Region: Willamette Valley (Dallas / Mount Pisgah AVA), Oregon, United States
Grapes: 100% Viognier
Body: Medium
Notes: White peach, honeysuckle, jasmine blossom, ripe pear, citrus zest, and crushed river stone, with a lush yet lifted palate, bright natural acidity, subtle phenolic texture, and a long, clean, floral finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, pan-seared sea scallops, roasted pork belly with peach glaze, thai green curry, or goat cheese crostini
The Producer
Illahe Vineyards (pronounced Ill-uh-hee, a local Chinook Jargon word meaning "earth" or "place") is an artisanal, eco-conscious family winery situated on the western clay soils of Mount Pisgah in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Founded by Lowell Ford and winemaking led by his son Brad Ford, Illahe is nationally renowned for its commitment to traditional, draft-horse-powered viticulture and minimal-input winemaking. Certified LIVE and Salmon-Safe, the winery preserves biodiversity across its site, avoiding synthetic chemicals and utilizing Percheron draft horses rather than tractors for vineyard work. In the cellar, Brad relies on native wild yeasts, gravity-flow operations, wood basket presses, zero heavy oak masking, and gentle handling from harvest to bottle.
The Wine
Illahe’s Viognier stands apart from typical warm-climate expressions of the variety by leveraging the cool maritime influences of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Sourced from estate and sustainably farmed cool-climate vineyards, the hand-harvested fruit is gently pressed—partially using traditional wooden basket presses—and ferments spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. A portion is aged in stainless steel to preserve pristine floral aromatics and piercing acidity, while a smaller component rests in neutral French oak barrels to impart delicate textural roundness. The 2025 vintage captures quintessential cool-climate Viognier character: rich white stone fruit and sweet jasmine aromas framed by fresh, crunchy acidity and a crisp, mineral-driven finish rather than oily heaviness.
Region: Willamette Valley (Dallas / Mount Pisgah AVA), Oregon, United States
Grapes: 100% Viognier
Body: Medium
Notes: White peach, honeysuckle, jasmine blossom, ripe pear, citrus zest, and crushed river stone, with a lush yet lifted palate, bright natural acidity, subtle phenolic texture, and a long, clean, floral finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, pan-seared sea scallops, roasted pork belly with peach glaze, thai green curry, or goat cheese crostini
The Producer
Illahe Vineyards (pronounced Ill-uh-hee, a local Chinook Jargon word meaning "earth" or "place") is an artisanal, eco-conscious family winery situated on the western clay soils of Mount Pisgah in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Founded by Lowell Ford and winemaking led by his son Brad Ford, Illahe is nationally renowned for its commitment to traditional, draft-horse-powered viticulture and minimal-input winemaking. Certified LIVE and Salmon-Safe, the winery preserves biodiversity across its site, avoiding synthetic chemicals and utilizing Percheron draft horses rather than tractors for vineyard work. In the cellar, Brad relies on native wild yeasts, gravity-flow operations, wood basket presses, zero heavy oak masking, and gentle handling from harvest to bottle.
The Wine
Illahe’s Viognier stands apart from typical warm-climate expressions of the variety by leveraging the cool maritime influences of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Sourced from estate and sustainably farmed cool-climate vineyards, the hand-harvested fruit is gently pressed—partially using traditional wooden basket presses—and ferments spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. A portion is aged in stainless steel to preserve pristine floral aromatics and piercing acidity, while a smaller component rests in neutral French oak barrels to impart delicate textural roundness. The 2025 vintage captures quintessential cool-climate Viognier character: rich white stone fruit and sweet jasmine aromas framed by fresh, crunchy acidity and a crisp, mineral-driven finish rather than oily heaviness.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.