Don Heistuman: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Don Heistuman. In this interview, Don shares his journey, first paved with music, to wine and where wine has led him.

Don dives into being born in Portland and raised in Washington. He talks about his early love for food, sociology, music, and culture. He then shares how all of his passions and experiences led him to the wine industry. 

Later in the interview, Don shares what he finds to be his proudest accomplishments and what he hopes to do in the future.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Linfield University on February 26, 2024.

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.