Outside, Looking into the Wine Industry
The experience of the Oregon Wine Symposium through the eyes of those not directly in the industry
The room buzzed with chatter and laughter as hundreds of people reconnected about their passion in life. As we entered the trade show on the first day, familiar faces surrounded us and our excitement grew with every step. It’s a unique experience knowing so much about those around you, yet not being apart of making wines from vines to bottle. Instead we sit back, watch and archive what happens for those in the future to enjoy. However, this was a chance for us to engage with the industry and learn more about those currently in it. So, we couldn’t wait to attend this seminar to learn from those passionate and dedicated people.
This was the fourth year that the Oregon Wine History Archives had the opportunity to join the wine industry for this experience. After a year of work on it’s history, including around 20 interviews and sorting through new collections like, wine writer Cole Danehower, we were ready to be immersed in the current industry.
The trade show was an interesting opportunity to learn more about every aspect of the industry since often times we forget that it’s not all about those who work in the vineyards and the winery. We talked with coopers from France, labeling companies from all over the Pacific Northwest and insurance representatives that specialized in Oregon wine coverage. These venders opened up to our questions about their niche in the industry and illustrated how crucial they were to the production of the final product even if they never touch the bottle.
The seminars were also a highlight for us because it gave insight into the problems that face the industry now. So often at the archives, we focus on understanding and preserving the past that often we can forget what is happening around Oregon right then. This event helped us focus on the current industry while still looking at it in our historical lens. It was so humbling to be surrounded by and learn from those who make this industry great.
One of the most unique moments was when we were walking up the stairs to an afternoon seminar. While looking over our shoulders, we happened to see Bill Blosser, Pioneer of the Oregon wine industry, walking towards a session of his own. Although we had interviewed him last year, it still took us aback to see someone who was so crucial to the current success of Oregon wine. Only in this industry can a college student and a founding member attended the same seminar in the same maroon chairs.
The goal of the archives is to capture as much of the history of the Oregon wine industry as we can and looking around at who attended those two days, it was reaffirming to see so many familiar faces from every aspect of it. From Eugenia Keegan from Gran Moraine to Don Hagge from Vidon Winery, there were friends of the archives everywhere we looked. However, it can be argued that it was even more exciting to talk with those we hadn’t interviewed yet because who knows what their story is. We can’t wait to see what experiences they have in this industry and add it to our other 80 interviews in our oral history collection.
It’s always an adventure when the Oregon Wine History Archives has a chance to interact with the industry we fill our archives with. The symposium was a wonderful way to understand the state of the current industry while finding those stories to add to our historical collection.
If you want to join those already represented in the archives or want to view our shelves for yourself, make an appointment with Rich Schmidt at archives@linfield.edu. Make sure to #ExploreTheArchives!
