Interview
This interview is with Eric Foster. In this interview, Eric talks about his experience working with several different wineries, including Keeler, Dukes, Andante, and Left Coast.
Eric shares about his introduction to the wine industry when a friend asked him to join the harvest crew at Keeler in 2017. After this, he worked another harvest at Duke’s and at Andante. Around that time, Eric was also attending Oregon State to study earth science and oceanography.
Later in the interview, Eric discusses his more recent cellar job at Left Coast and what it was like to work in the cellar full-time rather than just during harvest. He also talks about his passion for the rehabilitation of the oak savannah ecosystem, which Left Coast devotes a portion of their land to.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Erratic Rock State Park in McMinnville on August 19, 2025.
Interview
This interview is with Shardul Ghogale of Left Coast Estate. In this interview, Shardul speaks about his career in wine and how he has always found upward movement and success.
Shardul shares about growing up in Canada and how he fell in love with flavors and scents through his father’s involvement with the mint industry. He goes on to talk about how this passion paved his path into the wine industry.
Shardul then talks about his journey in finding Left Coast Estate. He dives into meeting Taylor Pfaff and how they bonded over a shared passion for wine. Before he leaves, he shares what he is excited for both professionally and personally.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Left Coast Estate in Rickreall on June 19, 2024.
Interview
This interview is with Ben Holland of Left Coast Cellars. In this interview, Ben shares how he got into wine and some of the lessons he’s learned throughout his years working at many different Oregon wineries.
Later in the interview, he goes on to talk about the challenges in 2020 that came with the pandemic and other changes he’s noticed in the industry.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University Nicholson Library on June 13, 2022.
Interview
This interview is with Joe Wright of Left Coast Cellars. In this interview, Joe speaks about his upbringing, his early interests, and why he decided to move from Southern California to Oregon. He talks about learning the ins and outs of winemaking, as well as, his first experiences in the Oregon Wine Industry. He also shares stories and discusses memorable moments in his wine career. He goes on to talk about his growth as a winemaker and describes his style and philosophy when it comes to making wine.
Later, Joe describes his work at Left Coast Cellars. He also discusses his own label and what he has planned for his future. At the end, he offers advice for anyone interested in joining the world of wine.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Left Coast Cellars in Rickreall on June 15, 2021.