Hatching the Plan

Brad and Kathleen McLeroy are engaged in the south of France. The very next day, they visit Domaine Tempier, one of their favorite wineries. They happen to hear a passing comment that will ultimately shape their business plan. Monsieur Peyraud mentions that he makes the wine he loves to drink. Brad and Kathleen begin to hatch a plan...

Brad, the owner of a Kansas City, Missouri, wine retailer, returns home from Oregon’s International Pinot Noir Celebration full of inspiration. He’s thoroughly taken by the region and its flag-bearing grape, Pinot Noir – a grape that expresses the coming together of fruit and earth. His first words upon being picked up at the airport are, “I think we can do it. I think we should do it.” To which Kathleen responds, “I think so, too. Let’s do this.”

At the same time, Kathleen’s parents are planning their retirement on the West Coast. There was another family connection to Oregon, too: Kathleen’s great-great grandfather was a pioneer on the Oregon Trail and played an important role in the Lost Wagon Train of 1853.

The Oregon Trail

2000

The stars are aligning and a goal is set: Brad and Kathleen ring in the year celebrating the sale of Brad’s wine shop, pack their two dogs and most valuable possessions in their Subaru Legacy, and drive from Kansas City, Missouri, to Portland, Oregon. They have no house, no land, no jobs, and no plan.

Upon arriving in Oregon, Brad begins working as a cellar hand at Domaine Drouhin. He will soon work his way up to Chef du Cave.

The same year of their manifest destiny, Brad and Kathleen have the opportunity to purchase 38 acres near Newberg, Oregon, with Kathleen’s parents, Don and Carol McClure – a site that would become Ayres Vineyard and a homestead for three generations of family.

Soon after closing on the property, the family gathers at the vineyard for Thanksgiving, and they decide on a Helen Keller quote to grace the opening page of their business plan: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

It All Comes Together

2001

The first vines at Ayres are planted – Pinot Noir clone 667.

2002

Pinot Noir clones 777 and 115 are planted in the vineyard. An experimental plot of Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot d’Auxerrois, as well as Pinot Noir clones 113 and Pommard will soon follow.

2003

This year marks the first harvest at Ayres Vineyard and the first commercial vintage.

2006

After an incredible experience as Domaine Drouhin’s Chef du Cave, Brad joins Ayres as the full-time winemaker.

The Dream is Now a Reality

2008

Brad pours Ayres wine at the International Pinot Noir Celebration, coming full circle in this journey. Ayres started as and remains a family affair, with Brad as the winemaker and Kathleen as Ayres’ operations manager, while the winery itself lies below the house where Kathleen’s parents live.

2011

Ayres Vineyard achieves LIVE and Salmon Safe certification status, reinforcing Ayres’ commitment to sustainable growing practices.

2018

What’s next for Ayres? We’re just going to have to ride that wave and see what’s in store…after all, life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.