“Washington does great helping those within the industry and sharing techniques.”

Patrick McKibben (PM): Can you please update me on some basic information: date of EV graduation, current employer and position, social media handles, preferred contact details?  
Mathew Lange (ML): 2019, Results Partners, Vineyard Manager, no social, email: mathew.r.lange@gmail.com 

PM: How did you get into wine?  
ML: I grew up in Napa, California and then moved to Walla Walla when I was in my teens. I spent my entire life living in wine regions, so the interest was always there. I got my first job offer while I was working at Home Depot in College Place, WA, after I talked to a winemaker who asked me if I wanted to apply for an internship, while he was checking out at the cash register. 

PM: Is there someone in the EV world that you admire, including fellow EV alums?  
ML: Joel Perez (former director of WWCC viticulture). He was the one that helped me get my first vineyard job (at Seven Hills), which led me to the career I have today. 

PM: What’s special to you about working in the wine industry?  
ML: The people. Working in the wine industry has exposed me to many different people from all around the world. Each person brings different experiences and perspectives, which I have always found particularly special. Also, the views. 

PM: What is your favorite part of your job?  
ML: Getting to spend my days working in some of the most beautiful vineyards in Oregon. 

PM: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in the industry?  
ML: The main challenge that I faced was accessibility. Early in my career I found that there was a sizeable amount of gatekeeping. Often, it was not just what you know, but who you knew. Being such an old industry, many larger wineries, especially older ones, reserved internships for people they already knew. 

PM: What do you think differentiates and excites you about Washington wine?  
ML: What has always differentiated the Washington wine industry to me is the collaboration. I have always found that the Washington wine industry was more welcoming and helpful than other areas. Washington does great helping those within the industry and sharing techniques/knowledge. 

PM: How do you foresee climate change or social issues affecting the local industry in the next few years?  
ML: As someone who works in vineyard operations, I see them both moderately affecting the local industry in the next few years. I work and live in the Willamette Valley, where most wine grapes are dry farmed. As climate change slowly progresses, our ability to rely on rain alone will dwindle. Most vineyards now are being planted with irrigation, to better withstand the warmer summers.  

Regarding social issues, I believe that changing labor laws/availability will make staffing more difficult. Many vineyards have been looking to add tractor implements to their inventory that can reduce the need for crew work. 

PM: What are some up-and-coming trends in wine that you’re following?  
ML: I have been very interested in the emerging trend of using spatial data to more efficiently farm vineyards. For example, the use of aerial imagery to identify weak points in vineyards and designing more efficient farming practices.  

PM: What advice can you share with future EV graduates?  
ML: Take as many internships as possible and learn from as many different people as possible. Every job I have worked in has exposed me to very different ways to complete the same job, growing grapes. Being able to pull from a wide breadth of experience has proven invaluable in my career. I have learned how to do my job from many great vineyard managers, and I have also learned what I do not want to do from the same great vineyard managers. Long story short, diversify your experience. 

PM: Not to take away from where you work now, but if you could work anywhere in the world, where would that be?  
ML: Back home in Walla Walla. My job is great, and I love the Willamette, but sometimes I really miss those rolling golden hills. 

PM: What is your favorite Vine Training method? Least favorite?  
ML: Most favorite: Unilateral VSP, it looks very clean. Least favorite: Scott Henry, it is a pain to work with.