Nathan Litke: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Nathan Litke of Illahe Vineyards and Winery. In this interview, Nathan talks about his background, his journey into winemaking, and the philosophy and practices that define Illahe Vineyards. Nathan talks about spending his early 20’s working various jobs, including raft guiding in Colorado, before returning to school, he explains how attending the Chemeketa Community College wine program introduced him to winemaking through hands-on experience, such as working in tasting rooms and participating in harvests. Next, Nathan discusses his move to Salem and later Dallas, Oregon, and how his career progressed into a more permanent role in the wine industry. He explains becoming the assistant winemaker at the Illahe Vineyards in 2016 and talks about the challenges of producing between 6,000 and 25,000 cases of wine. Nathan shares that he enjoys problem-solving and lots of experimentation with wine. Nathan also discusses Illahe Vineyards’ commitment to traditional winemaking methods. He explains that Illahe is known for producing a wine without electricity or horsepower, instead of relying on horses, hand-hauling, and technology created before 1899. He talks about the Rainbow Mug policy, and Illahe’s goal of making high-quality wines that remain accessible at a reasonable price point.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Illahe Vineyards on December 9, 2025.