This interview is with Andrew Minor and Cassie Salinas of Andrew Minor Wines and Vino to the People. In this interview, Cassie and Andrew talk about growing up in Oregon, meeting in college, and eventually working in the wine industry together. Andrew and Cassie share each of their journeys to finding wine and touch on some of the great people and memories their time in the industry has brought. They then dive into their college days and how they met. Later in the interview, the couple talks about their careers and how they began Andrew Minor Wines. They then go on to talk about some of their proudest accomplishments and what they are looking forward to in the future. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 12, 2024 at the Oregon Wine Reserve in Lake Oswego.
This interview is with Taylor Rebora of Rebora Wines. In this interview, Taylor speaks about growing up in Chicago surrounded by a family of artists, and discovering wine as a viable path when choosing a college. She talks about her time at Cal Poly - learning by doing - and about her internships and experiences abroad while working in wine production.Later she talks about her experiences in New Zealand during 2020, and finding Oregon later that year while working a harvest at Antica Terra. From there she talks about the places in Oregon where she worked in production as well as her pivot into working in wine accounting. She also talks about making her first wine and what might come next.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 23, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.
This interview is with Karen Hinsdale of The Cellar Door. In this interview, Karen speaks about getting excited about the wine scene while living on the East Coast before coming to Oregon and getting into wine distribution with her then-husband Howard. She talks about her excitement at learning to sell wine alongside young Oregon families learning to make wine, and about her passion to support these young wine brands.She speaks about her time at Henny-Hinsdale Wholesaler, selling wines from Oregon and California as well as those from Europe. And she talks about many of the people she met and worked with, and watching the industry grow.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 16, 2024 at The Cellar Door in Portland.
This interview is with Dewey Kelly of Ribbon Ridge Vineyard. In this interview, Dewey speaks about his background as a chef, and later in high-tech and marketing. He talks about what initially attracted him to the Oregon wine industry and led to he and his wife Robin purchasing land for a potential vineyard.From there, he talks about the long process of getting grapes in the ground, eventually making his own wine, and finding his place in the industry. He talks about the growth of the Ribbon Ridge AVA and about the inspiration behind some of his wines and labels. And he talks about what comes next.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 12, 2024 at Ribbon Ridge Vineyard in Newberg.
This interview is with Tim and Pierre Paradis of Paradis Vineyards. In this interview, Tim and Pierre share about growing up around grape farming and how that shaped their current path in wine. Tim and Pierre talk about their parents starting Paradis Vineyards and what their childhood looked like. They then go on to share how they found their way back to the vines. The brothers also talk about their experience in learning to make and sell wine. Later in the interview, Tim and Pierre talk about building their tasting room and their future plans. The brothers also share what it is like working together day-in and day-out. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 7, 2024 at Paradis Vineyards in Silverton.
This interview is with John and Kathy Zelko of Z'ivo Wines. In this interview, John and Kathy speak about meeting in college and pursuing their primary careers: John as a surgeon, and Kathy as a lawyer. John speaks about finding wine as a fun and meaningful diversion, and about starting as a volunteer helper before starting to make his own wine.John and Kathy share stories of the trials and tribulations of making and selling their small label, as well as some of the people they worked with and became friends with. And they discuss how they saw the Oregon wine industry grow and evolve, as well as what led them to sell their vineyard in 2020.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 6, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.
This interview is with Laura Brennan Bissell of Inconnu and Aitia Wines. In this interview, Laura talks about her journeys abroad and how she eventually found her way to wine. Laura shares about growing up in Virginia and some of her early memories surrounding wine. She dives into her passion for scent and how wine entwines with this passion. She goes on to talk about her travels abroad and how she found herself working in the wine industry. Later in the interview, Laura talks about getting her own vineyard and starting her two labels. She then dives into her farming and wine philosophies. Laura leaves us with her proudest accomplishment and some words of wisdom. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 5, 2024 at Laura’s home in the Columbia Gorge.
This interview is with Patrick McElligott. In this interview, Patrick shares about his journey to wine and some of his many stories and memories from the industry. Patrick talks about growing up around agriculture and farming. He then shares how he found a love for learning while in college and how he soon discovered there is always something to learn with wine. Later in the interview he shares about his time working for Myron Redford and some of his favorite memories and adventures. He also talks about his connections to Chemeketa and some of the wine programs he has been a part of. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 2, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.
This interview is with Adam Rack of Revino Bottles. In this interview, Adam speaks about his early work in the wine industry and becoming interested in the idea of reusable wine containers while working at Coopers Hall in Portland. He then talks about meeting Keenan O'Hern and working with him to start Revino Bottles.Adam talks about the milestones so far with Revino, including all the conversations with the industry and research to make sure Revino was working alongside the industry to make a product that would be useful and used. He then talks about what comes next, and what his boldest ambitions are for Revino.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 31, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.
This interview is with Adam Rack of Revino Bottles. In this interview, Adam speaks about his early work in the wine industry and becoming interested in the idea of reusable wine containers while working at Coopers Hall in Portland. He then talks about meeting Keenan O'Hern and working with him to start Revino Bottles.Adam talks about the milestones so far with Revino, including all the conversations with the industry and research to make sure Revino was working alongside the industry to make a product that would be useful and used. He then talks about what comes next, and what his boldest ambitions are for Revino.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 31, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.
