This 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.