August 2025
The Indie Wine Mixer: Southern Oregon Edition is back for its 2nd annual “Labor Day Weekend Celebration,” bringing together over 30 of Oregon’s most exciting independently owned and operated wineries. Taking place in the heart of the Rogue Valley, the event offers wine lovers a rare opportunity to taste and stock up on small-production wines while connecting directly with the winemakers behind the bottles. The event will take place on August 30 from noon to 6pm at the Phoenix Plaza Civic Center (220 N. Main) and tickets are $40. Tickets are available at indiewinemixer.com.
Founded by Ricochet Wine Company and partnered with Sound & Vision Wine Company for the Southern Oregon Edition, IWM was created to spotlight small-scale producers, many of whom craft fewer than 500 cases per year. These scrappy, self-made artisans of the wine world are often handling every aspect of their business from cellar work to sales.
The event is intentionally laid-back and welcoming, offering a chance to sip exceptional wines in an unpretentious setting. In addition to tastings, guests can purchase bottles of their favorite wines directly from the hands that made them, directly contributing to the success of small wine businesses statewide.
“This event is packed with talented winemakers doing it all on their own- without deep pockets, cellar staff, or marketing teams,” said Erich Berg, founder and winemaker at Ricochet. “They’re out there making great wine and building their brands one handshake at a time.”
Ricochet was founded in 2018 by Berg on a lark, and has since grown to be a 2,000-case McMinnville winery. Producing low-interventionist and natural wines, Ricochet strives to produce high-quality, sophisticated wines that are varietally sound and terroir driven.
A portion of the proceeds will also support a good cause: 5% of all ticket sales from each IWM event is donated to a nonprofit partner. The 2025 Southern Oregon Edition donation will go to Rogue Food Unites, dedicated to the fundamental human right for food. RFU strengthens local economies: fostering collaboration, preserving jobs for residents, building resilience, and ensuring food security and sovereignty in Oregon.
Sound & Vision Wine Co. was founded in 2018 in Talent by husband and wife team Carmen Nydegger and Joe Chepolis (winemaker) with one ton of Riesling and a dream. It has since grown into a vibrant 1,300 case winery. Sourcing fruit from local organic practicing vineyards as well as farming five vineyards regeneratively and organically themselves, S&V produces low intervention and natural wines. Their small winery and tasting room is located at 717 S. Pacific Hwy in Talent.
