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.