I took a break from campaigns and politics in 2018 and pursued my interest in wine production in Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley. Over a six year span, I worked with a half-dozen winemaking teams helping with all aspects of production, including grape processing, fermentation and bottling. Working on crush pads and in wine cellars around the valley gave me an opportunity to recharge my batteries and reconnect with the natural processes and rhythms of the growing season in one of the premiere wine regions in the world.
In 2024, I enrolled in the wine studies program at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore., to expand my knowledge of winemaking and viticulture and broaden my understanding of good land stewardship and responsible agriculture practices.
Education: A.A.S., Ongoing Coursework in Winemaking and Viticulture, Chemeketa Community College
Research
Professional Experience
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2025 Harvest Cellar Assistant
Wetzel Estate
Dallas, Ore.
Served as harvest cellar worker for the Van Duzer Corridor producer of Pinot Noir and Riesling under the guidance of owner and winemaker Andreas Wetzel.
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2024 Harvest Cellar Assistant
Violin Wine
Amity, Ore.
Served as harvest cellar worker for the Eola-Amity Hills producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under the guidance of founder and winemaker Will Hamilton.
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2023 Harvest Cellar Assistant
Lemelson Vineyards
Carlton, Ore.
Served as harvest cellar worker for the estate producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris with responsibility for pump overs, pigéage, barreling down, topping, forklifting and other cellar tasks under the guidance of winemaker Matt Wengel.
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2022 Harvest Cellar Assistant
Lingua Franca
Salem, Ore.
Served as harvest cellar worker with responsibility for punch downs, pump overs, barreling and other cellar tasks for the Eola-Amity Hills producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay under winemaker Thomas Savre.
- Merchandiser Handcrafted Wine & Spirits Portland, Ore.
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2020 Harvest Cellar Assistant
Tendril Wine Cellars
Carlton, Ore.
Served as harvest cellar worker under the direction of winemaker Tony Rynders with responsibility for punch downs, pump overs and other cellar tasks.
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2019 Harvest Cellar Assistant
The Four Graces
Yamhill, Ore.
Served as harvest cellar worker for the Foley Family Wines-owned producer of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay from the Dundee Hills and Yamhill-Carlton AVAs.
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2018 Harvest Cellar Assistant
Dobbes Family Estate
Dundee, Ore.
Served as harvest cellar worker on the Dobbes Family Estate team under the direction of winemaker Andy McVay with responsibility for punch downs, pump overs, racking, barreling and forklifting, among other production tasks.