The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Dr. Bob Gross of Cooper Mountain Vineyards. In this interview, Bob speaks about his path into medicine and stops along the way, and how he found his way to the west coast. An interest in wine coupled with a medical practice opportunity and desire to be in Portland eventually led to finding the land that would become Cooper Mountain and planting a vineyard.

Bob also talks about the conversion to organic and biodynamic farming and the growth of the industry he's seen.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Cooper Mountain Vineyards in Beaverton on March 28, 2023.

This interview is with Matt Perry of 00 Wines. In this interview, Matt speaks about an early interest in fermentation leading him to working in wine research and production in Minnesota, followed by a series of internships in Napa and abroad. 

He talks about his first experience in Oregon wine as an intern at Antica Terra, and what about that experience made him want to stay in Oregon. He then talks about his time at Carlton Winemakers Studio and Adelsheim before landing his role as winemaker at 00 Wines. In addition, he talks about formative moments along the way and what the Oregon wine industry looks like to him now.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on March 16, 2023.

This interview is with Gilles de Domingo of Cooper Mountain Vineyards. In this interview, Gilles speaks about growing up in Bordeaux and setting out into the wine world with the intent of going back to help run his family's estate. A chance encounter led him to Oregon to work at King Estate in the 1990s, and he has stayed in the Oregon wine industry since.

Gilles talks about his role as the winemaker being to honor the work of the vineyard stewards, and not to mess up their efforts. He discusses his own interested in biodynamic and organic farming and the ways he has seen these farming methods increase in Oregon. And he talks about his most important accomplishments.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Cooper Mountain Vineyards on March 28, 2023.

This interview is with Ryan Sharp of Enso Winery. In this interview, Ryan speaks about finding a passion for wine in the Sierra foothills, and planning to have a small vineyard as a retirement project. Upon moving to Portland, he saw the ability to start the project sooner and started Enso, an urban winery and wine bar.

Ryan also speaks about his days as a touring musician, the ethos of Enso, and the incredible challenges of 2020. He also talks about deciding which wines to make and why, some of his hits and misses, and what comes next.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Enso Winery in Portland on March 9, 2023.

This interview is with Maddy Rausch of Bergström Wines. In this interview, Maddy speaks about a passion for food, drink, and nature leading her to follow the winemaking path. She talks about feeling at home at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and about her formal wine education, followed by her initial experiences in wineries in California and New Zealand.

An appreciation for Bergström wine led her to pursue an internship there, followed by a whirlwind path as cellarmaster, assistant winemaker, and winemaker. She talked about handling the increasing responsibility and about the challenges of recent vintages, as well as what she's looking ahead to.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Bergström Wines on March 8, 2023.

This interview is with Pedro Parra of Rose & Arrow and Pedro Parra y Familia. In this interview, Pedro speaks about his roundabout way of discovering an interest in soil and terroir that led to his being one of the most in-demand terroir consultants in the world. He talks about his advanced education and discovering the need for his expertise, leading to him advising wine projects all over the world.

He also talks about his own wine project in Chile and the trials and tribulations of making your own wine. And he talks about his work in Oregon with Chapter 24 and now Rose & Arrow, and what excites him about Oregon's future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Atticus Hotel in McMinnville on March 8, 2023.

This interview is with Joey Myers of A to Z Wineworks and Narrow Window Wines. In this interview, Joey speaks about growing up in the vineyard industry thanks to his father's nursery and vineyard business. Once Joey decided that he wanted to follow a similar path, he attended Southern Oregon University and worked in California and abroad before coming back to Oregon.

Joey speaks about growing his knowledge in vineyard work and coming to work at A to Z, as well as the impetus to starting his own experimental vineyard and wine brand. He also talks about the future of wine and vines in Oregon.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at White Cloud Vineyard in Carlton on March 9, 2023.

This interview is with Amanda Wittstrom Higgins of Dream Big Darling and Full Cup Solutions. In this interview, Amanda speaks about getting into her family's wine business in Paso Robles after graduating from college, and seeing ways in which the industry needed to improve. 

Dream Big Darling was created to help mentor women in the wine industry, and Full Cup Solutions was created to help small farmers who wanted to create a wine label. Amanda talks about what prompted her desire to start both, and what the challenges and successes have been so far. She also talks about how the industry has improved and how it still has improvements to make, as well as the advice she has for people entering the industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on March 1, 2023.

This interview is with Robert Henry of Pamplin Family Winery. In this interview, Robert speaks about getting his winery work started on the east coast before finding his way to California to continue his education and take his next steps in the industry. His formative time in California came at Pahlmeyer, where he helped produce wines he's still proud of today.

Robert then talks about finding his way to Oregon and taking on the role at Pamplin. His focus has been on Cabernet from vineyards in Washington, while more recently taking on the Chardonnay and Pinot noir from the Oregon estate. He talks about his winemaking style and the various challenges he has overcome, as well as talking about the advice he gives to industry newcomers.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Pamplin Family Winery in Sherwood on February 27, 2023.

This interview is with Tim Jones of The Four Graces Winery. In this interview, Tim speaks about discovering his interest in wine while in college in Oregon, and following his interest to working harvests in California. He then talks about furthering his education at UC Davis, and being hired by Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington.

From there, Tim talks about developing his skills as a winemaker and as a leader, how he decided to come back to Oregon for his position at The Four Graces in 2018, and about how his work has gone since. He also talks about what comes next for himself and the Oregon wine industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at The Four Graces Winery/Doe Ridge Vineyard on February 27, 2023.