Podcast
The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast
Hosted by The Oregon Wine History Archive · EN
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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Jacob Brink: Oral History Interview
2w ago01:00:18Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Jacob Brink of Arbitrary Cellars & RAW Cider Co. In this interview, Jacob discusses how he found that wine was something he could never get bored of.Jacob talks about starting his career in the Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic and painter. After being honorably discharged, Jacob had to decide where he wanted to live. Previously, Jacob had taken a trip to Oregon and decided that is where he belonged. After finding work in hydrogen storage, Jacob was getting bored again. He had enjoyed wine as a consumer and joined the Battle Creek wine club. When he jokingly asked the manager for a job, he took Jacob up on it. Since then, Jacob has been working in various tasting rooms and vineyards.Jacob discusses his experience and education within the wine industry. After managing the tasting room at Battle Creek, Jacob transitioned to Fullerton Wines eventually opening up a tasting room in Corvallis. He learn about wine and the industry by asking smart people dumb questions. After gaining more experience, Jacob wanted to start his own brand. The name stems from the idea that if the wine is good, everything else should be arbitrary. Jacob continues to grow Arbitrary along with working full-time as the outside sales and tasting room manager of RAW Cider Co.Later in the interview, Jacob talks about his hopes for the future of Arbitrary and the Oregon wine industry. Jacob hopes to eventually create a sustainable ecosystem with RAW Cider Co. Along with success, Jacob wants to lift other people up as he rises. He believes that if we provide for the next generation, they will provide for us.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Red Shed Vineyards in Lewisburg on July 20, 2026.
Transcribe →Deron & Hannah Davenport: Oral History Interview
3w ago01:28:04Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Deron & Hannah Davenport of Stray Cider. In this interview, the newlyweds explain how they found their way to cider and each other.Deron talks about starting out as a baker. He loved the idea of creating art through science and found that fermentation fascinated him. From there, he started brewing beer and fermenting cider at home. As Portland Cider Co. was starting to gain some traction, Deron talked his way into a job and eventually made his way up to head cider maker. After pitching unconventional ideas for Portland Cider Co., he was encouraged to start his own brand where he could experiment as much as he wanted.Hannah discusses how her relationship with cider started with her mom. Hannah grew up on a farm that grew apples. As she was starting college, her mom started experimenting with apple fermentation and eventually started Bauman’s Cider Company. After trying different careers in design, Hannah came back to help her mom with the company and never left. Hannah took her background in design to help Deron in branding Stray and joined his venture after connecting to the cider itself.Later in the interview, the couple talks about how their friendship evolved into a work relationship which evolved to a romantic relationship. After spending so much time together to build the brand, they fell in love. Deron explains how their relationship grew along with stray. They finally tied the knot in June of 2026 and plan to continue to nurture their love for each other and Stray Cider even further.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in McMinnville on July 17, 2026.
Transcribe →Tim Kinkade: Oral History Interview
3w ago01:11:10Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Tim Kinkade of Cynthian Vineyards. In this interview, Tim discusses how he accomplished his vineyard dreams.Tim talks about his many years as a contractor. He started in construction at 18 and stuck with it until he retired. He found work in places like Alaska and Hawaii until he got married and had children and settled in Corvallis, Oregon. Towards the end of his career, Tim’s sub-contractors were all retiring and he felt it might be time for him to follow suit. After having a dream of building his own vineyard for years, Tim sold the house he built and his children grew up in to started looking for vineyard property in 2012.Tim discusses the property of Cynthian Vineyards itself. Tim stumbled upon the property when he was golfing at Cross Creek located above the golf course. After checking it out and realizing there was already a house there, Tim jumped on the opportunity. In terms of growing grapes, the fruit loves the property. There is not a flat spot on the vineyard and the vines get the wind directly from the coast. Tim believes that good wine is about the farming and the fruit itself.Later in the interview, Tim talks about the reality of owning a vineyard and his hobbies outside of it. Tim explains that owning and living on a vineyard is not exactly what he imagined. Instead of retiring, he bought himself another job. Owning a vineyard is more work and risk than he originally thought. On the bright side, Tim is never bored along with his hobbies of woodworking, welding, scuba diving, maintaining old cars, and electric biking.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Cynthian Vineyards in Dallas on July 16, 2026.
