Interview
This interview is with Cassondra Bird of The Scout Wine Bar. In this interview, Cassondra discusses growing her passion and education of wine.
Cassondra talks about starting in restaurants and hospitality, developing a love for serving others. It was when she moved to Spain for a year that she was engulfed in the word of wine. She enjoyed that wine was apart of everyday life in Spain, something she was unfamiliar with. While working in restaurants, Cassondra continued to learn about wine even becoming a certified sommelier in 2018. Cassondra thought she would always be in restaurants until 2020 changes her plans. During this time, Cassondra got her WSET diploma and worked a harvest in California.
Cassondra discusses her next steps after the pandemic and how she got to where she is now. Cassondra switched gears and started working in wine PR with Play Nice Public Relations. It was when her best friend since high school’s husband, and now business partner, approached Cassondra and asked her to start a wine bar with him that The Scout became a twinkle in their eyes. After a lot of hard work, The Scout was officially opened in 2025. The wine bar also sells beer, ciders, and even has a monthly book club.
Later in the interview, Cassondra talks about the future of The Scout and the Oregon wine industry. Cassondra has started teaching wine courses at the wine bar and has been asked by club members to increase the number of courses. As for the Oregon wine industry, Cassondra believes that the grapes Oregon isn’t famous for are going to explode in popularity.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at The Scout Wine Bar in Gresham on July 29, 2026.