The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast

The Oregon Wine History Archive
  • 4.8 (13)
  • Society & Culture

The Oregon Wine History Archive at Linfield University was created to collect, preserve, share, and continue the narrative of Oregon wine. The growth of the Oregon wine industry extends from the farmers and winemakers to the marketers, scientists, innovators, and dreamers of the enterprise — all of whom are vital to the industry’s success. It is our aim to link the past, present, and future of the industry in hopes of sharing the story of Oregon wine. Some oral history interviews are conducted on site and may contain background noise from nature, winery, or tasting room operations.

  1. Aug 27

    Alberto Alcazar: Oral History Interview

    This interview is with Alberto Alcazar of Lanphere Cellars. In this interview, Alberto discusses joining the Oregon wine industry in the late 90s and how it has changed over time. Alberto talks about moving to Oregon in 1993 and starting in the industry. Alberto moved from California to Oregon in search for good education for his family. During this time, Alberto discovered his loved of Oregon Pinot Noir and took the opportunity to be on the bottling line for Ken Wright in 1997. From there, Alberto was hired full-time and continued working at Ken Wright for the next 20 years. In 1998, Alberto started taking winemaking and vineyard management courses at Chemeketa during the pioneer phase of the program. Alberto notes that he had to learn English alongside the course material. Alberto discusses working with Ken Wright and his development in the cellar. For a long time, Alberto was in the role of cellar master as Ken’s right-hand. Alberto was heavily involved in the winemaking and learned to trust the taste of the grapes. Alberto explains his enjoyment of seeing the transformation from vines to glass. While working at Ken Wright, Alberto helped create the Armonéa Wines label in 2008. After almost a decade, Alberto purchased the Armonéa inventory in 2017. In 2018, Alberto joined forced with Bob Lanphere Jr. as the vineyard manager and winemaker of Lanphere Cellars. Later in the interview, Alberto talks about the future at Lanphere and what wine means to him. Alberto believes that it is more important to increase the quality of wine rather than making more of it. Alberto plans to continuously increase the quality of the wines he makes. Alberto loves when his wines are making people happy. To Alberto, wine is about friends and family. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Lanphere Cellars in Aurora on August 25, 2026.

  2. Aug 26

    David Andreani: Oral History Interview

    This interview is with David Andreani of Cherry Hill Winery. In this interview, David discusses his beginnings within the wine industry in France and continuing that journey in America. David talks about his entrance into the wine industry. David’s good friend’s parents owned a vineyard in the south of France and David was asked to help out when times were stressful. David happily agreed to help because he got free food, free lodging, and free wine. David started with vineyard maintenance until he asked to work a harvest in 2002. From there, David did some picking and carrying and eventually was named the chief of harvest. When the winemaker left, David stepped into that role as well. After 10 years of working for that winery, David made the move to the U.S. David discusses his adventures in the U.S. and his transition to Oregon. Starting in North Carolina and Montana, David worked as a landscaper, bike/ski tech, and even a chocolatier. During this time, David would go back to France every harvest to continue nurturing his passion for wine. When his then girlfriend was looking to get her PhD, David insisted she find a school in wine country, thus David ended up in Oregon. After dropping off resumes at many different wineries, David settled at Cherry Hill as the winemaker in 2018. Even after 8 years at Cherry Hill, David notes the difficulties of working in an American winery. Along with the amount of cleaning, David still has trouble converting the metrics he is used to. Later in the interview, David talks about his future outside of Oregon. David is making the move to Yakima, Washington where he plans to continue his winemaking career. David believes that change has always suited him and it’s time for another adventure. Along with his new work, David has goals of making wine just for fun for himself. He hasn’t yet been able to make wine just how he likes it, but he cannot wait to make the wine perfect for him. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Cherry Hill Winery in Rickreall on August 24, 2026.

  3. Aug 26

    Eliseo Bell-Uribe: Oral History Interview

    This interview is with Eliseo Bell-Uribe of Heartland Ciderworks. In this interview, Eliseo discusses his experiences within the traditional cider industry. Eliseo talks about his decision to join the cider industry. Throughout the years, cider has always been Eliseo’s favorite alcoholic beverage to enjoy. During Eliseo’s experimentation trying fermented beverages, he was studying economics at Oregon State University in hopes of going into governmental economics. When that didn’t pan out as he expected, he decided to dive head-first into the cider industry. Eliseo had been working at a farm market that grew apples and produced traditional cider. After using some of those apples to make his own “laundry bucket cider,” Eliseo spent some time as a cidermaker at Bauman’s Cider Company until he went on to create his own brand. Eliseo discusses starting Heartland on his own. Eliseo’s goal was to showcase what cider can be. Heartland focuses on traditional cidermaking, meaning it has more tannins, higher acids, is not as sweet, and is unflavored. Eliseo actually rents floor space at a winery to make his cider. With a lack of proper equipment, Eliseo uses winery equipment to crush his fruit and store his cider. Currently, Eliseo does everything himself to produce Heartland ciders. Eliseo plans to keep the operation small as long as possible and make slow, steady growth. However, Eliseo has goals of adding balsamic vinegar and non-alcoholic cider to his inventory.  Later in the interview, Eliseo talks about the legal struggles that he comes across when producing a traditional cider brand. In the current climate, Eliseo believes there is a hole in the market for traditional cider. He explains that it is difficult to get his products into retail stores and restaurants even after winning multiple awards from Northwest Cider Cup. Eliseo also expresses his opinions on frustrating cider laws that prohibit cider labels from featuring the vintage and growing region. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in McMinnville on August 20, 2026.

