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.
83episodes
Episodes
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Kelley, Brad, & Kerry Brainard: Oral History Interview
5d 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
1w 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
1w 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
1w ago01:12:38Tap 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.
Transcribe →Javier & Erik Marin: Oral History Interview
1w ago00:58:53Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Javier & Erik Marin of Marin Estate Wines. In this interview, the father-son duo discuss their history in the wine industry and what they hope to accomplish with their own brand.The two talk about their individual introductions to the wine industry. Javier joined the industry in 1990 as a crew member and vineyard manager. Once he got his contracting license, he purchased his own property for a vineyard. Erik joined the wine industry when he was 14, working for his dad in the vineyard during summers. While not planning on joining the wine industry, he ended up doing the wine program at Chemeketa and even worked a harvest in New Zealand. Through the program, Erik discovered that he enjoyed wine mechanicsJavier and Erik discuss what they have learned during their time in the industry and how they apply it to their vineyard. The family, especially Javier, have worked with many different wine makers and vineyard managers from across the Willamette Valley. From many, they have gotten different perspectives and take the best from each. After purchasing the property in 2013, they got to planting in 2018 and produced their first vintage in 2023.Later in the interview, the two talk about the labor that goes into the vineyard. With full-time jobs, the two would come home after and go straight to working on the vineyard. The property is 20 acres and they have planted everything themselves. They believe that doing everything themselves creates a better connection to the final product. For the future, Javier & Erik want to create a winery and tasting room on the hill and plant more vines on their property.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in McMinnville on July 6, 2026.
Transcribe →Shannon Mayhew: Oral History Interview
1w ago01:34:08Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Shannon Mayhew of Brooks Wine. In this interview, Shannon explains her farming philosophies and how she applies them to Brooks’ garden and vineyard.Shannon talks about growing up in Napa Valley, but never having an interest in wine. She dipped her toe into the wine industry when she saw the lack of habitats for bees and cold called vineyards to ask if they wanted hedgerows implemented in their vineyards. After a variety of jobs as a vineyard scout, in restoration work, and even a farming internship in Italy, COVID hit so Shannon switched to agriculture.Shannon discusses the transition to Oregon and the development of her role at Brooks. Shannon moved to Oregon because she felt the farming career was more sustainable in this location. Applying to manage the garden at Brooks, Shannon moved to Oregon and started working as a gardener. From there, she continued to evolve into different roles within the garden, vineyard, and tasting room. Now, she is the sustainability director that manages the whole operation’s footprint.Later in the interview, Shannon talks about the community she has built within the farming community and her ideas for the future. Shannon is a member of many groups that meet and talk about farming, books, and bees. They share their stories and advice for ways to improve the biodynamics of their vineyards. As for the future of Brooks’ garden and vineyard, Shannon does not lack ideas for growth that span even to the next generation.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Brooks Wine in Amity on July 2, 2026.
Transcribe →Chris & Candice Plewik: Oral History Interview
1w ago02:11:03Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Chris & Candice Plewik of 3 Goats Vineyard. In this interview, the couple discusses their original plan for their vineyard and what it has turned into. Chris and Candice talk about the idea that started it all. Chris’ mother was moving onto their property after retiring, and Chris thought it would be nice for her to look at a vineyard all day. Initially involved in public work and various other avenues, the couple had no interest in wine and were using the vineyard as an outlet from their day-to-day lives. After the decision to plant a vineyard, Chris and Candice built their vineyard in a must-hear, comical way, producing everything “caveman style.”The two discuss the transition from maintaining a vineyard to making wine. They figured they might as well make wine out of their grapes and if it doesn’t turn out, no harm, no foul. After finding a mentor that taught them things and let them use his cellar for their small production, Chris and Candice were ready to start their first harvest. Their first vintage of 2021 was hand-planted and hand-picked by Chris alone, and when they finally tasted their wine, they felt a spark.Later in the interview, Chris and Candice talk about their tasting room and thoughts on the Oregon wine industry. The tasting room is incredibly important to the two and is viewed as an extension of their home. Candice even got to use her interior design degree. Chris and Candice have optimism for the Oregon wine industry because of the community. Oregon welcomes everyone into the industry, and as long as the industry maintains the community aspect, it will be okay.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at 3 Goats tasting room in Hillsboro on July 1, 2026.
