The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

Dan and Helen Dusschee are the owners and operators of Freedom Hill Vineyards in Dallas, Oregon. In this interview they talk about how they got into the business of growing grapes, the challenges they faced over the years, and the farming practices that they implement in their vineyard. They also discuss how Freedom Hill became a family business and how they hope to see it continue as such in the future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Freedom Hill Vineyards on June 29, 2018.

This interview is with Gary Fuqua, of Fuqua Vineyards. In this interview, Gary discusses how he got into wine grapes, his various roles in the wine industry, as well as how he managed his grapes. Gary also speaks about the education he received at UC Davis, as well as his grape growing philosophy as he was interested in the farming and economic aspects of the industry. Towards the end of the interview, Gary discusses how his life still revolves around the wine business— having to go to weekly meetings and tastings. He then goes on to speak about the “mystique” that makes wine so great and diverse, the Fuqua terroir (Red Hills, Jory soil, volcanic), and his perspective of the future of Oregon wine.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Nicholson Library at Linfield College on May 6, 2019.

This interview is with Jay Somers, the owner/winemaker of J. Christophers. Jay starts the interview by talking about his interest of making alcohol by first starting in the beer industry with McMenamins. He goes on to talk about is growing interest in the wine industry and starting a winery. He also talks about his goals for the future and possible challanges the industry might face in the next decade.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at J. Christopher on August 30, 2017.

This interview is with Kelley Fox of Kelley Fox Wines. In this interview, Kelley talks about how she got into wine with her education in biochemistry and biophysics. She then discusses her journey to getting where she is now– the places she’s worked, the experiences she’s had, and the realities of working in the industry. Kelley then talks about how she started making her own wine, what she loves about being a winemaker, and why Pinot noir is so special. Towards the end of the interview, she discusses biodynamic farming and its importance, her winemaking philosophy, and why it’s important for the science and arts to be balanced. To conclude, she talks about what she wants people to get out of her wines, changes she’s seen to the Oregon Wine Industry, and what she sees in her future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at ADEA Wine Company on August 1, 2019.

This interview is with Lowell Ford, the original owner of Illahe Vineyards. He talks about planting the estate vineyard and his son taking over the business as the winemaker. Lowell also discusses their unique way of making Pinot Noir and the future of the winery.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Illahe Vineyards on December 11, 2017.

This interview is with Pamela Frye and Richard Boyles of Iris Vineyards. In this interview, the couple discuss how they got into wine; Richard states it’s what “all good times are built around.” He then goes on to speak about why he decided to plant a vineyard due to his farming background, and his work history in international business. Pamela shares her history leading into wine as well. They then speak about how they found the property of Iris Vineyards and their grape growing philosophy of approaching the vineyard first as farmers. Richard then goes on to talk about how his passion for food and wine in the hospitality industry has influenced his role at Iris, and what makes the Eugene area unique. Towards the end of the interview, the couple discuss their proudest achievements, the future for Iris, what the secret is for a successful marriage and the future of the Oregon Wine Industry.

This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody at Iris Vineyards on June 13, 2019.

This interview is with Jim Prosser, the owner and winemaker of J.K. Carriere. Jim first talks about why he chose the land, the varietal Pinot Noir and the name for his winery. He then talks about the good and the bad of running a small, family winery. He then goes on to talk about the different organizations he is a part of and the future of the winery.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at J.K. Carriere on August 31, 2017.

This interview is with Matt Giraud. In this interview, Matt speaks about his time as a wine writer for Willamette Week and director of "Life In Vine," a documentary about a year in the life of a handful of vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Matt gives his perspectives on the growth of Oregon wine from the mid-1990s into the early 2000s, a time of major change and evolution in the industry.

Additionally, Matt talks about his work with Les Garagistes, a group of home winemakers in Portland. Matt talks about the growth of his winemaking skills and how his appreciation for Oregon wine has increased as he has made more wine.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville on April 4, 2023.

This interview is with Michael Lichtenwalter of Lichtenwalter Vineyard. In this interview, Michael speaks about discovering a love of wine and following that to finding and purchasing a piece of property in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. He talks about all that went into transitioning the land to grapes, and learning how to farm. 

Later, he talks about starting the Lichtenwalter brand, what kind of wine he wanted to make and how he has sold it so far. He talks about the growth in Ribbon Ridge and the industry in general, and about what comes next.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Lichtenwalter Vineyard in Newberg on April 3, 2023.

This interview is with Chris Butler and Draga Zheleva of Liska Wine Company. In this interview, Chris and Draga speak about their separate paths before meeting at UC Davis and then heading into the wine world together. Harvests in Germany and Australia gave them a variety of experiences, but a desire for cool climate grapes and a welcoming wine industry brought them to Oregon.

They take us through their various stops in Oregon before starting Liska, a brand devoted to acid-driven cool-climate varietals. Chris talks about his work as the assistant winemaker at Cristom, and Draga speaks about her artwork which has become the signature look for the brand. They also talk about juggling graduate school, work, a small child and a new brand, and about what comes next.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Cristom Vineyards in Salem on March 30, 2023.