  4. Aug 24

    Will Craigie: Oral History Interview

    This interview is with Will Craigie of Bryn Mawr Vineyards. In this interview, Will discusses the many pivots he took that led him to the wine industry. Will talks about his beginnings as a musician and performer. In the late 90s and early 2000s, Will performed in an acoustic rock band as a guitar player. After many incredible experiences within the music industry, Will decided he needed a lifestyle change in 2006. During his time as a musician, Will worked in restaurants on the side. After leaving the music industry, Will continued working in restaurants in the kitchen, guiding the chaos of service. Later, Will started working in a kitchen at a wine tasting venue where he learned a lot about wine through making wine lists and taking opportunities to help on the line. Will discusses his transition to Oregon and the wine industry. Will’s boss at the restaurant had sent Will on a trip to the Willamette Valley to taste wines and bring back to the restaurant. Will was captured by Oregon and decided to make another pivot into the Oregon wine industry, not at a winery, but as a wine tour driver. Will started his own wine tour company and took people across the valley for tastings, frequently visiting Bryn Mawr. When Will’s business went under during the pandemic in 2020, he started working part-time at Bryn Mawr as a cellar assistant. By 2021, Will was brought on full-time as a cellar assistant and before that harvest was over, he was named cellar master. In 2022, Will transitioned into an assistant winemaker role. Later in the interview, Will talks about his future and the future of the Oregon wine industry. Will is happy at Bryn Mawr and does not plan on going anywhere. Will believes he still has more to learn at Bryn Mawr, specifically the vineyard side of things. As for the wine industry, Will trusts that things will regenerate as they have done in the past. He has hopes for the future for himself and the industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Bryn Mawr Vineyards in Salem on August 19, 2026.

  5. Aug 20

    Elishca Charles: Oral History Interview

    This interview is with Elishca Charles of Kann. In this interview, Elishca discusses her journey through hospitality and what it means to her. Elishca talks about her early aspirations of becoming a military doctor, studying public health in college. When Elishca realized that career might not bring her the most joy, she started working in restaurants and never left. Elishca started learning about wine with her coworkers and continued educating herself from there. After the pandemic, that restaurant could not keep her in the same capacity, so she switched to the hotel industry as a food and beverage manager where she got experience in event planning. Throughout this time, Elishca was growing her wine knowledge and wanted to work in a winery. Visiting Oregon awhile back, Elishca decided to make the move in 2023 and secured a job at Domaine Serene. Elishca discusses her experiences within the Willamette Valley and her transition to Kann. Elishca had always loved Oregon Pinot Noir and grew a deeper appreciation for the Willamette Valley working for Domaine Serene. She hoped people left the winery feeling curious to try more wines and exposed to what is in our backyard. From there, Elishca was offered the opportunity to interview with Kann for a general manager position. Elishca had dined at Kann previously, and had dreamed of working there. Kann combined Elishca’s Haitian culture and the food she grew up eating with her love of wine.  Later in the interview, Elishca talks about what hospitality means to her. Elishca defines hospitality as an unwritten and unspoken language. She believes that hospitality is felt immediately when walking into a new place. She notes an experience she had with her grandmother in Haiti who did not share the same language. Elishca explains that her grandmother communicated through food and hospitality, something she takes with her throughout the industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Kann in Portland on August 18, 2026.

