Illahe Vineyards

Below, Brad gets ready to cultivate the vineyard with their horse-driven plow

In 1999, after a decade helping to found and develop the Chemeketa Northwest Viticulture Center, Lowell purchased eighty acres of farm land in the mid-Willamette Valley. Today 52 acres are planted, including 40 of Pinot noir. Brad still makes wine from Lowell's earlier plantings and their old vine Gruner Veltliner has a cult following of winelovers who snap it up every year.

Brad Ford, Lowell's son, is Illahe's excellent winemaker, joining his father after working with Evesham Wood's Russ Raney and well known Oregon winemaker Joe Dobbes. A pivotal winetasting trip to Burgundy further inspired his winemaking style.

The new wineries that we enjoy year after year tend to be those with their own vineyards and a deep interest in its development. Illahe falls into that category. The vineyard's individuality grows with every vintage, and the owners are aware of the importance of managing it to allow the terroir's unique character to evolve and intensify.

"An excellent vineyard site and pinot noir, a fine facility, and a dedicated, kind, and talented team... this bodes well for Illahe's success." –Russ Raney, Evesham Wood

Illahe is a Chinook Jargon word meaning "earth," "land," or "soil."