Dewey Kelly: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Dewey Kelly of Ribbon Ridge Vineyard. In this interview, Dewey speaks about his background as a chef, and later in high-tech and marketing. He talks about what initially attracted him to the Oregon wine industry and led to he and his wife Robin purchasing land for a potential vineyard.

From there, he talks about the long process of getting grapes in the ground, eventually making his own wine, and finding his place in the industry. He talks about the growth of the Ribbon Ridge AVA and about the inspiration behind some of his wines and labels. And he talks about what comes next.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 12, 2024 at Ribbon Ridge Vineyard in Newberg.

What is The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast?

The Oregon Wine History Archive at Linfield University was created to collect, preserve, share, and continue the narrative of Oregon wine.

The growth of the Oregon wine industry extends from the farmers and winemakers to the marketers, scientists, innovators, and dreamers of the enterprise — all of whom are vital to the industry’s success. It is our aim to link the past, present, and future of the industry in hopes of sharing the story of Oregon wine.

Some oral history interviews are conducted on site and may contain background noise from nature, winery, or tasting room operations.