Dick Aften: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Dick Aften. In this interview, Dick speaks about his journey in becoming involved with the Oregon wine industry and dives into some of the memorable people and experiences he had. 

Dick talks about getting into wine in college and how his passion for wine spurred from his passion for music. He then goes on to talk about being drafted and the impact it had on him and his journey. 

Later in the interview, Dick dives into finding Oregon. He goes on to talk about his career in Oregon wine sales and his memories regarding the early Oregon wine pioneers. Dick then goes on to share about his retirement. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on September 6, 2024 at Dick’s home in Salem.

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.