This interview is with Dallas Way. In this interview, Dallas speaks about his journey into the wine industry, explaining how he grew up in Tennessee, studied business, and initially traveled to South Korea to teach English before discovering an interest in wine.
Next, he discusses how his path wasn’t straightforward, describing how a road trip to California and a job at a tasting room introduced him more seriously to wine and led to opportunities like working harvest seasons.
Dallas explains how his experiences traveling and working harvests in places like New Zealand and Australia helped him build skills and connections, eventually leading I’m to settle in Oregon and join the team at Abbey Road Farm.
Finally, Dallas talks about his future goals, including becoming more inlaid with vineyard work and containing to grow in the industry, with the long-term aim of becoming a head winemaker.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt in the Nicholson Library at Abbey Road Farm in Carlton, Oregon on February 23, 2026.
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.