  6. Aug 19

    Carrie Higgins: Oral History Interview

    This interview is with Carrie Higgins of Press Printing & Packaging. In this interview, Carrie discusses her part within the wine industry and starting her own company. Carrie talks about looking for a relationship-based career right out of college. In 1993, Carrie started as a sales rep for a wine labeling company after finding the role in a newspaper. After building relationships within the wine industry, Carrie knew she found her people. At the time, she was working with the pioneers of the industry and making connections with the future generations of the Oregon wine industry.  Becoming enamored with the wine industry, Carrie helped build a printing company’s successful labeling division until she starting her own company in 2020. Carrie discusses what drove her to start her own company. Although at a successful company, Carrie felt limited in what she could offer to her partners. She created Press to help out the little guys. She found ways to save costs on printing and was able to give specialized services to individual wine brands. Unique to Press, Carrie works with about seven different print partners to give each client exactly what they need at a fair price. Carrie’s biggest success story is A to Z. Carrie has been with A to Z since the beginning and has helped grow the brand into what it is today through labeling.  Later in the interview, Carrie talks about her perspective on the current climate of the industry. While she predicts consolidation and closure of wineries, she is optimistic about the future. Carrie believes people are not going to stop drinking wine and the industry isn’t going anywhere. Although the industry is not experiencing the huge growth of previous years, the exponential growth was not sustainable. While the industry is looking for every way to save money during this time, Carrie predicts Oregon wine will come out on the other side.   This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Carrie’s mobile office in West Linn on August 17, 2026.

  7. Aug 19

    Aaron Kirschnick: Oral History Interview

    This interview is with Aaron Kirschnick of Galaxy Wine Company. In this interview, Aaron discusses his work selling wine in almost every medium and the story that inspired his Pinot Noir Rosé, Mano Coronuto Wine. Aaron talks about starting out in restaurants on the culinary side where he started learning about wine. When the hours were not sustainable, Aaron decided to pursue his interest in wine, starting out at a wine importing company. After a serious health scare, Aaron felt he needed a change but wanted to stay in wine. Aaron transitioned into sales and has worked in almost every aspect of wine sales including retail, wholesale, and direct to consumer, eventually landing at Galaxy. Aaron plans to stay at Galaxy until he potentially goes off on his own, pursing his personal wine dreams. Aaron discusses the story behind creating his own wine in the hopes of helping other people. In May of 2025, Aaron was diagnosed with throat cancer. During his time at the hospital receiving treatment, he watched his fellow patients struggle with the financial burden of chemotherapy, and wanted to help. Thus, Aaron created Mano Cornuto Wines that raises money for the Willamette Valley Cancer Foundation. When Aaron was too sick to produce the wine, the industry stepped in and produced 3 barrels of wine for his cause the first year. Now that Aaron is cancer-free, he plans to be more hands-on as the project continues.  Later in the interview, Aaron talks about the future of the Oregon wine industry. Aaron believes that people with passion and a story sell wine and those stories won’t go away. Aaron is optimistic for Oregon wine and thinks there is still room for growth. He hopes to see more varietals in the valley as the industry evolves. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in McMinnville on August 11, 2026.

  8. Aug 18

    Scott Sabbadini: Oral History Interview

    This interview is with Scott Sabbadini of Bjornson Vineyard. In this interview, Scott discusses his experiences within the wine industry and achieving his dream of working in the Willamette Valley. Scott talks about growing up in an Italian family who visited Italy multiple times throughout his childhood. Wine had always been on the table and he always associated it with connection. When it was time to go off to college, Scott followed in his parents’ footsteps and went to UC Davis. Scott’s father had suggested he take a few winemaking courses and eventually, Scott declared winemaking as his major. After spending a year abroad in Italy and finishing school, Scott jumped right into the industry. Scott discusses his various jobs within and adjacent to the industry. Scott’s first real harvest in the industry was in 2006 as an assistant winemaker in a two-person operation. Here, Scott gained a lot of experience within a short amount of time. Scott experienced the opposite scale of production when he did a harvest in New Zealand. Scott believes most people in the industry should experience working in such a large scale because those skills are incredibly transferrable. After working various assistant winemaking jobs, Scott knew he wanted to take the next step. Although before that next step, Scott brewed beer for a year instead. When he decided brewing wasn’t for him, he went back to wine and is now the head winemaker for Bjornson. Later in the interview, Scott talks about his role at Bjorson and his view on the Oregon wine industry. Scott started at Bjornson in July of 2019 when he was able to prove himself as a quality winemaker before the smoke of 2020. From there, Scott has been experimenting with different varietals and even started a custom crush program at Bjornson on top of starting his own consulting business. As for the industry, Scott is excited about the overlap of institutional knowledge and young ambition within Oregon wine. Scott is having fun on this wave of expansion and experimentation. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in McMinnville on August 10, 2026.

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About

The Oregon Wine History Archive at Linfield University was created to collect, preserve, share, and continue the narrative of Oregon wine. The growth of the Oregon wine industry extends from the farmers and winemakers to the marketers, scientists, innovators, and dreamers of the enterprise — all of whom are vital to the industry’s success. It is our aim to link the past, present, and future of the industry in hopes of sharing the story of Oregon wine. Some oral history interviews are conducted on site and may contain background noise from nature, winery, or tasting room operations.

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