Nestled in the Mt Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA is Illahe Vineyards, a family owned and operated winery where historical, minimal intervention winemaking thrives. The estate’s main vineyard is on an 80-acre, south-facing slope that was first planted in 2000 with 22 acres of Pinot Noir. The vineyard now has 60 acres planted with seven varieties, though Pinot Noir accounts for 52 acres.

The Ford Family has a long history of stewardship and grape growing in Oregon dating back to the late 19th century. Illahe was founded by Lowell and Pauline Ford in 1983 with an inaugural planting of Muller-Thurgau on his family’s farm near Dallas, Oregon.

Today, Brad Ford is the President, Owner, Winemaker, and Vineyard Manager at Illahe. He describes that his job is simply to make delicious wines that have unique character. We think he does this quite spectacularly. Clearly detail oriented, Brad is always reaching back into the history of wine for hints and ideas on how to improve his craft. So far, his experiments have included working with horses, trying ferments in oak, acacia, and clay, and spending hours on the pedal-powered pump moving the 1899 wine from the fermenter to barrels. Brad’s wife, Bethany, manages sales and is responsible for growing their brand from regional to international recognition. Together they raise two young children, Beckett and Miette.

We take great pride in acting as a conduit between the Ford Family’s soulful Oregon wines and the dedicated families behind our restaurant and retail partners in Michigan.