Illahe Vineyards is a certified sustainable winery in Dallas, Oregon. The family-owned winery integrates sustainability in everything that they do, from using renewable energy to making wine the old fashioned way, by hand. The winery makes wines including pinot noir and Riesling. It only produces about 250 cases a day.

Rainwater that falls on the roof of the winery is funneled into 3 downspouts and stored in three 4,000-gallon underground tanks. The water is used for cleaning and fire suppression. About half of the winery’s energy is currently generated by solar panels.

Illahe uses a wooden press, an uncommon feature in the Willamette Valley. Grapes are also scooped into the press by hand, allowing winemakers to leave out seeds and leaves. Winemaker Brad Ford says this gentler process actually improves the taste of the wine and removes most of the bitter tannins.

Illahe’s Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Reserve Pinot Noir are currently available.

For more information about the winery and its sustainable practices visit www.illahevineyards.com.