Interview
This interview is with Chris Luby who worked at Cherry Hill Winery and Dobbes Family Estate. Chris discusses his journey into the wine industry and how his career has changed over the years.
Chris originally became interested in wine after a honeymoon trip to Napa Valley in the late 1980’s, where he developed an interest in sparking wine. With a background in business and economics, he originally worked in insurance before deciding to pursue a career in wine. He taught himself about wine through reading and then decided he wanted to give it a try so he applied to work at High Pass Winery and completed a harvest internship there.
Chris began his winemaking career after being referred to a cellar job at what was formally known as Flynn Winery, where he worked a little over 3 years. He later worked at Cherry Hill, where he began making his own wine from 2003-2010. After Cherry Hill, Chris spent three years as a winemaker while also working in marketing and sales at Olsen Family Vineyards.
Chris then spent ten years at Hobbes Family Estate as a vineyard liaison and senior cellar technician. After deciding he wanted a change from the wine industry, he began working at Prestige Senior Living as an Enrichment Assistant. He also works as a certified personal trainer at Southwest Community Gym.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon on September 15, 2026.
Interview
This interview is with David Andreani of Cherry Hill Winery. In this interview, David discusses his beginnings within the wine industry in France and continuing that journey in America.
David talks about his entrance into the wine industry. David’s good friend’s parents owned a vineyard in the south of France and David was asked to help out when times were stressful. David happily agreed to help because he got free food, free lodging, and free wine. David started with vineyard maintenance until he asked to work a harvest in 2002. From there, David did some picking and carrying and eventually was named the chief of harvest. When the winemaker left, David stepped into that role as well. After 10 years of working for that winery, David made the move to the U.S.
David discusses his adventures in the U.S. and his transition to Oregon. Starting in North Carolina and Montana, David worked as a landscaper, bike/ski tech, and even a chocolatier. During this time, David would go back to France every harvest to continue nurturing his passion for wine. When his then girlfriend was looking to get her PhD, David insisted she find a school in wine country, thus David ended up in Oregon. After dropping off resumes at many different wineries, David settled at Cherry Hill as the winemaker in 2018. Even after 8 years at Cherry Hill, David notes the difficulties of working in an American winery. Along with the amount of cleaning, David still has trouble converting the metrics he is used to.
Later in the interview, David talks about his future outside of Oregon. David is making the move to Yakima, Washington where he plans to continue his winemaking career. David believes that change has always suited him and it’s time for another adventure. Along with his new work, David has goals of making wine just for fun for himself. He hasn’t yet been able to make wine just how he likes it, but he cannot wait to make the wine perfect for him.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Cherry Hill Winery in Rickreall on August 24, 2026.
Interview
This interview is with Ken Cook of Cherry Hil Winery. In this interview, Ken talks about how he got into the wine industry, and his work in the Oregon industry.
Ken talks about his time in the Air Force working as a mechanic, and about his time as a firefighter. Time in Germany shaped his palate, and he became excited about the potential of working with wine.
Later Ken talks about his winemaking education and his work at Cherry Hill, starting as an intern and ending as the head winemaker. He then talks about his retirement and what he’s been up to after wine.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on December 17, 2025.