INTERVIEWER

Schmidt, Rich

DURATION

1 hour 39 minutes 50 seconds

DATE

August 14, 2020

INTERVIEW SUMMARY

This interview is with Luke Wylde and Meredith Bell of Statera Cellars. In this interview, Meredith and Luke describe their backgrounds in Chemistry and Theatre/Event Planning. They tell of each of their experiences working harvest abroad and getting bit by the wine bug, thus sparking an interest with Chardonnay. Next, Luke and Meredith talk about meeting and deciding to start their own label. They describe their decision to start a brand that makes only Chardonnay, and what makes their partnership work. The two of them talk about selling Chardonnay and Pét-Nat wine, who their target consumer has turned out to be, and their winemaking philosophy. Meredith speaks about the diversity that Chardonnay can show, and Luke describes the decision to make affordable wine. Later, Luke and Meredith talk about each of their personal endeavors in the wine industry outside of their Statera Cellars brand. Towards the end of the Interview they give their ideas of what changes need to be made in the wine industry. To conclude, Meredith and Luke give their thoughts for the future and reflect on the past of the industry.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Abbey Road Farm on August 14, 2020.

COMMENTS

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