on the juice of this vocal vine. 

This interview is with Madeleine Rowan-Davis of Atlas Vineyard Management. In this interview, Madeleine speaks about her background in science and starting to work in wine almost on a whim. Her work in hospitality and sales at Bonny Doon Vineyard allowed her to develop a passion and curiosity and led her to study at UC Davis.

After getting into vineyard management and viticulture, Madeleine talks about the various positions she held before coming to Atlas, including customer expectations and understanding different vineyards. She also talks about what brought her back to Oregon and how it has gone so far.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Abbott Claim Vineyard in Carlton on August 22, 2023.

This interview is with Sam Stetser of Atlas Vineyard Management. In this interview, Sam speaks about his winding path to wine and to Oregon, starting with a childhood interest in agriculture. He describes working in fine dining and doing agriculture and viticulture in Colorado before finding his way to Oregon vineyard management.

He also talks about the work he does at Atlas, and how the growth of the industry has affected his work. And he looks ahead to what comes next.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Sam's home in McMinnville on August 10, 2023.

This interview is with Chris Thomas of Celestial Hill Vineyard. In this interview, Chris speaks about discovering wine and eventually entering the industry.

Chris talks about growing up in up-state New York and meeting his wife. He dives into being a CPA by trade, but shares how that career did not stick. Chris then talks about living in Europe and falling in love with all things Burgundy, Fance. 

Later in the interview, Chris talks about creating Celestial Hill Vineyard and all that went into creating both the label and the vineyard. He leaves us with both his professional and personal hopes for the future. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Celestial Hill Vineyard in McMinnville on August 21, 2023.

This interview is with Jim Bernau of Willamette Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Jim speaks about his introduction to wine and his journey through the industry. 

Jim starts the interview by diving into his childhood introduction to wine, which spurred him and his brother to steal and experiment with their mother’s frozen grape concord concentrate. 

Jim also talks about his educational journey, where he went everywhere from Oxford to Willamette University. He then shares that after college he was introduced to wine professionally through legislation. 

Later in the interview, Jim dives into the creation of Willamette Valley Vineyards. He leaves us with some advice about entering the wine industry and his hopes for the future. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Domaine Willamette in Dayton on August 18, 2023.

This interview is with Alisa Jacobsen of Rare North and Turning Tide. In this interview, Alisa speaks about her wine journey and love for all things agriculture. 

During this interview, Alisa dives into growing up surrounded by agriculture in California. Born and raised around all things crops and animals, Alisa talks about her original interests when attending UC Davis, before she found wine. She shares about making her first wine at 19 and all what has motivated and compelled her during her wine journey. 

Later in the interview, Alisa talks about balancing her crazy workload and exciting adventures. She leaves us with her professional and personal hopes. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Northwest Wine Company in Dundee on August 16, 2023.

This interview is with Dave Rice of Chehalem Winery. In this interview, Dave speaks about his lifelong interest in wine and how it brought him to his current role. 

Dave talks about his career in sales and how it prepared him to work in wine sales and hospitality. He speaks on his initial impressions of the Oregon wine industry and how he's seen it grow and change. And he talks about how his role has grown and evolved, and what he does now. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Chehalem Winey tasting room in Newberg on August 14, 2023.