Transcribe →Lane Kinkade: Oral History Interview
3w ago01:01:36Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Lane Kinkade of Cynthian Vineyards. In this interview, Lane discusses getting wrapped into his dad’s dream of building his own vineyard.Lane talks about his life before joining the wine industry with different career paths. Lane got his degree is graphic design which led him to different jobs in design, user experience design, and product design. Eventually, he was offered the opportunity to teach at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta. During this time, Lane’s father, Tim, had retired and started his own vineyard and production was ramping up. After teaching for about three years, Lane decided to move across country to Oregon to help his dad build the Cynthian brand.Lane discusses his growth within his wine knowledge. Starting out, he didn’t know much about wine, but loved how it paired with food. After helping his dad with harvests for years, Lane enrolled in the Chemeketa wine program to learn more about winemaking to eventually take over as the sole Cynthian winemaker. Along with a structured education, Lane is learning from mentors as well. Now, Lane has also completed his WSET level 2. Lane realizes that knowing all the work that goes into wine makes it taste better.Later in the interview, Lane talks about the future of the Oregon wine industry. Although it is a difficult time for the Willamette Valley, Lane is optimistic. He believes that keeping the unique spirit of the Oregon wine industry will keep it afloat. He explains that the industry is kind and cooperative. He has multiple first-hand experiences of bigger brands helping out the little guy.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Cynthian Vineyards in Dallas on July 16, 2026.
Transcribe →Laurent Montalieu: Oral History Interview
3w ago01:01:22Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Laurent Montalieu of Soléna Estate. In this interview, Laurent discusses his journey in creating a multi-generational legacy within the Oregon wine industry.Laurent talks about his beginnings in wine. He started out studying engineering in France until he switched to the neighboring Bourdeaux's Institute of Oenology because it looked like they were having more fun over there. While studying, Laurent did many internships. One took him to Napa Valley which gave him an appreciation for American business management. Freshly graduated, Laurent got a call from Bridgeview Winery to work with them and finally made his way to Oregon.Laurent discusses creating NW Wine Company and its progression throughout the years. The property started as an old pie factory and was originally used to make his own wine. It turned out that people wanted Laurent to make wine for their brands as well. From there, Laurent was the winemaker for many different brands and NW Wine Company was born in 2003. After a creating a successful business with high demand, Laurent sold the company in 2021.Later in the interview, Laurent talks about his current focus, Soléna Estate. Purchasing the property in 1999 and planting vineyards as well as living on it, Soléna Estate was overshadowed by the beast of NW Wine Company in Laurent’s mind. Now, Soléna Estate is Laurent’s main focus as he nurtures the vineyard and his daughter Soléna to become the next leader of the estate.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Soléna Estate in Yamhill on July 15, 2026.
Transcribe →Bryan Lewis: Oral History Interview
3w ago01:09:14Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Bryan Lewis of Björnson Vineyard. In this interview, Bryan discusses how he has obtained his dream job.Bryan talks about the how he started out as a pastor, went into video production, sales management for 14 years, and eventually wine retail while making his own beverages from wine kits on the side. After being in retail for so long, Bryan started working as a steward for Market of Choice. When he felt he didn’t know what he was talking about, he decided to complete his WSET level 3 and is currently working on his level 4. When he realized he loved teaching people about wine, he started a wine education-focused Instagram page.Bryan discusses the beginnings of his account and its goal. Initially, Bryan wanted to teach wine beginners about wine in a fun, approachable way. Eventually, even more people outside of his target demographic started consuming and sharing his content. Bryan produces videos and graphics that make learning about wine easy and enjoyable. When Björnson asked Bryan to create a video, he also applied as their hospitality manager and began working there in July of 2025. Now, Bryan has taken his social media presence to the press and has two published books with the same fun approach.Later in the interview, Bryan talks about the future for himself and the Oregon wine industry. Bryan believes that Oregon is going to become more renowned around the world for wine. With this progression, Bryan hopes the industry doesn’t loose who they are along the way. As for himself, there is nothing bigger and better than Björnson for him. He is right where he wants to be and plans to grow Björnson along with his individual side projects.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Björnson Vineyard in Salem on July 14, 2026.
