Interview
This interview is with Peter Ebbers of Stirling Wine Grapes. In this interview, Peter speaks his experience in the wine industry, specifically in the vineyard and the cellar, from places like Oregon to Virginia and even New Zealand.
Peter was first introduced to wine while studying abroad in Scotland, where colleagues invited him to a wine and cheese club. It was there that the curiosity and passion for wine started. After working as a house painter and a high school English teacher, he took the leap and moved from his home in Vermont to California to work harvest.
After a couple more harvest experiences, Peter studied at Lincoln University in New Zealand to better understand the farming behind vineyard work. Here, he learned how to make the most of the land, workforce, technology, capital, and “know-how.” Working in a vineyard shortly after helped to fill in that knowledge with practical experience.
With exposure to harvest in both the northern and southern hemispheres, Peter found his way back to Oregon wine country, where he appreciated that he could work in both the vineyard and the cellar. He speaks to his various wine jobs once settling in Oregon, how he as a team leader can affect work culture, and how the camaraderie of farmers benefits everyone.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in the Nicholson Library on July 8, 2025.
Interview
This interview is with Stirling Fox, owner of Mad Violets Wine Co. In this interview, Stirling discusses how he got into wine, found his place in the Oregon Wine industry, as well as his education at OSU. He talks about the various places he worked, as well as the difficulties in dealing with harvests. Stirling then goes on to discusses his “stick with it” attitude that comes with his job of vineyard management; he isn’t afraid of challenge. Stirling manages 25-35 vineyards each year, working on different projects and always staying active. He also talks about how he came up with “Mad Violets,” named after his two daughters, and how he created his own company. Further into the interview, Stirling speaks about his vineyard management philosophy, his involvement with LIVE, and the future for the Oregon Wine Industry. To conclude, Stirling expresses his gratitude for the ability to be able to work with many different people in the industry— he truly loves what he does.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield College on April 5, 2019.