When I first joined LIVE I was doing so because of my values and beliefs. That is, I want our vineyard and winery to be producing environmentally and economically sustainable fruit and wine. I knew the grapes and the wine made from them, would be of a higher quality and better for the environment. As we have produced wine we have found that the professional buyers, that is, distributors and wine stewards,especially in Oregon and Washington, are aware of what LIVE means and stands for. And they prefer to buy wine that is a sustainable product. And as we have worked with distributors in other states, I have found that they may not know what LIVE means but as long as it means certified sustainable, they prefer wines that are of that quality. Also. the consumer are becoming more in tune to certification and want to drink wines that are certified.
The point I want to make is that being a LIVE member not only serves my values but it also is very worthwhile. Illahe Vineyards is in a better position financially because we are a member of LIVE and keep the standards set by LIVE.
LIVE is a very good investment.
Lowell Ford, owner
Illahe Vineyards
LIVE Supporters
Oregon State University’s Viticulture Extension Program provides research-based information to grape growers and winemakers to help advance the viticulture knowledge within the wine grape industry in Oregon. Extension is a service provided by land-grant institutions in each state to ensure that unbiased, relevant, and scientifically validated information is generated and shared with the agricultural communities and the public. The Viticulture Program within the Extension Service at Oregon State University consists of five individuals. The head of this team is Dr. Patty Skinkis, Viticulture Extension Specialist, located on the main campus in Corvallis. She leads the Viticulture Working Group which consists of research and Extension faculty at OSU as well as researchers at the USDA-ARS. She is responsible for leading educational programming for the industry as well as developing industry-relevant research programs. To assist her in Extension across the state, there are various viticulturists and horticulturists in regional and/or county positions. Dr. Gabriel Balint is an Extension Viticulturist in southern Oregon. Dr. Clive Kaiser is an Extension horticulturist in Milton-Freewater, representing eastern Oregon. Steve Castagnoli is an Extension horticulturist, assisting with programs with the Columbia Gorge grape growers in Hood River County. Finally, Steve Renquist is an Extension horticulturist serving Douglas County.