This interview is with Carl Thoma, the owner of Van Duzer Vineyards. In this interview, Carl talks about how he got into wine and his journey to Oregon.
Carl talks about growing up on a ranch on the border between Oklahoma and New Mexico. He shares about his agricultural passions and how he began his college journey pursuing this passion. He then goes on to talk about how his professional dreams shifted to focus on private equity.
Later in the interview, Carl shares about his entry into the wine industry and his journey to Oregon. He speaks about starting out in California and how he and his wife, Marilynn, eventually came to find Van Duzer Vineyards in Oregon. Finally, Carl talks about his passion for philanthropy and how he and Marilynn strive to always give back.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on August 20, 2024 at Van Duzer Vineyards in Dallas.
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.