The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

By The Oregon Wine History ArchiveSociety & Culture

The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast episodes

October 27, 2022 Ted Lemon: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Ted Lemon of Littorai Wines. Ted describes his wine journey, beginning in 1981 in France at the Université de Dijon where he studied enology. He talks about his experience working for a Burgundian estate and goes on to explain why he later moved to California. Even though Ted currently resides at his Sonoma Coast winery, he consults for wineries across California, Oregon, and even New Zealand. In fact, he was the original consulting winemaker for Gary Andrus at Archery Summit, and has also worked with Weber Vineyard and Fuqua Vineyard.
Ted compares the French, Californian, and Oregonian wine communities and also goes over what it is like running his own winery. Later, Ted talks about his winemaking philosophy and his passion for biodynamic viticulture. He also speaks about generative agriculture and his vineyard management style when it comes to growing his own Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties. At the end, Ted talks about the future of Littorai Wines and what plans are in the works.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt over Zoom on June 6th, 2022.
1 hr 38 min
October 27, 2022 Ben & Carrie Martin: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Ben and Carrie Martin of Dauntless Wine Cø. In this interview, the couple speak about how they became a part of the Oregon Wine Industry. They begin by talking about their life before wine including how they met, Ben’s service in the military, and their education. Then they describe their initial interest in the wine industry and how the idea of Dauntless Wine Cø surfaced. They go over building their business, what their mission for their brand is, and what current projects they are working on. Later, they discuss the impact of COVID-19 and what they hope for in their future.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Hartley Hill in Gaston on May 18, 2021.
1 hr 15 min
October 27, 2022 Ben Howe: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Ben Howe of Stoller Wine Group. In this interview, Ben speaks about his history in the winemaking world. He talks about moving to Oregon from the Midwest and attending Oregon State University where he graduated with a Bachelors in Fermentation Science. He also describes his experience working in the California and Southern India Wine Industries. Later, Ben discusses he role as Vice President of Operations at Stoller and talks about some of his more recent projects.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Stoller Family Estate in Dayton on July 6, 2022.
1 hr 34 min
October 27, 2022 Ben Holland: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Ben Holland of Left Coast Cellars. In this interview, Ben shares how he got into wine and some of the lessons he’s learned throughout his years working at many different Oregon wineries.
Later in the interview, he goes on to talk about the challenges in 2020 that came with the pandemic and other changes he’s noticed in the industry.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University Nicholson Library on June 13, 2022.
1 hr 21 min
October 27, 2022 Tai-Ran Niew: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Tai-Ran Niew of Niew Vineyards. In the interview, Tai-Ran takes us through his journey so far, which includes his time before wine. Prior to entering the Wine Industry, Tai-Ran studied aeronautical engineering at Cambridge and worked as an investment banker. During trips abroad he discovered more about wine and his interest continued to grow. Tai-Ran specifically describes his time and work in Tasmania and why that experience inspired him to start making wine in Oregon.
From there, Tai-Ran discusses Niew Vineyard and what that project has been like. He goes over selecting and designing his label and what the process was of building his brand. He also talks about finding the land, choosing to make Chardonnay, and defining his vineyard and winemaking philosophy. He discusses Masanobu Fukuoka, who inspired his vineyard philosophy and what impact that has had on the land and vines. At the end, he shares his thoughts on the wine industry and what future he’d like to see for himself and Niew Vineyards.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Niew Vineyards in Newberg on July 23, 2021.
1 hr 33 min
October 27, 2022 Tim Rippa: Oral History Interview
This Oral History Interview is with Tim Rippa of Petit Monde Wine Merchants. Tim talks about his introduction to the wine industry and his path through in Oregon, including restaurants, production and distribution. He also talks about the challenges of building wine lists and selling wine, and the projects he's working on now.
Tim concludes by talking about the changes he's seen in the Oregon wine industry and what might come next.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on February 7, 2022 at Angel Face in Portland.
1 hr 3 min
October 27, 2022 Timothy Nishimoto: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Timothy Nishimoto. In this interview, Timothy speaks about his love for food and wine and how he became the wine buyer for Made in Oregon stores. Timothy has loved singing since he was young and has been a member of the band Pink Martini since 2003.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Timothy’s home on February 18, 2022.
1 hr 17 min
October 27, 2022 Travis Cook: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Travis Cook who is the owner of Copper Belt Winery in the Snake River Valley AVA.
In this interview Travis talks about his start in the wine industry, making wine in this AVA, his wine making philosophies and the future for Oregon wine.
This interview took place on April 20th, 2016 in the Austin Reading Room at Linfield College by Camille Weber and Rachael Woody.
1 hr 57 min
October 27, 2022 Todd Hansen: Oral History Interview
This Oral History Interview is with Todd Hansen of Longplay Wine. Todd describes his growing interest in wine leading to his purchasing a vineyard, and learning viticulture (and later winemaking) along the way. He adds insights about the Oregon wine industry and the people who helped him along the way.
Todd also speaks about the intersection of wine and music and about the future of his brand and his new space in Newberg.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on February 2, 2022 at Longplay Wines in Newberg.
1 hr 26 min
October 27, 2022 Tom Caruso: Oral History Interview
This interview is with Tom Caruso of Pray Tell Wines. In this interview, Tom shares the journey of Pray Tell, including how the label got its name. He talks about his life before wine back when he edited psychology books and then goes into his exploration into the Oregon wine world. He also speaks about his childhood where he helped his father make wine in Philadelphia. Later, Tom describes his wine education so far, talks about the different blends he’s experimented with, and let’s us know what he sees in the future of Oregon wine. Also at the end, Tom answers the very important question: Pat’s or Geno’s? This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Pray Tell Wines in McMinnville on June 9th, 2022.
1 hr 20 min