This interview is with Avery Hadley of Gala Creative Agency. In this interview, Avery talks about his young company and what it aims to do for hospitality-based clients.

Avery talks about after graduating from Oregon State University, he sent out 380 applications in search for a job. Originally from Salem, Avery knew some local businesses that he was able to photograph for and eventually manage their social media. Word of mouth spread his work throughout the community where he secured more clients. After collecting consistent clients, he and his partner discussed opening their own creative agency.

Avery discusses how he chose the hospitality industry because of his mom. While his parents weren’t necessarily wine drinkers, Avery grew to love what wine brought to social settings. To Avery, wine is the best delivery mechanism for storytelling.

Later in the interview, Avery talks about how he feels about the current climate of the wine industry. While his agency aims to mimic the voice of the brand, he believes it is imports to cater to the younger generation as well. He discusses the value of the longterm return from these young wine drinkers.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Nicholson Library at Linfield University in McMinnville on June 2, 2026.

This interview is with Diego Valeri of Conur Wines. In this interview, Diego talks about his journey of becoming a professional soccer player with the Portland Timbers and eventually creating his own wine company.

Diego talks about how creating a wine company was not actually his idea, but his wife, Florencia’s scheme. However, Diego planned to wait until he retired to begin the endeavor. After nine reasons with the Timbers, Diego and his family moved to Florida where he met Frederico Garobbio and his wife Luci who were from the same area of Argentina. The stars aligned when Frederico revealed that it was his dream to produce wine.

Diego discusses his connection to wine as the center of communication and celebration. To Diego, wine was always in the middle of socializing and friendship. As the company began with four Argentinians who live in the United States, the team wanted to put their blended cultures in the bottle. Along with what is inside the bottle, the design of the labels features a cartoon dog with a special meaning to the four owners. Florencia even writes a special story on the back of each label.

Later in the interview, Diego talks about the uniqueness of Conur Wines. Specifically, Conur produces a white blend called “Mate” that blends Argentina and Oregon grapes. He also discusses his 70/30 blend of pinot and Malbec that mirrors a popular drink in Argentina.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Northwest Wine Company in Dundee on June 2, 2026.

This interview is with Jim Maresh of Arterberry Maresh. In this interview, Jim talks about growing up on the family farm, becoming interested in wine, and starting his own wine label.

Jim talks about his family’s history in Dundee. His grandparents Jim and Loie purchased the property on Worden Hill Road in 1959 and began planting many different crops. Jim’s dad, Fred Arterberry, met his mom, Martha Maresh, while working at Erath. Fred started making wine under the Arterberry label in 1979.

Jim discusses getting into the wine industry himself in 2003, working at the Carlton Winemakers Studio under the Penner-Ash brand. In 2005, he began his own label called Arterberry Maresh, honoring both sides of his family history. He has made wine every year since and overviews the memorable vintages.

Later in the interview, Jim talks about how his winemaking style has evolved over his 20+ years in the industry. He also touches on becoming a dad and how that changed his approach towards his work. As for the future, he doesn’t plan on retiring from winemaking anytime soon.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Jim’s home in McMinnville on May 29, 2026.