This interview is with Keenan O’Hern of Revino. In this interview, Keenan talks about his path to help bring a reusable bottle system to the United States. Keenan shares about growing up and how he split his time between Oregon and the Netherlands. He goes on to discuss how his time in the Netherlands influenced his environmental beliefs about bottle reusing. Before Keenan dives into all things Revino, he talks about his time at college and the different jobs he had before Revino. Later in the interview, Keenan shares about some of the challenges Revino and reusable wine bottles have faced since coming to the United States. He then goes on to talk about what the Revino name is meant to symbolize and some of his hopes for the company.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 31, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.
This interview is with Dave Parker of Benchmark Wine Group. In this interview, Dave speaks about moving to California to work in Silicon Valley, finding a passion for wine, and following it to purchasing a vineyard. From there he talks about becoming aware of Oregon wine, and coming to Oregon to buy a vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills.Along the way, though, he had started Brentwood Wine Auctions and then Benchmark Wine Group, specializing in finding and brokering rare and collectible wines. He talks about growing that business, finding wines and customers, and some of the ways in which his business operates. He also talks about how the business is changing and what comes next.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 30, 2024 in Vancouver, Wash.
This interview is with Carl Formaker, the winemaker for Domaine Serene. In this interview, Carl talks about his journey to finding a passion and career in wine. Carl talks about growing up in California surrounded by vines. He shares about growing up around wine, but not viewing it as a career until later in life. Carl goes on to talk about his college days in California and studying to pursue a career in the medical field. Later in the interview, Carl shares how he found a passion for wine. He talks about initial harvests and how he became hooked on the wine industry and people involved in it. Carl then goes on to share how he found himself in Oregon making wine. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 29, 2024 at Domaine Serene Winery in Dayton.
This interview is with Steve Whiteside of Bella Vida 360. In this interview, Steve speaks about his early life and first career in orthotics and prosthetics. He talks about meeting Jim and Loie Maresh and being instantly captivated by the Oregon wine industry.He then talks about embarking on his 25-year plan of buying property, installing a vineyard, building a tasting room, and starting a brand. He speaks about meeting winemakers and grapegrowers and becoming part of the wine community in the Dundee Hills.Finally, he speaks about selling his vineyard in 2021 and starting Bella Vida 360 in Yamhill. He talks about the appeal of the space and his plans for tasting experiences and events at the top of the hill.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 29, 2024 at Bella Vida 360 in Yamhill.
This interview is with Erin Brooks. In this interview, Erin talks about finding a career in the wine industry that marries her passions for writing and wine. Erin talks about growing up in North Carolina and her first memory of accidently trying her mom’s white wine as a kid. She shares about her early passion for all things writing and how this passion pushed her to attend college in New Mexico. She goes on to talk about working in nice restaurants throughout college and how it was through this upscale dining scene that she was introduced to wine. Later in the interview, Erin shares about finding her current position at The Wine Advocate. She also talks about some of the changes she hopes to see in the industry and what she is looking ahead to personally. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 25, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.
This interview is with Julia Coney of Black Wine Professionals. In this interview, Julia speaks about coming to wine as her third career. She speaks about her work as a legal assistant and her first pivot as a beauty blogger. She then talks about her discovery of wine, and her increasing passion for it.Her epiphany came when she realized wine wasn't designed for her to be part of the industry, and she immediately strove to change that. She talks about her work as a wine writer, a mentor, and a connector. She also speaks about her work with American Airlines and about her desire to make wine and wine pairings fun and approachable for everyone as a way to excite and entice new drinkers. Lastly, she talks about her connection to Oregon and her beliefs about the future of the Oregon wine industry.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 28, 2024 at Linfield University in McMinnville.
This interview is with Steven Sinkler of Puffin Wines and The Wine Shack. In this interview, Steven shares about finding wine and how he came to own The Wine Shack and the Puffin Wines label. Steven talks about growing up in Green Bay and how he didn’t find wine until later in life. He shares about finding his passion for wine and how it spurred him to become part of the industry. He then discusses attending a three year wine program.Later in the interview, Steven shares about finding The Wine Shack on Craig’s List. He also talks about taking over the Puffin Wines label. Before he leaves, Steven shares some of his hope for both his shop and label. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 24, 2024 at The Wine Shack in Cannon Beach.
This interview is with Matty Colston of Colston Biblio. In this interview, Matty speaks about his wine journey, from growing up in Ohio to opening his own bar in Kentucky to eventually moving to Chicago and working in a variety of restaurants there. He talks about learning wine along the way and finding kindred spirits among the wine community.From there, he talks about taking a chance on himself and coming to Oregon to work a harvest. That helped launch his brand, and he talks about the growth and challenges since then.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 22 in Portland.
This interview is with Meghan Olivier of St. Merry Vineyard. In this interview, Meghan shares about her love for agriculture and how this passion led her to wine. Meghan talks about growing up in Alabama and running wild in the forest. She goes on to share how this young love for the outdoors shaped her career path. She then talks about how she met her husband and how they both got invested in wine because it combined their different passions.Later in the interview, Meghan talks about her journey in starting St. Merry Vineyard. She then shares about her regenerative farming practices and philosophies. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on July 23, 2024 at St. Merry Vineyard in Dallas.
This interview is with Tim and Kari Ramey of Zenith Vineyard. In this interview, Tim and Kari share about how they turned their passion for wine into a successful business.Tim and Kari talk about being raised as Seattle kids and how they ended up together in college. They then share about their time spent on the East Coast, as Tim worked on Wall Street. Tim and Kari share about finding passion for wine while on the East Coast through their themed dinners with friends. Later in the interview, the couple discusses how they came to be in Oregon. They dive into finding, buying, and cultivating Zenith Vineyard. They then talk about their hopes for themselves, Oregon wine, and their business. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Zenith Vineyard in Salem, Oregon on July 17, 2024.