Transcribe →Kelley, Brad, & Kerry Brainard: Oral History Interview
4w ago01:49:59Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Kelley, Brad, and Kerry Brainard of Native Son Cellars. In this interview, the group discusses their family’s heritage and transition into wine after retirement.The trio talks about the history of their family as Oregon natives. Their father was the chief of the Miluk Coos of the Confederated Tribes of Coos and his sons take great honor in their heritage. After deciding to start a vineyard and wine brand, the sons decided to pay homage to their family history within the branding. They are “Native Sons” of Oregon and use tribal images on their bottles as representation of their tribal identity.Kelley and Brad discuss their experiences traveling around the world while Brad was in the Air Force. Staying in the same place for five years or less at a time and frequently traveling abroad, the couple has tried many different wines from many different places. A notable experience was tasting a Hungarian wine they still think about to this day. When Brad retired in 2021, they decided to bring in Brad’s brother, Kerry, to start a vineyard and wine brand. Later in the interview, Kelley talks about her hopes for the future of Native Sons. Mainly, Kelley wants to get their name out there and continue telling the story behind the brand. Since she is only distributor and doesn’t want to work well into her 90s, they plan to keep the brand small and enjoy the privilege to do what they are passionate about. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at their home in Eugene on July 8, 2026.
Transcribe →John Peacock: Oral History Interview
4w ago01:23:14Tap to summarizeThis interview is with John Peacock of Ocelli Cellars. In this interview, John discusses his beginnings in analytics and unique transition into wine full-time.John talks about his job experience and introduction to wine. Majoring in real estate finance at Portland State University, John had a lot of jobs in analytics. John was introduced to wine by his wife, Sirpa, and was not a fan of the beverage until he tried Pinot Gris. After enjoying wine together, John and Sirpa decided to make wine their hobby and create their own wine brand in 2013 while still maintaining their seriate full-time jobs. In 2023, John was laid off from his wine production software job and decided it was time to embrace Ocelli as a full-time gig.John discusses his hopes for the new Ocelli tasting room that opened in March of 2026. John considers wine more than a beverage and strives for community within the tasting room. John loves that the Oregon wine industry allows people to create the environments they want to create. He believes that there is new experiences available and something for everyone. Later in the interview, John talks about his goal to never retire from Ocelli. John believes he already lives in paradise and currently does what he wants to do for the rest of his life. In the future, John hopes to hire others to manage the everyday tasks so he can focus on the winemaking and logistics and “sprinkle the winemaker dust” in the tasting room.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Ocelli Cellars tasting room in Dundee on July 8, 2026.
Transcribe →Sirpa Peacock: Oral History Interview
4w ago01:18:25Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Sirpa Peacock of Ocelli Cellars. In this interview, Sirpa discusses her work in the Oregon wine industry and her path to starting her own brand.Sirpa talks about how she began in the industry. A Linfield University graduate in sociology, Sirpa was not looking forward to more schooling, so she decided to get into an industry she enjoyed. She started working part-time at a wine bar and kept growing from there. Her unique talent of establishing structure and organization opened doors for her to keep evolving within the industry and working at places such as Archery Summit, Colene Clemens, and Appassionata Estate.Sirpa discusses the beginnings of starting her wine brand with her husband, John. Ocelli was born in 2013 after her husband jokingly said to their winemaking friend that it would be fun to start a brand. That friend let them use some barrels to start their project and the rest is history. For the next decade, Sirpa and John would work their full-time jobs while producing and selling their small brand.Later in the interview, Sirpa talks about their new tasting room. Opening in March of 2026, the Ocelli tasting room is actually a dual tasting room with another small brand, Stephen Goff Wines. Sirpa wanted the tasting room to have a “neighborhood vibe” where people can experience comfortable community. Sirpa is confident for the growth of the tasting room and cannot wait to watch it evolve. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Ocelli Cellars tasting room in Dundee on July 8, 2026.
Transcribe →Anne Root & Ashley Campanella: Oral History Interview
Jul 901:12:38Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Anne Root and Ashley Campanella of Edenvale Winery. In this interview, the duo discusses their introductions to the wine industry and everything that came after. Anne talks about how her husband’s family was in the pear business and she was given the responsibility to do something with an empty orchard. This orchard soon became a vineyard and the rest is history. The winery still grows pears and uses them for their unique pear cider. Ashley discusses how after she graduated from college, her mother asked her to help her with her winery project. From there, Ashley began to build the community aspect of the winery until 2008, she had to jump in as winemaker after their previous one left right before harvest. Edenvale never intended Ashley to be the winemaker, but she has a talent for it and still remains in the position.Later in the interview, the mother and daughter talk about the future of the winery. While it is important to them to keep the family history by producing pears, they do not believe Edenvale will stay within the family in the future. However, this all depends on the next generation.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Edenvale Winery on June 12, 2026.
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