Ryan Hannaford: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Ryan Hannaford of the Black Walnut Inn and Vineyards. In this interview, Ryan talks about how he got into the wine industry, how he found a passion for grapes and winemaking, what brought him to Oregon, the various jobs and people he worked with, and how he ended up where he is today. Ryan speaks about what he looks for when working in vineyards, what it’s like working at Black Walnut, his various philosophies, and his initial impression of the Oregon wine industry. Towards the end of the interview, he touches on how he has dealt with the pandemic, what he sees for the future, and offers words of wisdom to those looking to enter the industry. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at the Black Walnut Inn and Vineyards on July 28, 2020.