Ryan Sharp: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Ryan Sharp of Enso Winery. In this interview, Ryan speaks about finding a passion for wine in the Sierra foothills, and planning to have a small vineyard as a retirement project. Upon moving to Portland, he saw the ability to start the project sooner and started Enso, an urban winery and wine bar.

Ryan also speaks about his days as a touring musician, the ethos of Enso, and the incredible challenges of 2020. He also talks about deciding which wines to make and why, some of his hits and misses, and what comes next.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Enso Winery in Portland on March 9, 2023.

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.