Meet Lilly French: Chasing Harvests, One Winemaking Vintage at a Time.
Meet Lilly French. She grew up in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, surrounded by vines but not yet by wine. It took a wise boss, a first harvest, and one extraordinary glass of Chardonnay to set her on a path in winemaking she has no intention of leaving. Now in her fourth vintage, Lilly has made her way to the limestone slopes of Waipara, curious, capable, and determined to make wine of her own one day. We’re glad she found her way here to Greystone!
Q&A:
Q: What is your name?
A: Lilly French
Q: What is your age?
A: 27
Q: Where are you from?
A: I grew up in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. A place where the land has wine in its bones, even if my family didn’t!
Q: How did you get into the wine industry?
A: It started simply, a job at a wine bar in Portland and a boss who believed in me before I believed in myself. She encouraged me to experience my first harvest, to get my hands dirty and understand where wine actually comes from.
Q: Is this your first vintage?
A: This will be my 4th vintage. I’ve worked in the Willamette Valley and in the Columbia River Gorge.
Q: How did you hear about Greystone?
A: Through the grapevine!!
Q: What do you do for work back home?
A: When I’m not chasing harvests, you’ll find me in wine bars and tasting rooms around Portland, staying close to wine and the people who love it.
Q: What is the most memorable wine you’ve ever tasted?
A: Les Pissenlits by Dominique Andiran. It’s a Chardonnay from Gascogne that drinks almost like a sherry, alive with flor in a way I’d never encountered before.
Q: What are you most looking forward to this upcoming vintage?
A: Putting my hands to work in a place I’ve never been before. Waipara Valley has its own story to tell, and I’m here to listen and to learn as much as I possibly can while I do.
Q: What is your favourite Greystone wine?
A: The Pinot Noir!!
Q: Did you grow up around wine?
A: Not at the dinner table, no. But growing up in a world class wine region means wine was always nearby, someone always had a connection to something special, even if it wasn’t poured at home.
Q: What future aspirations do you have?
A: To be a winemaker! I’m working toward it, one vintage at a time.
