Randy Freund: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Randy Freund of Vitae Springs. In this interview, Randy talks about his vineyard philosophy and passions for stewardship and viticulture. 

Growing up in Texas, Randy wasn’t exposed to a lot of wines, but after visiting Oregon and working at a vineyard in France, he knew that he wanted to be more involved with wine. Maintaining the vineyard at Vitae Springs has allowed Randy to create a space that focuses on regenerative agriculture and doing things by hand. 

Randy also touches on his new wine brand, Cynic, where he aims to create natural wines. He also discusses the future of Oregon wine. 

 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt  at Vitae Springs in Salem on June 16, 2025.

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.