Ken Cook: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Ken Cook of Cherry Hil Winery. In this interview, Ken talks about how he got into the wine industry, and his work in the Oregon industry.

Ken talks about his time in the Air Force working as a mechanic, and about his time as a firefighter. Time in Germany shaped his palate, and he became excited about the potential of working with wine.

Later Ken talks about his winemaking education and his work at Cherry Hill, starting as an intern and ending as the head winemaker. He then talks about his retirement and what he's been up to after wine.

This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt on Zoom on December 17, 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.