Wine Crush Podcast NW

Heidi Moore

From the heart of the Oregon Wine Country, Wine Crush Podcast is designed to tell the amazing and colorful stories of the local wine industry. We interview winemakers from the Willamette Valley in a conversational format, and is going in its Season 5! Hosted by Heidi Moore, sponsored by Country Financial and other local partners, produced by The Daydream Agency, formerly Powered by Portland Radio Project

  1. Oct 23

    Season 9 - Yakima Road Trip Ep1 - Tirriddis

    What happens when three college friends share a love of sparkling wine and a dream of doing something different? You get Tirriddis! On this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, we’re exploring the story behind Tirriddis, a sparkling wine producer in Prosser, Washington, that’s helping redefine what Washington wine can be. Founded in 2021 by Washington State University Viticulture and Enology graduates Andrew Gerow, Gabriel Crowell, and Matthew Doutney, Tirriddis grew from friendship, curiosity, and a shared passion for traditional-method sparkling wine. Their story began during an uncertain time. With the pandemic changing their plans after college, the three friends decided to create their own opportunity in the wine industry. What started with a love of Champagne, shared celebrations, and even fried chicken turned into a winery dedicated entirely to sparkling wine. Even the name tells a story! Tirriddis combines three important steps in traditional sparkling winemaking: Tirage, Riddling, and Disgorging. These are the processes that help create the beautiful, naturally occurring bubbles in every bottle. But while their winemaking method is traditional, their approach is anything but ordinary. By experimenting with different grape varieties and styles, they’re showcasing Washington’s diverse growing regions and proving that exceptional sparkling wine doesn’t have to follow every old-world rule. With a focus on creativity, quality, sustainability, and community, the Tirriddis team is building something much bigger than a sparkling wine brand. They’re helping create a new identity for Washington bubbles. Join us as we celebrate the people, passion, and innovation behind this exciting Washington winery. Whether you’re a devoted sparkling wine lover or simply curious about the people behind the bottle, this is a story worth discovering. Pour yourself something bubbly and enjoy another episode of Wine Crush Podcast! 🥂

  2. Sep 18

    Season 9 - Episode 11 - Corollary & Bryn Mawr

    Two women. Two very different paths into wine. One seriously good conversation. On this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, Heidi sits down with Jeanne Feldkamp, co-founder and winemaker at Corollary Wines, and Rachel Rose, winemaker and vineyard director at Bryn Mawr Vineyards, for a deep dive into sparkling wine, science, farming, creativity, and the ever-evolving story of Oregon wine. Jeanne and her partner, Dan Diephouse, founded Corollary Wines with one very specific mission: explore what the Willamette Valley can express through traditional-method sparkling wine. After producing their first Oregon vintage in 2017, they went all-in on bubbles. In 2022, they purchased 57 acres in the Eola-Amity Hills and began developing a vineyard specifically designed for sparkling wine production, with regenerative agriculture at the heart of the project. Jeanne has also become a driving force in Oregon’s growing sparkling-wine movement as a co-founder of Method Oregon. (Corollary Wines⁠) Then there’s Rachel Rose, whose road to wine began with science. With a degree in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology from UC Santa Cruz, Rachel left biotech behind and headed to Australia, ultimately earning a master’s degree in Oenology and postgraduate training in viticulture from the University of Adelaide. Her journey eventually brought her to Oregon and Bryn Mawr Vineyards, where she now directs both the vineyard and winemaking programs. Her approach combines biology, chemistry, experimentation and artistry, with a focus on letting each vintage and vineyard tell its own story. (Bryn Mawr Vineyards⁠) From bubbles and microbiology to vineyard life, off-grid living, sustainability and the future of Oregon wine, this conversation goes in all the best directions. Pour something delicious and settle in. This is an episode filled with smart women, fascinating stories, plenty of laughs and a whole lot of Eola-Amity Hills energy.

  3. Aug 28

    Season 9 - Episode 10 - Bethel Heights

    Some wine stories begin with a bottle. This one begins with a family, an abandoned walnut orchard, and a leap of faith in the Eola Hills. On this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, Heidi sits down with Ben Casteel, second-generation winemaker, co-owner and director of Bethel Heights Vineyard, for a conversation about family, legacy, Oregon wine and the land that has shaped it all. Bethel Heights began in 1977, when the Casteel and Dudley families discovered an abandoned walnut orchard in what is now the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. They planted their first vines between 1977 and 1979 and released their first commercial vintage in 1984, becoming part of the pioneering generation that helped establish the Willamette Valley as a world-class wine region. Ben literally grew up among those vines, spending summers working in the vineyard with his family. Wine wasn’t originally his career plan. He headed to the University of Oregon intending to pursue English literature, but a 1999 harvest in Burgundy changed his trajectory. After gaining experience at Rex Hill, Ben returned home and eventually took the winemaking reins from his father, Terry Casteel. Today, Ben carries Bethel Heights into its second generation while staying deeply connected to the philosophy that has guided the family from the beginning: make wines that speak clearly of place, vintage and the remarkable landscape of the Eola-Amity Hills. Heidi and Ben talk about those early Oregon wine pioneers, growing up at Bethel Heights, taking over a family legacy, old vines, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and what it means to steward a piece of Oregon wine history for the generations still to come. This is more than a conversation about wine. It’s about family, place and nearly five decades of believing in a hillside in Oregon. Pour yourself a glass and join us for Wine Crush Podcast

  4. Jul 24

    Season 9 - Episode 8 - Fullerton Wine & Apona Vineyards

    In this episode of Wine Crush Podcast, we’re joined by two incredible Oregon wine stories that showcase the passion, innovation, and community that make the Willamette Valley one of the world’s premier wine regions. First, we sit down with the team from Fullerton Wines, a family-owned winery dedicated to crafting elegant, site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other cool-climate varietals. We explore the family’s journey into Oregon wine, their commitment to sustainable farming, and how their collaborative approach has helped build a respected name in the Willamette Valley. From vineyard practices to the art of blending, the Fullerton team shares what it takes to produce wines that authentically express Oregon’s diverse terroir. We’re also joined by the passionate team behind Apona Winery, where Old World inspiration meets the distinctive landscapes of Oregon. Their philosophy centers on producing expressive, balanced wines that celebrate both place and craftsmanship. You’ll hear the story behind the winery’s unique name, the vision that drives their winemaking, and the dedication required to create memorable wines that continue to earn loyal fans. As always, the conversation goes far beyond what’s in the glass. Expect plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, honest conversations about the wine industry, and insights into what inspires these talented winemakers every day. Whether you’re a longtime wine enthusiast, planning your next Willamette Valley tasting adventure, or simply love hearing the stories behind the people who create exceptional wines, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Pour yourself a glass, press play, and join us for another unforgettable conversation on Wine Crush Podcast

4.8
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

From the heart of the Oregon Wine Country, Wine Crush Podcast is designed to tell the amazing and colorful stories of the local wine industry. We interview winemakers from the Willamette Valley in a conversational format, and is going in its Season 5! Hosted by Heidi Moore, sponsored by Country Financial and other local partners, produced by The Daydream Agency, formerly Powered by Portland Radio Project

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