Tyson Smith: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Tyson Smith of Copious Cellars. In this interview, Tyson talks about his path to becoming a winemaker.  

Tyson talks about growing up in Oregon and starting to make wines with his dad, who took copious notes about the process. He discusses his background as an artist and graphic designer, creating feature-length films and comics. 

Then, Tyson talks about taking the leap to making wines and the experience of releasing his first vintage. He also talks about the differences between his artistic and winemaking practices and the future of Copious Cellars. 
 
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Ricochet Wines in McMinnville on June 12, 2025.

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.