This interview is with Bethany Ford of Illahe Vineyards. In this interview, Bethany talks about how she got into the wine industry, and why she prioritizes working both distribution and harvest.
Bethany shares about getting her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Los Angeles, and how she go bit by the wine bug while there. While she grew up in Northern California, she traveled often to the Pacific Northwest and really loved the Portland area.
Bethany talks about moving to Portland and joining the wine industry in 2005, working in the tasting room at Domaine Serene. After a few years she decided she wanted to work in distribution, and in 2007 she also began helping with harvest work.
Later in the interview, Bethany discusses coming to Illahe Vineyards in 2009 to help with distribution, bring the tasting room plans into fruition, and take part in the harvest process. She talks about the importance of relationships and community in the industry, and how both help her to succeed.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Illahe Vineyards in Dallas, Oregon on December 9, 2025.
What is The Oregon Wine History Archive Podcast?
The Oregon Wine History Archive at Linfield University was created to collect, preserve, share, and continue the narrative of Oregon wine.
The growth of the Oregon wine industry extends from the farmers and winemakers to the marketers, scientists, innovators, and dreamers of the enterprise — all of whom are vital to the industry’s success. It is our aim to link the past, present, and future of the industry in hopes of sharing the story of Oregon wine.
Some oral history interviews are conducted on site and may contain background noise from nature, winery, or tasting room operations.