The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Edwin Martinis of Mitchell Wine Group and Threemile Vineyard. In this interview, Edwin speaks about finding the wine industry by accident while he was teaching and coaching football, and about being immediately intrigued by wine and the wine industry.

He talks about his work selling wine and managing at a variety of places, and what brought him to Mitchell Wine Group. He also talks about his work at MWG and the purchase of Threemile Vineyard, and what comes next for him and his team.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Mitchell Wine Group in Portland on August 24, 2022.

This interview is with Jacob Sembler of Fayetta Vineyard. In this interview, Jacob speaks about his interest in wine and biodynamics, and how he found himself in Oregon and getting into the wine industry.

He also talks about places like Brooks and Brick House where he has worked, and about starting his own vineyard project. He also talks about the future for his work and what he hopes to accomplish.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Fayetta Vineyard in McMinnville on August 3, 2022.

This interview is with Jake Pippin of Multnomah Wine Studio. In this interview, Jake speaks about his journey through the world of wine. He goes over his work at Wines of Chile and discusses how the Chilean wine industry has grown. He also considers how Chile may change as its wine culture develops. Jake takes us through his wine education, both formal and informal, and also describes his other jobs in the industry, including his role at Penner-Ash Wine Cellars and Fetzer Vineyards.

Later, Jake speaks about the nature of the Oregon Wine Industry and how products are sold and consumed. He also shares his opinions on where Oregon is successful, as well as what he’d like to see change. At the end, he talks about Multnomah Wine Studio and what he has planned for that project going forward.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Nicholson Library in McMinnville on June 9, 2021.

This interview is with Janis Pate with Arlyn Vineyard. She spoke about her time working in risk management at Disney, and what led her to join the wine industry. Janis described why she ended up in Oregon, and how she chose the land and varieties. She spoke of her initial goals for Arlyn Vineyard, and about her decision to farm biodynamicaly.

Later, Janis spoke about the affects of the Pandemic and the 2020 fires during harvest, as well as the challenges that come with being a new brand. She gave her advice for starting a brand and joining the wine industry. Towards the end of the interview she looked to her future, and spoke about some of her greatest accomplishments so far.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Arlyn Vineyard on May 25, 2021.

This interview is with Jarad Hadi of Grape Ink Wines. In this interview, Jarad begins speaking about his interests before wine, including poetry, snowboarding, and traveling. He then talks about his initial interest in the wine industry and describes how he made his first wine. He goes on to discuss his wine and viticulture education in Bordeaux and what it was like getting his first jobs in the industry.

Later, Jarad speaks about why he chose to come to Oregon and begin his own vineyard. He talks about the nature of Oregon Wine and what it was like finding clients. He goes over his philosophy of wine making and grape growing, emphasizing the process of learning patience. He describes making wines for the future that can represent different years, in short, creating “living time capsules.”

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at North Plains on May 4, 2021.

This interview is with Jason Brumley of Cana’s Feast and formerly of Xylem Wines. In this interview, Jason speaks about his upbringing, and why he ended up in Oregon. He explains his philosophy of winemaking, and how it has developed and changed throughout the years. In the second part of the interview, Jason demonstrates the weather and climate conditions that affect the wine industry in Oregon.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in McMinnville on August 17, 2021.

This interview is with Jeff Meader of Eminent Domaine. In this interview, Jeff talks about growing up near Ribbon Ridge on a farm and falling in love with that lifestyle. He speaks about attending college for business, yet taking agricultural courses and goes on to describe his time working in commercial real estate.

Later, Jeff discusses his discovery of the Oregon wine world and the formation of Eminent Domaine. He also shares the story behind its name. The phrase Eminent Domaine is a legal term meaning “the right of a government to claim private property for public use with financial compensation.” As Jeff describes, this is what happened to one of his old properties and is what funded the creation of the winery by the same name. He also speaks about the community he is a part of and what makes this an industry worth working in. At the end, Jeff talks about the recent challenges Oregon wine has faced as well as the future he is working towards for his brand.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Eminent Domaine in Newberg on June 14, 2022.

This interview is with Jerry Gilmer of Abbey Wine Warehouse. In this interview, Jerry speaks about his life before wine, growing up in Oregon on a farm in Canby and later joining the National Guard. He goes on to describe how he got swept away by the wine world and began his work in the industry by storing wine. He talks about problem-solving, growing the business at Abbey Wine Warehouse, and learning about winemaking. He shares stories about meeting winemakers, cellar rats, and others in the wine community. Jerry also talks about how he has seen Oregon wine change and what his life is like now that he’s not as involved in the industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Jerry’s house on June 22nd, 2022.

This interview is with Jess and Paden West of Approachment Wine Co. In this interview, the couple speak about their various experiences in the wine industry and their current projects. The couple met when they were lab partners in a chemistry course while studying wine in the NW Wine Studies program, from there they both have had successful careers. Jess talks about her time learning sales and working in tasting rooms. She describes her internship at Bethel Heights Vineyard and her current role as winemaker for Drew Voit of Harper Voit, as well as her work making wine for other labels. Paden also discusses his wine path, starting out with his work in tasting rooms and accepting an internship at Penner-Ash. He talks about his mentors in the industry and goes over his positions at De Ponte Winery, Lavinea, and his current one at Benza Vineyards.

Later, the couple talk about the label they started together: Approachment Wine Co. They speak about where the idea arose, their goals for the brand, and how they work together. Jess and Paden also share what it was like trying to begin their business in 2020 amid COVID and the Oregon fires.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Nicholson Library in McMinnville on June 21st, 2022.

This interview is with Jess Pierce. In this interview, Jess speaks about her experience traveling Italy and Germany, and the people that inspired her to enter the wine industry. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her moving to Portland began her love for wine in the Oregon community.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Road's End State Park in Lincoln City on August 12, 2021.