The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

This interview is with Whitney Schubert of Polaner Selections. In this interview, Whitney speaks about coming to Linfield as a student and finding an interest in the local wine industry. From there she talks about getting into wine sales and distribution before taking over as the executive director of the International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC).

She talks at length about her time with IPNC, as well as her decision to leave and move to New York to work with Polaner. She also talks about watching Linfield's wine program grow and what comes next for her.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on August 30, 2022.

This interview is with Anthony Sereni of Flâneur Wines. In this interview, Anthony speaks about his experience in wine, an industry he found his passion for while rollerblading. He tells us how he made a friend who was both a skateboarder and a winemaker - he was the one who helped introduce Anthony to the wonderful world of wine. Anthony goes on to talk about his work in New Zealand, at Archery Summit, and at OSU. He also recounts jobs as a cellar hand, a laboratory intern, and working harvests. Later, Anthony describes his role as assistant winemaker at Flâneur Wines and shares his thoughts on Oregon’s wine community.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Flâneur Wines in Carlton on June 29th, 2022.

This interview is with Bill Holloran of Holloran Vineyard Wines. In this interview, Bill speaks about how he went from living on the East Coast managing property to owning a vineyard and making wine in Oregon. He describes his discovery of the land that is now Holloran Vineyard and discusses his involvement in the “garagiste” winemaking movement in 1999 Oregon. Bill also talks about the wine community he found in Oregon and what his favorite experiences have been so far. Later, Bill tells us about working with wine in 2020 and the recent projects he is working on for Holloran Vineyard.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Holloran Tasting Room in Dundee on July 7, 2022.

This interview is with Mark Huff and Jill Zarnowitz of Stag Hollow Wines. In this interview, Mark and Jill speak about finding a passion for wine and following it to learning how to make wine, then eventually planting grapes and starting Stag Hollow.

They also talk about their careers working in science and nature, and how they balanced their time between their various passions and jobs. And they talk at length about their wine and vineyard practices and the reasons behind many of their decisons.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Stag Hollow on August 26, 2022.

This interview is with Angus James of Broadway Wine Merchants. In this interview, Angus speaks about getting into the wine sales business at a very early age thanks to his in-laws’ grocery business and about learning the business of wine from that side.

He also talks about building relationships with many of the early producers in the state and how he’s seen the Oregon wine industry grow and change, as well as how his business has evolved.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Broadway Wine Merchants in Eugene on July 28, 2022.

This interview is with Andrew Kirkland of Ruby Vineyard. In this interview, Andrew speaks about finding his way into wine and some influential times spent in Beaujolais and Australia as he was learning the industry.

He also talks about finding his way to Oregon and eventually to Ruby, and his mentors and experiences along the way, along with what he’s looking forward to in the future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Ruby Vineyard on August 9, 2022.

This interview is with Vanessa Hadick of Double Tap Marketing. In this interview, Vanessa speaks about working in different regions of the wine world. She describes the places she’s been during her travels, which includes her work and education in California and Australia. She goes over how why she settled in Oregon and what her first impressions were of Oregon’s wine industry. She goes on to describe her experience at Sokol Blosser, where she worked on their marketing. From there, Vanessa discusses Double Tap Marketing, the wine marketing consulting company she began. She explains the value of effective marketing in the wine world, especially when society was quarantined. She emphasizes the importance of digital marketing and the use of social media, and she shares how her work uses media platforms to help and educate wine companies.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in Dundee on July 28, 2021.

This interview is with Amy Streger of Endless Season Wine. Amy talks about her love of wine and desire to make her own project, especially after she met with the powerhouse duo behind Landmass Wines and got to work with them.

She also talks about her background in marketing and advertising, and some of the projects she's worked on, as well as all the details that go into designing a wine brand.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Amy's home in Portland on April 25, 2022.

This interview is with Alisa Le of Authentique Wine Cellars. In this interview, Alisa shares what it is like being a female winemaker in the Oregon wine industry. She compares the different jobs and experiences she’s had so far and talks about her intentions when it comes to creating wine. Alisa also speaks about her future goals and gives advice to those curious about working in the wine industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Keeler Estate Vineyard in Amity on June 16th, 2022.

This interview is with Alan Mitchell of Territorial Vineyards and Wine Company. In this interview, Alan speaks about finding wine completely by accident and sticking with the industry even though it wasn't what he had planned or expected.

He talks about his working in developing vineyards and transitioning into winemaking as well, and about the establishment and growth of Territorial, as well as the changes and evolution he's seen in the Oregon wine industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Alan's home in Junction City on July 29, 2022.