BETHEL HEIGHTS VINEYARD COLLECTION

Interview

This interview is with Vic Winquist, who planted the initial vines in multiple vineyards in Oregon. In this interview, Vic speaks about dropping out of law school for his passion in wine, seeing the transition of the wine industry, and current challenges with growing and making Pinot noir.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt outside Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville on August 11, 2021.

Interview

This interview is with Ben Casteel of Bethel Heights Vineyard. In this interview, Ben speaks about being born into the wine industry. He goes over what it was like growing up on a vineyard and working with his father, uncle, and cousins. He describes his education and his interest in English Literature before he decided to pursue wine. Ben also talks about going to France, learning the language, and working on a vineyard in Burgundy.

Later, Ben speaks about how his career in the Oregon Wine Industry took off. He discusses his work at Rex Hill and what it was like starting as a Warehouse Manager and growing until he became Assistant Winemaker. Then, he talks about his decision to go back home and take on the role as Winemaker at his family’s vineyard.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Bethel Heights Vineyard in Salem on May 12, 2021.

Interview

This interview is with Ted Casteel, the Vineyard Manager at Bethel Heights Vineyard. Casteel speaks to why the family entered the wine industry, the logistics of a family operation, and why they chose the Eola Amity Hills. Casteel elaborates on how he’s seen the Oregon wine industry evolve, specifically viticulture knowledge and practices with the creation of programs like LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology), and where he sees the next generation taking Oregon wine.

This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody on November 20, 2014.

Interview

This interview is in three portions. The first part is with Pat Dudley, President and Marketing Director of Bethel Heights Vineyard, who speaks about how she got into the Oregon wine industry and how a liberal arts education provided her a strong foundation. During the second portion of the interview, Dudley is joined by Marilyn Webb, Dudley’s sister-in-law and the Chief Financial Officer of Bethel Heights Vineyard. Both women talk about marrying twins Ted and Terry Casteel and raising a family on the vineyard, the different relationships their children have formed with each other, and how the children have found their own way into the wine industry. Both Dudley and Webb also discuss various aspects of the wine industry in which they’ve been involved, such as the International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC), Oregon Pinot Camp (OPC), and the creation of The Oregon Winegrowers Guide in 1983. The last portion of the interview resumes with Dudley alone as Linfield student Camille Weber asks specific questions on topics covered in Dudley’s “Quoi de Neuf” column in Grapevine.

This interview was conducted by Rachael Woody on November 20, 2014.

Interview

This interview is with Terry Casteel, the winemaker and co-founder of Bethel Heights Vineyard in Salem, Oregon. Casteel talks about what brought him to Oregon, his start in wine, and some of the early relationships and experiences he had learning about wine.

This interview was conducted by Janis Miglavs on September 16, 2007.

Interview

This interview is with Ben Casteel, current winemaker at Bethel Heights Vineyard in Salem, Oregon and oldest son of the founders. Casteel discusses the role of a winemaker, growing up in the family business, how his role has changed over the past couple of years, and the future of the Oregon wine industry.

This interview was conducted by Janis Miglavs on September 16, 2007.

Interview

Pat Dudley is the current president and marketing director at Bethel Heights Vineyard in Salem, Oregon. In 1978, Pat and three other founding family members left behind their lives in academia to reconnect with the earth.

In this interview, Dudley talks about why wine became a part of their lives and what the early Oregon wine industry was like. For the Casteels, Dudley, and Marilyn Webb (the founding members), there was no question in deciding to grow Pinot Noir in Oregon. Dudley was very involved in developing organizations and events in the industry, including the International Pinot Noir Celebration, Oregon Pinot Camp, Oregon Wine Board, and more. She explains the spirit of Oregon and the importance of coming together for success as a whole.

This interview was conducted in 2006.

Interview

Terry Casteel is a co-founder of Bethel Heights Vineyard in Salem, Oregon. After 26 years as winemaker, Casteel passed the job to his son, Ben. Terry earned a degree in English Literature, a Master’s Degree in Theology, and a Ph.D in Educational Psychology en route to his journey to becoming part of the Oregon wine Industry with his family. He was actively involved in many key events in the industry, such as the formation of the International Pinot Noir Celebration and ¡Salud!.

In this interview, Casteel sheds light on what the wine industry would have been like without the land use laws that he and many other Oregon wine pioneers instigated in the early days to protect the hillsides of the valley. As an academic, he experienced a unique perspective jumping into the agricultural lifestyle. He shares his thoughts on the evolution of the industry, what the future may hold, and more.

This interview was conducted circa 2004-2006.