Transcribe →Olivier & Anna Welch Prost: Oral History Interview
1w ago01:46:19Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Anna Welch & Olivier Prost of A to Z/Rex Hill. In this interview, the couple discusses how wine brought them romance and livelihood Olivier and Anna talk about their separate educations in viticulture. Anna went to CalPoly where she had the opportunity to study vines, wine chemistry, and technical wine tasting in New Zealand. Olivier, originally from France, studied viticulture after his father opened a wine shop after retiring. Individually, they both ended up in Napa where they met at a brewery during the 2007 harvest.The two discuss their path to A to Z/Rex Hill. After their harvest in Napa, Olivier and Anna participated in a harvest in Australia where they decided to become a couple. From there, the two decided to go places for harvests that would accept couple. When they decided they need somewhere to place roots, they came to Oregon and interned at A to Z for the 2009 harvest. In early 2010, Olivier was offered a full-time position as a cellar associate while Anna took a part-time job in the marketing department. In 2012, Anna was offered a full-time job as lab technician.Later in the interview, Olivier and Anna express their thoughts about the future of winemaking and production for A to Z/Rex Hill. The couple want their wines to keep the Oregon identity and establish a sense of place. They want people to attach emotion to the wine as they drink them. Ultimately, they want their wines to be made with intention.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at A to Z/Rex Hill in Newberg on June 30, 2026.
Transcribe →Ben Denton: Oral History Interview
2w ago02:00:41Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Ben Denton of HiFi Wine Bar. In this interview, Ben explains what it is like to make your way through the wine industry. Ben talks about his “magical moment” with wine. After majoring in history and philosophy, Ben didn’t know what he wanted to do as a career. While working at a restaurant with his roommate, Ben tasted and nice bottle of wine. That was the moment he realized he wanted to be drinking wine on the regular, and the best way to drink wines you can’t afford is to work in the industry.Ben discusses his path in wine as he started out working in a big factory liquor store. From there, he began working in distribution. He didn’t care what job he had at the time, as long as it was in wine. Ben moved to Washington and then Oregon to pursue wine after he had visited on a trip with the liquor store. Here, he met his business partner and they began the makings of HiFi.Later in the interview, Ben talks about the incorporation of music at HiFi. Ben and his partner shared a love of music and collecting vinyl that they decided to make it a major element of the wine bar. Vinyl is constantly spinning for visitors, and Ben believes it creates a holistic experience for the customers. In 2026, HiFi celebrates its 5th-year anniversary.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at HiFi Wine Bar in McMinnville on June 29, 2026.
Transcribe →Pat & Jackie Dukes: Oral History Interview
2w ago01:31:00Tap to summarizeThis interview is with Pat & Jackie Dukes of Dukes Family Vineyards. In this interview, the couple explores their journey in fulfilling their vineyard dreams. Pat & Jackie talk about their lives before joining the industry. The two went to high school together but didn’t start dating until college until eventually getting hitched. From there, Jackie worked in real estate and Pat worked in accounting. After the company was sold, Pat retired at 37 and eventually went to culinary school. Surprisingly, the couple didn’t start drinking wine until their 30s in California. After trying some great bottles, Pat started to collect wine.The Dukes discuss their start in Oregon. At first, they wanted to start a restaurant because they had heard that Oregon was a good market for it at the time. After they discovered the restaurant business wasn’t for them, they started a vineyard instead. From there, the property kept evolving and they now have a tasting room and various other buildings. Later in the interview, the couple talks about their future in the industry. This year, Dukes celebrates its 20th vintage. Pat claims that every year of those first 20, there was an ongoing project or construction on the property. Now, Pat & Jackie are mellowing out the projects and enjoying what they’ve made.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Dukes Family Vineyard in Amity on June 26, 2026.
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