GREGORY THEIM

INTERVIEWER

Schmidt, Rich

DURATION

1 hour 9 minutes 17 seconds

DATE

September 21, 2026

INTERVIEW SUMMARY

This interview is with Gregory Theim, a longtime Oregon businessman and wine lover who grew up alongside the early Oregon wine industry. In this interview, Gregory shares stories of growing up around his father’s businesses, his introduction to wine, and his experiences watching Oregon wine develop.

Gregory was one of five children. In the early 1970s, he and his father opened Gregory’s International, a gourmet food and wine shop at the newly developed Water Tower in Johns Landing, San Francisco. The store featured foods and specialty products from around the world, along with gourmet cheese, beer, and wine. Gregory became especially interested in Oregon wine and took wine courses at Portland State to learn more about it.

Through tasting, traveling, and talking with some of Oregon’s early winemakers, Gregory gained a deeper appreciation for the industry. He remembers Dick Erath in particular as both a friend and mentor during those early pioneering years.

After running the grocery business with his father until 1979, Gregory went on to become a home builder and later opened a Traeger sales and supply store in Sherwood. Through his businesses, he continues working with early Oregon winemakers and customers and helped spread the word about Oregon wine.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon on September 21, 2026.

Interview photos

COMMENTS

Some oral history interviews are conducted on site and may contain background noise from nature, winery, or tasting room operations.