This interview is with Andy Myer of Goldback & Trivia Wine Room. In this interview, Andy talks about his path into winemaking, starting with studying philosophy in Pennsylvania before transferring to Willamette University to study environmental science. He shares how a summer job at Cristom sparked his interest, describing his first experience in a vineyard as a “lightning catalyst” that got him hooked.
Andy discusses his hands-on learning journey, including harvests in New Zealand and Australia, working in Sonoma and Seattle, and spending time in Italy studying archaeology to understand early winemaking practices. He shares that these experiences shaped his perspective and led him to realize he didn’t need a formal degree to succeed in the wine industry.
Later in the interview, Andy talks about starting Goldback in 2016 after moving to Oregon, his work with Wine Collective, and balancing family with his career. He reflects on challenges he faced throughout his career while also emphasizing his passion for winemaking.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Goldback & Iruai Wine Room in Talent, Oregon on March 18, 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.