Interview
This interview is with John Faulkner of Evening Land. In this interview, John talks about his early fascination with winemaking and his journey to finding himself in the Oregon wine industry.
John shares about growing up in California and his early curiosity regarding winemaking. He then dives into an impactful experience he had during his senior year at Berkley that solidified his passion for wine. He goes on to talk about working his first harvest after graduating college.
Later in the interview, John shares about working in the California wine industry until his sabbatical in 2022. He then shares how he found himself in Oregon making wine and how he is excited for the coming vintages.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Seven Springs Vineyard in Salem on June 26, 2025.
Interview
This interview is with Raj Parr of Evening Land Vineyards. In this interview, Raj speaks about growing up in India and coming to the United States pursuing an interest in culinary school. After discovering an interest and affinity for wine, he found himself in San Francisco, working at Rubicon with well-known sommelier Larry Stone.
That began Raj’s wine journey, with stops working on the wine lists of many restaurants, making wine for a number of brands, authoring a pair of books and a regenerative farming project. Raj talks about all these paths, and about what the future holds for him and for the Oregon wine industry.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Portland Wine Company in Portland on June 26, 2023.
Interview
This interview is with Damien Lapuyade of Evening Land Vineyards. In this interview, Damien speaks about growing up in the Napa Valley with wine in the background, but only learning to appreciate wine once he got older. He talks about his initial wine experiences in Oregon and Australia, and his desire to further his education at UC Davis.
Later, Damien talks about coming to the north Willamette Valley right before the COVID-19 pandemic and landing a job with Evening Land. He talks about learning new techniques and styles, and about what he has brought to the process.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Seven Springs Vineyard in Salem on April 25, 2023.
Interview
This interview is with Sashi Moorman of Evening Land Vineyards. In this interview, Sashi speaks about his culinary background, and how it connects to wine for him. He shares his experiences entering the industry as an underdog, and gaining confidence in his process throughout the years. He also shares his philosophy of embracing risk in the process of making and drinking wine.
Later, Sashi shares his thoughts on the changing wine industry as well as his excitement for the future. To conclude the interview, he shares what is unique about his process of winemaking.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Seven Springs Vineyard in Salem on May 24, 2022.