The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Damien Lapuyade of Evening Land Vineyards. In this interview, Damien speaks about growing up in the Napa Valley with wine in the background, but only learning to appreciate wine once he got older. He talks about his initial wine experiences in Oregon and Australia, and his desire to further his education at UC Davis.

Later, Damien talks about coming to the north Willamette Valley right before the COVID-19 pandemic and landing a job with Evening Land. He talks about learning new techniques and styles, and about what he has brought to the process.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Seven Springs Vineyard in Salem on April 25, 2023.

This interview is with Heather Perkin of Elk Cove Vineyards and Pike Road. In this interview, Heather speaks about growing up in Australia and her early education in wine. After finishing school, she found an internship at Elk Cove with the intention of boosting her résumé to work in New Zealand or Australia. Instead, she worked her way from intern to assistant winemaker to recently being named head winemaker for Pike Road, Elk Cove's sister brand.

Heather talks about her favorite parts of the winemaking process, and about growing her skills in logistics, blending, and mentoring interns. She also talks about the challenges in her new position and what she's looking ahead to.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston on April 18, 2023.

This interview is with Efren Loeza of Willamette Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Efren speaks about growing up working in agriculture in Mexico before coming to the United States. He was immediately intrigued by working in vineyards, and asked enough questions to show his interest and start to learn the trade. When a full-time role came up at Tualatin Estate in 1980, he took it and has never looked back.

He talks about his time working with vines and also in the winery, including lessons learned and how his work has changed, especially after Willamette Valley Vineyards purchased Tualatin in the 1990s. He also talks about what he's proudest of, and the vineyard that bears his family's name.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Tualatin Estate Vineyard in Forest Grove on April 12, 2023.

This interview is with Dana Benn and Nicole Staples of Coquina Wines. In this interview, Dana and Nicole speak about their initial experiences in the wine industry and about each developing a passion for the physical, demanding labor of making wine. They talk about the various places they worked before meeting and becoming friends, and about their adventures together since.

They also talk about the origin of their brand Coquina and about what comes next for themselves and the brand. They speak about the difficulty of work-life balance in the industry and of other lessons learned along the way.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville on April 5, 2023.

This interview is with Nate Wall of Troon Wines. In this interview, Nate speaks about discovering an interest in microbes and an interest in wine, but taking a while to find the connection between the two. He talks about getting his start working in the Virginia wine industry before coming to Oregon, and the various places he worked.

Once in Oregon, he takes us through the path to coming to Troon, from finding a passion for biodynamic farming to finding Troon just as it was about to undertake a massive biodynamic project. He also talks about what comes next for him and for the brand.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Troon Wines tasting room in McMinnville on April 5, 2023.Show less

This interview is with Helmut and Andreas Wetzel, of Chateau Bianca Winery.  Wine has had a place in the Wetzel’s family history for four generations, starting in Northern Bavaria. After selling off a distributorship, they bought their current property in Dallas, Oregon, in 1990 and built Chateau Bianca Winery.  In the interview, the Wetzels discuss what it was like in the early days of the Oregon wine industry, their philosophy on growing and making wine, and why they embrace the difficult-to-make champagne-style wine.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt and Camille Weber at Chateau Bianca Winery on July 20, 2015.

This interview is with Katie Santora, winemaker at Chehalem Winery. In this interview, Katie discusses how she got into the wine industry after her dad’s friend suggested she study winemaking. She talks about the program she entered at UC Davis, the education she received, and how she ended up in Oregon working at various other wineries before ending up at Chehalem. Katie speaks about her travels as well as the tremendous support she received from the industry that has kept her passionate about winemaking. Towards the end of the interview, Katie showcases her gratitude for the position she has as a woman in the wine industry, her wine making philosophy, advice for people looking to enter the wine industry, the future of Chehalem, as well as her own personal goals.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Chehalem Winery on March 15, 2019.

This interview is with Veronique Boss-Drouhin of Domaine Drouhin Oregon. In this interview, Veronique first discusses how she got into wine after originally wanting to be a pianist— born into a wine family in Burgundy France. She then goes on to discuss her education and how she ended up in Oregon. Further into the interview, Veronique talks about the people she worked with, the difficulties in balancing working between Burgundy and Oregon, and speaks about how she drew inspiration from Burgundy Pinot Noir to make it her own unique wine in Oregon. Towards the end of the interview, Veronique touches on the welcoming spirit the industry had, her proudest achievement, and her perspectives on the future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Nicholson Library at Linfield College on June 26, 2019.

This interview is with Doyle Hinman who has been a part of almost every aspect of the wine industry during his life time. In this interview he talks about his start in the wine business, international sales and the future of the Oregon wine industry.

This interview was conducted on January 15th, 2016 at the Hinman home.

This interview is with Bruno Corneaux, owner of Domaine Divio. In this interview, Bruno discusses how he was born into the wine industry and explains his journey from working in the pharmaceutical industry for over ten years to travelling the world pursuing his passion of wine. Bruno also discusses the adversity faced during his time in Tahiti, as well as his philosophy of seeing his farm as a living entity, and aspirations to continue his business to a fifth generation.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Domaine Divio on July 23, 2018.