Wine’s Most Inspiring People 2018: A Pillar of ’s Wine Tourism Industry

By Jade Helm Wayne Bailey, a vintner known for contract in Burgundy became a two sustainable farming practices advises, year return to farming in vineyards “The best fertilizer is the farmer’s around Beaune leading Bailey to seek a footprint.” Bailey’s footprint has far new home and career in the Willamette exceeded the 50 acres of his Young- Valley. berg Hill estate in Willamette Valley to play a vital role in the Oregon Bailey searched for the right property, a wine industry. But Bailey’s feet took a vineyard where he could grow Pinot Noir long circuitous career path to Young- in the sustainable way he had learned in berg Hill. Along the way Bailey left Burgundy. In 2003, based on research his mark and gained experiences and friendly advice, Bailey purchased and business acumen that prepared the 50 acre Youngberg Hill estate. Eleven him to design a business model that acres were planted at the time and Bailey is unique among his wine industry began to transition the farming to sus- neighbors. tainable practices and expand the plant- ing to 20 acres. Soon after getting settled, Raised on a farm in Iowa, he began Bailey delved directly into his new with a connection to the land and a business community as the President of love of tinkering with farm machin- the McMinnville AVA (American Viti- Wayne Bailey ery. This lead to the study of mechan- cultural Area) Association. This dedi- ical engineering at the University of cation to serving his industry has only Nebraska and later his own patents increased over the past 14 years. on mechanical control systems. His career evolved to include producing Also on the Youngberg Hill estate was supply-chain management solu- a bed and breakfast. In addition to tions for major breweries and food grape growing and winemaking, Bailey producers. He returned to school, entered the hospitality industry and earning an MBA from the University in 2006 began volunteering as a board of Chicago and established a consul- and marketing committee member for tancy developing strategic market the Oregon Bed and Breakfast Guild plans for several regional beverage (OBBG.) Marrying the industries of makers. A three month consulting wine and tourism with a tasting room,

www.wineindustryadvisor.com bed and breakfast, and more recently benefits. Nelson points to Bailey’s Bailey’s generosity and influ- an event center, has given Bailey a dif- leadership in bringing a new per- ence also play a role in educat- ferent perspective and opportunity for spective to two annual events. ing the future wine industry. involvement. For a man described by “Wayne spearheaded an initiative to Bailey supports Linfield College fellow vintners as “passion- through internships, semi- ate,” “enthusiastic,” and an nars, tours, and employ- “amazing asset to the Oregon ment of graduates. Aaron wine industry,” this opportu- Williams, Assistant Director, nity involves investment of Center for Wine Educa- time and talents. From local tion at Linfield College initiatives, to statewide direc- explains, “Wayne’s business tion, Bailey’s footprint can be model at Youngberg Hill has seen through his generous been particularly useful for volunteerism and leadership Linfield students to survey. in the wine, hospitality, and He has much to offer stu- tourism industries. dents of Linfield programs who are interested in learn- One of his most important ing more about wine and contributions has been his the hospitality industry.” service on the board of the Willamette maximize the Memorial Day Week- Bailey has hosted students for Valley Winery Association (WVWA) end and Thanksgiving Weekend wine seminars about wine, events and including six years chairing the Market- country events. He saw potential hospitality for several of Linfield’s ing Committee. Emily Nelson, Associate for those events in the context of wine-related programs such as Director, Willamette Valley Wineries seasonal promotions as opposed to Career Development: Through Association, highlights ways Bailey has stand-alone three day weekends.” the Lens of the Wine Industry, helped build wine tourism in Willamette Wine Industry Immersion Pro- Valley. “As a proprietor of both a bou- Bailey’s leadership extends state- gram, and Linfield’s Oak & Vine tique inn and tasting room, he under- wide through a seat on the Oregon Society. Bailey also contributes to stands visitor profiles. He has countless Winegrowers Association’s (OWA) Wines Studies scholarships. conversations with his guests from Public Policy and Advocacy Com- around the world about their visits. That mittee. Steve Thomson, CEO of Nelson acknowledges, “It takes a kind of on-the-ground perspective is and Chairman lot of time to serve on industry invaluable to our organization.” Nelson of the Board (OWB), boards and committees, so will- also points out that Bailey’s offerings at has found Bailey to be an invaluable ingness to volunteer, contribute, Youngberg Hill provide “a piece of the resource. “Wayne is a great natural and offer expertise for the devel- critical infrastructure needed to attract communicator and has a breadth opment of the industry is what luxury wine travelers: high-end accom- of industry understanding that few has made the Willamette Valley modations, amazing hospitality, and others have. So he is a natural for wine region what it is today. wine experiences.” helping forge and communicate Wayne cares a lot for this com- good industry perspective for the munity—he’s “all in” and it really Pat Dudley, Co-owner, President, Gen- OWA members. In short – if I want shows.” Many would agree. eral Manager of , to quickly get a Willamette Valley served with Bailey on the WVWA Board perspective especially for a smaller She recalls it as “exciting times” explain- winery, I go right to Wayne. Addi- ing a new committee on wine tourism tionally Wayne has been a longtime was formed. “Wayne was an important Board Director for the Willamette liaison making winery members aware Valley Wineries Association and as of potential partners in the tourism such, he is also very wired into the i n du s t r y.” various policy agendas as well as Bailey has a track record of recogniz- marketing objectives of our state’s ing opportunities with industry wide largest AVA.”

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