Rachael Martin: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Rachael Martin of Red Lily Vineyards. In this interview, Rachael talks about growing up in the Rogue Valley before leaving to pursue a career in law.After deciding that wasn't her path and returning to the Rogue Valley with a desire to own some land and grow something, her dad's suggestion to try wine grapes launched her into a new career. She talks about her time honing her craft at RoxyAnn Winery under the mentorship of Sarah Powell.Later, she discusses starting Red Lily, first getting vineyards planted and later starting to make her own wine. She talks about how the wines have evolved and how she values using the tasting room and surrounding space as a community hub. And she talks about the growth in the local wine industry and what comes next.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Red Lily Vineyards in Jacksonville on March 17, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!