Our Winemaking Philosophy

At Pike Road, we believe the Northern Willamette Valley is the best place in the New World to grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. This is why we are committed to providing you with wines that are 100% grown in this incredible place.

"I am thrilled to be working alongside family owned vineyards. My first exposure to the wine industry was at the age of 16, working alongside my dad. I feel I am coming full circle, working with people who are passionate about their vineyards and have amazing stories to share about their grape growing journeys. I am excited to shepherd their long hours in the vineyard to bottle for everyone to enjoy!" - Head Winemaker Heather Perkin

About Our Winemaker

During her youth in Australia, Heather spent many weekends and holidays helping her dad develop a 20-acre vineyard. This first-hand experience with and exposure to the collaboration between growers and wineries, coupled with a desire to travel the world, inspired her to jump right into winemaking. Heather studied winemaking at University of Adelaide, followed by harvest seasons in Australia, New Zealand, and Oregon.

Heather first came to the Willamette Valley as a seasonal harvest worker in 2004, returning for a second harvest at Elk Cove Vineyards in 2005, after which she was hired full time as the Assistant Winemaker at Elk Cove Vineyards. Over the next 10 years Heather honed her winemaking skills as Elk Cove grew. She helped launch Pike Road in 2015. Along the way, Heather was the brainpower behind the strategic center of winemaking we call "The Hub." Her talent for systematizing has smoothed Pike Road's growth over the years as she worked alongside Adam Campbell on the winemaking team for Pike Road. She earned the title of Head Winemaker in 2023. Today in addition to working on Elk Cove wines and running the cellar for Pike Road she spends time in the vineyards meeting our growers while on the hunt for the best vineyard blocks to craft Pike Road Wines.

"My winemaking style makes creative use of the growing season’s influences on the fruit from each unique vineyard site. While I tightly regulate the production processes to ensure consistent quality, I leave plenty of room for the grapes to shine. I have always said, my role is to continue the vineyard crews' hard work and shepherd the grapes to bottle!" -  Head Winemaker Heather Perkin

Always looking to improve upon last vintage, Heather's fantastic palate and her obsession with fruit and wine quality are integral to our wines.

"Every year is a clean slate – a new growing season and a new harvest with different fruit profiles, flavors, and structure, leading to endless possibilities to improve on last year's blends." - Head Winemaker Heather Perkin