The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Mary Olson of Airlie Winery. In this interview, Mary talks about why she chose wine, and how she got exposed to Pinot Noir after moving to Oregon. She then goes on to talk about how she ended up at Airlie after helping out with the 1996 harvest. Mary then goes on to speak about her business philosophy, and what it means to have a women-owned-and-operated brand. Towards the end of the interview, she discusses changes she’s seen to the wine industry, what she sees for the future of Airlie, and the Oregon Wine Industry at large.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Airlie Winery on July 16, 2019.

This interview is with Elizabeth Clark of Airlie Winery. In this interview, Elizabeth talks about how she entered the wine industry and ended up in Oregon. She then goes on to talk about her various work experiences, initial impressions of Oregon, and how she ended at Airlie. Further into the interview, Elizabeth offers her winemaking philosophy, and what she hopes consumers to get from Airlie wines.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Airlie Winery on July 16, 2019.

This interview is with Dan and Christine Jepsen, owners of Alpine Vineyards in Monroe, Oregon. The couple discusses how they bought the ranch land in 1975 and have since grown a variety of grapes. The Jepsens take pride in their tradition of solely estate bottled wines. In this interview, the Jepsens talk about how they got into the Oregon wine industry, how things have changed since the beginning, and their thoughts on the future of the industry. They highlight the importance of “sweat equity” and teamwork needed for a successful life in the vineyard. They share why they chose their southern location in the Willamette Valley and how their choice has affected them over the years.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Alpine Vineyards on November 5, 2015.

This interview is with Ted Casteel, the Vineyard Manager at Bethel Heights Vineyard. Casteel speaks to why the family entered the wine industry, the logistics of a family operation, and why they chose the Eola Amity Hills. Casteel elaborates on how he’s seen the Oregon wine industry evolve, specifically viticulture knowledge and practices with the creation of programs like LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology), and where he sees the next generation taking Oregon wine.

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

This interview is with Katherine Cole, an Oregon wine writer. Katherine talks about how she started writing about Oregon wine, the kinds of stories that interest her and each of her books. She also discusses at length about the social movement of Rosé and some of the challenges of being a wine writer.

This interview was conducted by Stephanie Hofmann at Katherine Cole’s house in Portland on August 16, 2017.

This interview is with Scott Henry, winemaker at Henry Estate Winery in Umpqua, Oregon. Henry discusses how he came into the wine industry, why he chose this location, wine growing techniques, and his specific memories from years of being involved in the wine industry.

This interview was conducted by Janis Miglavs on September 28, 2009.

This interview is with Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash, of Penner-Ash Wine Cellars.  In this interview, Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash discuss their experience in the Oregon wine industry. Lynn talks about her journey from being in the California wine industry, to becoming the first woman winemaker of note in Oregon, to finally owning her own winery with Ron. Ron talks about joining the industry bit by bit through Lynn until they started Penner-Ash in 1998.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt and Rachael Woody at the Nicholson Library at Linfield College on March 4, 2016.

This interview is with Rich Cushman of Viento Wines and includes topics such as Cushman’s role in the start of several wineries, the history and inception of Viento Wines, and the place of the wine industry in Hood River.  Cushman discusses how he became interested in wine after taking a wine tasting class at Oregon State University in the 1970s and how that interest has grown into his current career in the wine industry. He then talks about how his interest in wine led him to aid in starting many wineries in the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley, as well as starting his own label, Viento.

This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody at Viento Wines on June 13, 2014.

This interview is with Leda Garside, the Services Manager of ¡Salud!. During this interview, Leda talks about why she became a nurse and the foundation of ¡Salud!. She also discusses the challenges facing vineyard workers and their families access to healthcare.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Tuality Hospital in Hillsboro, Oregon on June 15, 2018.

This interview is with Renee Neely and Laurie Lewis, owners of the Portland urban winery Hip Chicks Do Wine. In this interview, they talk about being the first urban winery in Portland, being a part of the LBGTQA community, making wine that is “serious wine, serious fun,” and the future of that section of the wine industry.

This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody and Stephanie Hofmann at the Hip Chicks Do Wine winery on June 14, 2016.