Interviewer
Peterson, Jeff
Transcript
Duration
47 minutes 13 seconds
Date
July 14, 2010
Interview Summary
Susan and Bill Sokol Blosser bought their first land in 1970, an abandoned prune orchard 30 miles south of Portland. In 1971, they cleared the land and planted their first vines. The winery was completed in 1977, in time to produce their first house vintage. In 1996, Sokol Blosser Vineyards became the first vineyard to be certified “Salmon-Safe.” The next year, the vineyards joined LIVE. The second generation, Alex and Allison Sokol Blosser, became co-presidents in 2008 and shortly after taking over the winery/vineyard, Sokol Blosser became certified by Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine (OCSW). In this interview, Susan Sokol Blosser tells what brought her to the industry and what it was like in the beginning. She shares many of the key events that have lead to the success of Oregon Wine today, such as the end of the pole bean industry and how it helped the wine industry get on its feet. She also highlights the role of women in the industry.
This interview was conducted by Jeff Peterson on July 14, 2010.
Comments
Some oral history interviews are conducted on site and may contain background noise from nature, winery, or tasting room operations.