Rob Ikola: Oral History Interview

This interview is with Rob Ikola of Whitetail Ridge. In this interview, Rob shares his background, career path, and how he became involved in the wine industry.Rob was born in Portland and grew up moving all around Oregon, including time in Bend and Roseburg. He attended Umpqua Community College, where he earned a business degree. Before entering the wine industry, he spent many years working in hands-on trades, including running a horse trailer company for about 20 years and operating a machine shop through a long-term business partnership. In 2012, Rob transitioned into the wine industry by starting a mobile bottling business. His company travels to different wineries to bottle wine efficiently, with the ability to process hundreds of cases per day. Around the same time, Rob planted his own vineyard in 2010, growing around 11 grape varietals. He developed a strong interest in winemaking and the vineyard lifestyle, combining his business experiences with agriculture. Rob emphasizes his love for farm life, including raising animals such as pigs, goats, and chickens. He values the independence and creativity that come with owning a vineyard and winery, as well as the ability to build something of his own. This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Whitetail Ridge in Roseburg, Oregon on March 20, 2026.Thank you to the Oregon Wine Board for generously supporting this interview as part of our Southern Oregon 2026 tour!