Tim and Kari Ramey: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Tim and Kari Ramey of Zenith Vineyard. In this interview, Tim and Kari share about how they turned their passion for wine into a successful business.

Tim and Kari talk about being raised as Seattle kids and how they ended up together in college. They then share about their time spent on the East Coast, as Tim worked on Wall Street. Tim and Kari share about finding  passion for wine while on the East Coast through their themed dinners with friends. 

Later in the interview, the couple discusses how they came to be in Oregon. They dive into finding, buying, and cultivating Zenith Vineyard. They then talk about their hopes for themselves, Oregon wine, and their business. 

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Zenith Vineyard in Salem, Oregon on July 17, 2024.

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.