The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Michael Etzel of Beaux Fréres Winery. In this interview, Michael discusses how he got the “wine bug,” first selling wine, then transitioning to owning a winery and making wine. Michael then goes on to discuss how his farming lifestyle has informed his job in the wine industry, as well as how they acquired the Beaux Fréres property while on vacation in Oregon. Although he had no initial experience making wine or growing grapes, Michael’s passion to succeed led him to having great success with his wines. Further into the interview, Michael talks about his wine making philosophy and how it has evolved into what it is today. Towards the end of the interview, Michael speaks about sustainable farming, his perspective, future plans for Beaux Fréres, his own personal goals, as well as the future of the Oregon Wine Industry.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Beaux Fréres Winery on April 12, 2019.

This interview is with Sara and Dave Specter, owners and winemaker at Bells Up Winery in Newberg, Oregon. They talk about the career change to making wine, planting their estate vineyard and the first couple of years in Oregon. Dave and Sara also discuss the future of the winery and the Oregon wine industry.

This interview was conducted by Stephanie Hofmann at Bells Up Winery on June 19th, 2017

This interview is with Michael Etzel Jr. of Beaux Fréres. In this interview, Michael talks about why he chose wine, what it was like growing up on the estate, and what made him decide to go into the wine industry. He speaks of the places he’s traveled to and the many jobs he worked before ending up back home in 2015. Michael then goes on to describe how the sale of the company affected him, the evolution of the estate, and his winemaking philosophy. Towards the end of the interview, he speaks about the label “Coattails” that he started with his brothers, what it’s like working with family, and balancing expectations with partnerships and consumer desires. To conclude, Michael offers his perspective of what the Oregon Wine Industry looks like today, how Beaux Fréres fits into the Oregon wine story, and offers his take on what the future looks like.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Beaux Fréres on August 30, 2019.

This interview is with Andrew and Annedria Beckham, owners of Beckham Estate Vineyard in Sherwood, Oregon.  In this interview, the Beckhams discuss their experiences together in the wine industry. Specifically, they address changes seen in the industry in the last 10 years, as well as the support they have found in relationships with established winemakers. Annedria insightfully notes that “the rising tide floats all boats” in reference to the growing industry and the advantages they see when winemakers help one another.

In this oral history interview, we talked with Steve Girard of Benton-Lane Winery. Steve talks about his early appreciation for wine and how he got hooked on Oregon Pinot Noir. He also discusses his journey of acquiring his unique property, planting his vines, and making his wine. One point that he emphasizes is that it takes a team, not a single person, to make a wine successful.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on June 27, 2018 at Benton-Lane WInery in Monroe, Oregon.

This interview is with Brian and Jill O’Donnell of Belle Pente Winery. In this interview, the O’Donnells discuss how they decided to get into winemaking, their first impressions of the Oregon wine industry (a very supportive, inclusive environment), as well as the learning curves/challenges that came with their jobs. They also go on to speak about how they came up with Belle Pente— the couple wanted a name that was strongly connected to its place with an old world feel that accurately reflected their wine. Brian speaks about his winemaking philosophy and how it has evolved over time, while Jill talks about her business philosophy. The couple acknowledge that they love to do business with people who want to have a personal relationship with them since they are a small operation. Towards the end of the interview, both touch upon the future of Belle Pente, as well as the Oregon Wine industry as it continues to change and evolve.

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

This interview is with Ian Burch of Archery Summit Winery. In this interview, Ian talks about how he got into the wine industry and the education, and work experience that he received to get him to where he is today. Ian then goes on to speak about the various places he traveled to gain worldly perspectives, and how he later ended up in Oregon and his initial impressions. He also touches on his decision to not use herbicides, the legacy of Archery Summit, and wine making philosophy and how it has transformed over the years. Towards the ending of the interview, Ian discusses the role of place, the future for Archery Summit, for the Oregon Wine Industry, and advice for people looking to enter it.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Archery Summit on July 2, 2019.

This interview is with Pascal Brooks, Owner of Brooks Winery. This interview starts with Pascal discussing what it was like growing up around the Oregon wine industry and the impact his Dad, Jimi Brooks, had on his life. He also talks about is interest in wine particularly Riesling, being a part of the documentary American Wine Story and the future of Brooks Winery.

This interview was conducted by Stephanie Hofmann at Brooks Winery on September 25, 2017.

This interview is with Doug Tunnell of Brick House Vineyards. In this interview, Doug talks about his love for wine, his studies abroad, previous work experience as a former correspondent with CBS, and what eventually led him to choosing wine. He then discusses why he chose the land, how he learned how to grow grapes along with his current grape growing philosophy (biodynamic farming), the growth of the estate and decision to make wine, and his winemaking philosophy. Towards the end of the interview, Doug talks about his relationship with Linfield College, his perspective on the wine program, and the biggest changes he’s seen within the Oregon Wine Industry since he first entered it. Towards the end of the interview, Doug speaks about what he sees for the future of his business and for the future in general.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Brick House Vineyards on July 11, 2019.

This interview is in three portions. The first part is with Pat Dudley, President and Marketing Director of Bethel Heights Vineyard, who speaks about how she got into the Oregon wine industry and how a liberal arts education provided her a strong foundation. During the second portion of the interview, Dudley is joined by Marilyn Webb, Dudley’s sister-in-law and the Chief Financial Officer of Bethel Heights Vineyard. Both women talk about marrying twins Ted and Terry Casteel and raising a family on the vineyard, the different relationships their children have formed with each other, and how the children have found their own way into the wine industry. Both Dudley and Webb also discuss various aspects of the wine industry in which they’ve been involved, such as the International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC), Oregon Pinot Camp (OPC), and the creation of The Oregon Winegrowers Guide in 1983. The last portion of the interview resumes with Dudley alone as Linfield student Camille Weber asks specific questions on topics covered in Dudley’s “Quoi de Neuf” column in Grapevine.

This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody on November 20, 2014.