Kathy Joseph: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars. In this interview, Kathy talks about what it’s like to be constantly learning, whether it is in the world of science, business, or wine. She speaks about her introduction to the wine industry in California, and what it was like to eventually make her own wine and have her own vineyard. She describes creating a sustainable business plan and how she thinks her business will continue to grow and operate in the future. Of course, she discusses what it's like working with Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and recently Grüner Veltliner. She goes on to compare what she sees in the Oregon and California Wine Industry, including environmental, varietal, and community differences. She discusses branding and effective marketing, saying that you not only have to learn the language of the wine world, but also when to use it. Later she goes over some of the memorable and exciting events she’s been a part of. She speaks about some of the relationships she’s made and why camaraderie is so important. Kathy also remarks about COVID-19 and how this may affect the wine industry on a small and large scale. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt over Zoom on April 8, 2021.