INTERVIEWER
Schmidt, Rich
DURATION
1 hour 36 minutes 48 seconds
DATE
March 16, 2026
INTERVIEW SUMMARY
This interview is with Brian Gruber of Irvine & Roberts Vineyards. In this interview, Brian talks about growing up in Minnesota and then attending the Air Force Academy. He talks about his career in the military, including some of the specific projects he worked on.
He then talks about his growing interest in wine, first as a consumer and then his desire to grow his own grapes and make his own wine. He talks about the decision to move to Oregon and the various places he has worked in the industry, including helping to found Barrel 42 and now making wine at Irvine & Roberts. He speaks about the growth of the industry, his own vineyard in the Rogue Valley, and what comes next.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Irvine & Roberts Vineyards in Grants Pass on March 16, 2026.
Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!
COMMENTS
Some oral history interviews are conducted on site and may contain background noise from nature, winery, or tasting room operations.