Chris Fladwood: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Chris Fladwood of Soter Vineyards. In this interview, Chris speaks about his life before wine, including his time in the army. He talks about his initial interest in the vineyard and how that turned into winemaking. He describes his work in France, New Zealand, and tells us why he decided to stay and work in the Oregon Wine Industry. He talks about the adventure, risk, and thrill that’s in winemaking and also compares winemakers to artists. Later Chris goes over his role as winemaker for Soter and offers words of wisdom to those entering the industry. His advice: trust your instincts and prepare yourself for a difficult job. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Soter Vineyards on May 7, 2021.