interview
This interview is with Jim Bernau of Willamette Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Jim speaks about his introduction to wine and his journey through the industry.
Jim starts the interview by diving into his childhood introduction to wine, which spurred him and his brother to steal and experiment with their mother’s frozen grape concord concentrate.
Jim also talks about his educational journey, where he went everywhere from Oxford to Willamette University. He then shares that after college he was introduced to wine professionally through legislation.
Later in the interview, Jim dives into the creation of Willamette Valley Vineyards. He leaves us with some advice about entering the wine industry and his hopes for the future.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Domaine Willamette in Dayton on August 18, 2023.
Interview
This interview is with Efren Loeza of Willamette Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Efren speaks about growing up working in agriculture in Mexico before coming to the United States. He was immediately intrigued by working in vineyards, and asked enough questions to show his interest and start to learn the trade. When a full-time role came up at Tualatin Estate in 1980, he took it and has never looked back.
He talks about his time working with vines and also in the winery, including lessons learned and how his work has changed, especially after Willamette Valley Vineyards purchased Tualatin in the 1990s. He also talks about what he’s proudest of, and the vineyard that bears his family’s name.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Tualatin Estate Vineyard in Forest Grove on April 12, 2023.
Interview
This interview is with Clay Wesson of Willamette Valley Vineyards. In this interview, Clay speaks about his education and early work in horticulture, and his eventual transition into viticulture specifically. His work led him into biodynamics and stewardship of the land.
He talks about bringing that skillset to Willamette Valley Vineyards’ new project Domaine Willamette, and working to transition the vineyard on site toward biodynamic farming while thinking about how to scale that work as well. He also talks about what he’s seen in the Oregon wine industry and about the future of sustainability and biodynamics.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Domaine Willamette in Dayton on January 18, 2023.
Interview
This interview is with Christine Clair, the Winery Director at Willamette Valley Vineyards. During this interview, Christine talks about growing up next to WVV and discovering her passion for the Oregon wine industry. She also discusses how she became the Winery Director for WVV, the future of the winery and advice for someone looking to join the industry.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Willamette Valley Vineyards on June 22, 2018.
Interview
This interview is with Jim Bernau, founder of Willamette Valley Vineyards. Bernau talks about the growth of his business, memories from the early days of Oregon wine, legislation, and awards he has won in the industry.
This interview was conducted by Janis Miglavs on September 26, 2007.
Interview Photos
