On a rainy Spring day in the Willamette Valley, Brad and Chris take a look at weather and climate. How do they affect wine quality? How do rain and drought affect wine style and quality? What happens if it rains at harvest? Is vintage variation something to embrace or avoid? What technological tools do winemakers have at their disposal to manipulate wines in reaction to the effects of extreme weather? 

Brad and Chris are joined by associate winemaker Nathan to discuss all things fermentation. Are native fermentations worth the effort? What does whole cluster fermentation achieve? Do you have to pay more attention to primary or malolactic fermentation? What do enzymes do? What happens when fermentations go wrong? 

"What is your winemaking philosophy?"

In this episode, Brad and Chris tackle the concept of a winemaking philosophy. What does it mean to be natural? Is sulfur evil? Should we put gruner veltliner in the microwave? 

How do you plant a vineyard? What should I look for in a potential site? How much does it cost? Where do I start? 

Brad and Chris discuss the process of locating, planning and planting a new vineyard in the Willamette Valley. 

Brad Ford started out at Illahe Vineyards with a wooden basket press for his pinot noir. In need of a new solution to press white and rosé must, he added a 1970s German membrane press and later a more updated pneumatic bladder press. In this second episode of Look at Wine, Brad and Chris discuss the merits and challenges of these different press types and explore the practical considerations at play during this stage of the winemaking process.

Look At Wine is a podcast that documents life at Illahe Vineyards. 

In this first episode recorded in January 2020, Brad and Chris discuss pruning and some of the challenges posed by this essential vineyard practice.