Interview
This interview is with Davis Dixon of HiFi Wine Bar. In this interview, Davis discusses his transition from restaurants to fully focusing on wine.
Davis talks about working in restaurants at a young age and hospitality becoming a part of who he was. Until he worked in Seattle, he didn’t realize people could make a career out of hospitality. Although Davis had been intimidated by wine, he was fascinated by it as it always surrounded him in restaurants. In 2019, Davis decided to put his full focus on wine and asked for the Wine Bible to start his wine education. From there, Davis worked as a bartender who was determined to learn about his facilities’ wine programs.
Davis discusses his transition to HiFi and becoming a sommelier. After working a harvest in New Zealand, Davis wanted to work a harvest in Oregon, moving to the Willamette Valley. Through his connections, he started working at the International Pinot Noir Celebration where he connected with Ben and Evan of HiFi and was offered a position. After working part-time at HiFi during harvest, Davis accepted a full-time position in the wine bar. Working at HiFi, Davis has been learning leadership skills and how to put the right bottles in front of people. While working at HiFi, Davis was also working on his advanced sommelier certificate from CMS, becoming even more educated in wine.
Later in the interview, Davis talks about his goals for the future. Eventually, Davis wants to be a wine buyer. He wants to make the decisions on what wines are available to his customers. At this time, Davis is only able to create success for himself, but in the future, he wants to use his knowledge and skills to do things for others within the industry, especially aspiring black sommeliers. Davis believes people within the industry are generous with their time and information, and he wants to be able to give back in the same way.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in McMinnville on August 4, 2026.
Interview
This interview is with Ben Denton of HiFi Wine Bar. In this interview, Ben explains what it is like to make your way through the wine industry.
Ben talks about his “magical moment” with wine. After majoring in history and philosophy, Ben didn’t know what he wanted to do as a career. While working at a restaurant with his roommate, Ben tasted and nice bottle of wine. That was the moment he realized he wanted to be drinking wine on the regular, and the best way to drink wines you can’t afford is to work in the industry.
Ben discusses his path in wine as he started out working in a big factory liquor store. From there, he began working in distribution. He didn’t care what job he had at the time, as long as it was in wine. Ben moved to Washington and then Oregon to pursue wine after he had visited on a trip with the liquor store. Here, he met his business partner and they began the makings of HiFi.
Later in the interview, Ben talks about the incorporation of music at HiFi. Ben and his partner shared a love of music and collecting vinyl that they decided to make it a major element of the wine bar. Vinyl is constantly spinning for visitors, and Ben believes it creates a holistic experience for the customers. In 2026, HiFi celebrates its 5th-year anniversary.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at HiFi Wine Bar in McMinnville on June 29, 2026.