INTERVIEWER
Schmidt, Rich
DURATION
59 minutes 37 seconds
DATE
July 20, 2026
INTERVIEW SUMMARY
This 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.
Interview photos
COMMENTS
Some oral history interviews are conducted on site and may contain background noise from nature, winery, or tasting room operations.