The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

By The Oregon Wine History ArchiveSociety & Culture

The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast episodes

February 21, 2023 Bill Blosser: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Bill Blosser, one of the founders of Sokol Blosser Winery. In this interview, he discusses what it was like being one of the first people to make wine in Oregon, land use in the state, and the future of the wine industry in Oregon.
This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody at Jereld R. Nicholson Library at Linfield College on January 8, 2016.
1 hr 16 min
February 21, 2023 Earl Jones: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Earl Jones of Abacela Winery. In this interview, Earl discusses the early wine industry history in the region and his own involvement in the industry. In addition to the history of Abacela and the regional wine industry, the Earl reflects upon the identity of Southern Oregon wines and which varietals are suited for the Southern Oregon climate.
This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody at Abacela Winery on June 6, 2013.
28 min
February 21, 2023 Joe, Pat, Anna, and Adam Campbell: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Joe, Pat, Anna, and Adam Campbell, of Elk Cove Vineyards. The Campbell family are one of Oregon’s earliest winemaking families. In 1973, Pat and Joe Campbell moved their young family from Parkdale, Oregon to Gaston, Oregon to establish Elk Cove Vineyards. What happens after is what Joe and Pat describe as a “year of discovery,” as they teach themselves how to farm and become winegrowers.
The first half of the interview focuses on Pat and Joe Campbell’s origins in the wine industry, the formation of the early wine industry organization, and stories of their struggles and successes in the early days of the Oregon wine industry. In the second half of the interview, Pat and Joe are joined by two of their children, Adam and Anna, who are now involved in the winemaking and marketing aspects of Elk Cove. Together the family discusses what makes great wine, how the industry has changed from one generation to the next, and they share their thoughts on where the Oregon wine industry may be headed in the future.
This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody and Camille Weber at Elk Cove Vineyards on December 2, 2015.
2 hr 3 min
February 21, 2023 Paul Johnson: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Paul Johnson of Satyr Fire Wine. In this interview, Paul speaks about discovering a passion for wine, diving deep into the topic, and eventually deciding he needed to be in Oregon to be fully immersed. He talks about his initial work at Duck Pond Cellars, which enabled him to work on both the business side and in the cellar.
From there, he talks about his formative time with Alit/Rose & Arrow, and starting his own brand Satyr Fire. He speaks at length about the Oregon wine community, and what he hopes to contribute to the industry and its success.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on February 16, 2023.
1 hr 33 min
February 16, 2023 Stephen Cary: Oral History Interview
Stephen Cary is the winemaker at Yamhill Valley Vineyards in McMinnville, Oregon. Cary has left many impressive marks on the wine industry during his time thus far, including the founding of the Steamboat Conference and organizing the Burgundy Challenge. He knew early on that a normal 9-5 job was not the right path for him and has since been involved in the industry as a wine seller, buyer and maker. Cary makes his wine with the philosophy that the grapes tell him how to deal with them. To Cary, a significant aspect that differs Oregon wines from other parts of the world is the terroir.
In this interview, Cary shares his experiences in the wine industry with people and place where he has been involved. Cary discusses the significance of soil types and the differences in the regions of the Willamette Valley AVA. As a final thought, Cary recalls the important roles that Yamhill Valley Vineyards has played, not only on his career, but for the industry as a whole.
54 min
February 14, 2023 Morgan and Jessica Broadley: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Morgan and Jessica Broadley of Broadley Vineyards. In this interview, Morgan and Jessica speak about their growing interest in wine, and taking over as the second generation at Broadley Vineyards. Morgan talks about growing up with his parents in the industry, and having to develop his own passion for wine, while Jessica talks about her growing role and the entrepreneuership she has brought to the business.
Both talk about the joys and challenges of working with family, and about the difficulties of the past few years for everyone in the industry. And they share stories of the adventures they've had in the Oregon wine industry.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Broadley Vineyards on February 8, 2023.
1 hr 17 min
February 13, 2023 Colleen Kenny: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Colleen Kenny of Waverley Country Club. In this interview, Colleen speaks about finding her way into wine after growing up in Chicago, and about working in production and hospitality within the industry. She describes coming to Oregon and finding her community here while working as a harvest intern and with Italian-focused wine lists at Portland-area restaurants.
She also talks about coming to work at Waverley, and about how she builds wine lists with a focus on both classical and under-the-radar wines.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Waverley Country Club in Portland on February 7, 2023.
41 min
February 09, 2023 Craig And Claudia Broadley: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Craig and Claudia Broadley of Broadley Vineyards. In this interview, Craig and Claudia speak about growing up in Sacramento, getting intrigued by wine while living in San Francisco, and eventually following a dream of Pinot Noir to Oregon, finding land and starting Broadley Vineyards in the 1980s.
They tell stories of wine-related adventures, including some harrowing moments installing their original vineyard. They also talk about the transition to their son (Morgan) and his wife (Jessica) taking over the business, and how Broadley has grown and expanded. Finally, they talk about what they're proudest of from their wine journey so far.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Broadley Vineyards in Monroe on February 8, 2023.
1 hr 26 min
February 07, 2023 Lisette Hrapmann: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Lisette Hrapmann of Day Wines and Fizzy Lizzy Wines. In this interview, Lisette speaks about growing up in New Orleans and having wine as part of her life before she appreciated it or saw it as part of her future. She talks about her formative first harvest in California and her work in a variety of places before finding her way to Oregon in 2020.
Lisette talks about working for a variety of winemakers while also developing her own Fizzy Lizzy Swampwater, a serious wine with a fun name. She talks about her various roles and what led her to work at Day Wines, as well as what she's looking forward to.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Day Wines on February 1, 2023.
37 min
January 30, 2023 Clay Wesson: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Clay Wesson of Willamette Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Clay speaks about his education and early work in horticulture, and his eventual transition into viticulture specifically. His work led him into biodynamics and stewardship of the land.
He talks about bringing that skillset to Willamette Valley Vineyards' new project Domaine Willamette, and working to transition the vineyard on site toward biodynamic farming while thinking about how to scale that work as well. He also talks about what he's seen in the Oregon wine industry and about the future of sustainability and biodynamics.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Domaine Willamette in Dayton on January 18, 2023.
1 hr 42 min