Oral History Interviews: Amity Vineyards

Title

Bringing Vines to the Valley: Myron Redford Interview

Media

Interviewer

Peterson, Jeff

Document Type

Video File

Duration

1 hour 26 minutes 10 seconds

Publication Date

7-16-2010

Disciplines

Oral History | Viticulture and Oenology

Abstract

This interview is an oral history conducted by Dr. Jeff Peterson, director of the Linfield Center for the Northwest, with Myron Redford, of Amity Vineyards. The interview took place at Amity Vineyards on July 16, 2010 and includes topics such as early wine industry history in the Willamette Valley and the recounting of Redford's involvement in the industry along with business partner Janis Checchia.

Myron Redford moved to Amity, Oregon after learning winemaking in the early 1970s from Lloyd Woodburne and Neal Peck while working for them at the Associated Vintners Winery in Bellevue, Washington. In 1974, Redford and his partner Janis Checchia purchased an existing vineyard in Amity, Oregon. The original owners of the property had planted Pinot Noir and Riesling vines in 1971 and 1972, and Redford fell in love with the view and the way the vineyard was situated. Redford built the winery himself in 1976, and while the winery was still under construction, he and Checchia produced Amity Vineyards’ first commercial wine.

In this interview, Redford tells about his time in the industry, going into the details of the beginning, the ups and downs, and what terroir means to him. Key industry events are discussed, including the International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) and the Steamboat Conference.

Comments

This interview was conducted as part of the Oregon Wine History Project™, a collaborative research venture from the Linfield Center for the Northwest. Assisting in the production of this interview were videographers Barrett Dahl and Mark Pederson; exhibit and collections coordinators Barrett Dahl, Sara Juergensen, and Keni Sturgeon (faculty advisor); and project historical researchers Dulce Kersting and Lissa Wadewitz (faculty advisor).

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