This interview is with Ed Hellman, a longtime viticulture specialist who worked closely with Oregon grape growers and wrote Oregon Viticulture. In this interview, Ed shares stories of his journey into grape growing, his experiences working with growers, and his involvement in the Oregon wine industry.
Ed grew up in the Chicago suburbs and developed an interest in plants and fruit while studying at the University of Illinois. He later earned his PhD in fruit breeding from the University of Arkansas. While working at Kansas State University, the developing wine industry sparked his interest in grapes, eventually earning him the nickname “the grape guy.”
Ed came to Oregon looking for a new challenge and became involved with the Oregon Winegrowers Association, where he helped update the grape growers guide and worked with growers throughout the state. He later moved to Texas, where he continued working with grape growers and helped establish research and extension programs as the Texas wine industry grew.
Through his career, Ed worked to connect research with real-world grape growing and became an important resource for the wine industry. He is now retired and continues to share his knowledge and experiences from his time in both Oregon and Texas.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon on September 24, 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.