Erath Winery Collection

Interviews

This interview is with Gary Horner, the winemaker at Erath Winery. He discusses his unique start in the wine industry and learning how to make wine from some of the first winemaker in Oregon. Gary talks about the future of Erath winery, using new technology in the cellar and his advice for someone wanting to join the industry.

This interview was conducted by Stephanie Hofmann at Nicholson Library at Linfield College on August 2, 2017.

This interview is with Dick Erath, the founder of Erath Winery and one of the original pioneers of the Oregon wine industry. Erath discusses his transition from engineering to winemaking, what led him to the wine industry, memorable moments, and the future of Oregon wine.

This interview was conducted by David Baker in 2012.

After producing his first barrel of wine in his garage in California, Dick Erath moved to Dundee, Oregon with his family in 1968. In 1969, he planted 4 acres of grapes, finding Pinot Noir to be the most successful. Over the years, Dick Erath designed and constructed the Erath Winery, received the Best American Pinot Noir award, and slowly expanded both nationally and internationally. In 2003, the Erath Winery transitioned from Erath as the principal winemaker to Gary Horner as the principal winemaker, and in 2006 Ste. Michelle Wine Estates bought the Erath Winery. Since this transition, Erath Winery has continued to rank among the most successful wineries in the industry and has continued to represent the strength of Oregon wines in the international wine world.

In this interview, Dick Erath discusses how his career in electronics turned into pioneering the Oregon Wine Industry. He shares some of the struggles he and others faced in establishing themselves in the early days such as water misconceptions and activism in legislature.

This interview was conducted by Jeff Peterson on July 8, 2010.

This interview is with Dick Erath, founder of Erath Winery and one of the original pioneers of the wine industry in Oregon. Erath discusses life lessons he has found in his vineyards, the evolution of the wine industry, and details about what makes different wines unique.

This interview was conducted by Janis Miglavs on November 19, 2007.

After producing his first barrel of wine in his garage in California, Dick Erath moved to Dundee, Oregon with his family in 1968. In 1969, he planted 4 acres of grapes, finding Pinot Noir to be the most successful. Over the years, Dick Erath designed and constructed the Erath Winery, received the Best American Pinot Noir award, and slowly expanded his business both nationally and internationally. In 2003, the Erath Winery transitioned from having Erath as the principal winemaker to Gary Horner as the principal winemaker, and in 2006 Ste. Michelle Wine Estates bought Erath Winery. Since this transition, Erath Winery has continued to rank among the most successful wineries in the industry and has continued to represent the strength of Oregon wines in the international wine world.

In this interview, Dick Erath shares about the early days, why he chose Oregon for winemaking, and some things he learned. To Erath, there was no question in planting Pinot Noir, and he refers to it as the “Holy Grail” of grapes. Erath also discusses the evolution of his business and the industry as a whole. He shares details on cover crops, grafting, trellising, and more.

This interview was conducted circa 2004-2006