This interview is with Rachael Martin of Red Lily Vineyards. In this interview, Rachael talks about growing up in the Rogue Valley before leaving to pursue a career in law.
After deciding that wasn't her path and returning to the Rogue Valley with a desire to own some land and grow something, her dad's suggestion to try wine grapes launched her into a new career. She talks about her time honing her craft at RoxyAnn Winery under the mentorship of Sarah Powell.
Later, she discusses starting Red Lily, first getting vineyards planted and later starting to make her own wine. She talks about how the wines have evolved and how she values using the tasting room and surrounding space as a community hub. And she talks about the growth in the local wine industry and what comes next.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Red Lily Vineyards in Jacksonville on March 17, 2026.
Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!
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.