This interview is with Steven Thompson and Kris Fade of Analemma Wines. In this interview, Steven and Kris talk about their unique paths into the wine industry, from Kris’s background in the Pacific Northwest studying wildlife, geology, and GIS mapping, to Steven’s experiences with international biking tours and harvest work in Italy that sparked his passion for wine.
Kris talks about her early interest in environmental law, her work in GIS mapping and vineyard analysis, and how her understanding of climate and landscape shaped her approach to winemaking.
Steven discusses his upbringing in North Carolina, studying cultural geography at Montana State, and hoe travel and hands-on harvest experiences led him to pursue starting a winery.
Later in the interview, Kris talks about their move to New Zealand for harvest work, their eventual return to the U.S., and how they built Analemma from a small farm into a biodynamic vineyard with 13 grape varieties, focused on community, regenerative agriculture, and natural winemaking practices.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Analemma Wines on March 11, 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.