Hiyu Wine Farm

Where regenerative agriculture meets natural winemaking, Hiyu Wine Farm + Portland redefines the farm-to-table experience through Master Sommelier Nate Ready's radical approach to biodiversity and terroir. This 30-acre estate south of Hood River transforms conventional viticulture into an ecological symphony, cultivating over 100 grape varieties across fourteen half-acre blocks that read like a living atlas of wine history.

Established in 2010 by Ready and partner China Tresemer, Hiyu Wine Farm emerged from a revolutionary vision: embracing "the wild side of permaculture" to create wines of unprecedented complexity. Ready's prestigious background, including experience at The French Laundry, informs an approach that abandons mechanical sorting for feet-treading and basket presses. The estate operates as a complete ecosystem, where cows, pigs, chickens, and goats naturally manage vegetation without tilling, while wild fennel and flowering weeds support crucial pollinators.

The cuisine, crafted by acclaimed chef Jason Barwikowski of Portland's Woodsman Tavern and Tastebud, elevates Portland fine dining through three distinct experiences. The $100 lunch showcases estate produce in intimate pairings, while Thursday's $125 family-style suppers create communal celebration around seasonal harvests. The crown jewel remains the $250 dinner feast—a multi-course exploration where wood-fired farm vegetables adorned with foraged herbs, succulent duck glazed with estate cherries, and house-made charcuterie demonstrate artisanal mastery. Each dish pairs with Hiyu's eighteen monthly wine releases, from bright carbonic macerations to deeply structured field blends that evolve like living sourdough starters.

The experience transcends typical best restaurants Portland offerings through profound connection to place. Guests witness winemaking philosophy in action—unfiltered wines fermented in open-top vessels, each expressing historic grape lineages from Alpine varieties to Southern Italian vineyards dating to 200 AD. Ready's sommelier expertise guides tastings that challenge conventional wine logic, revealing how biodiversity creates intensity and complexity impossible through monoculture.

Service reflects the estate's educational mission, with Ready and his team sharing regenerative farming insights alongside wine knowledge. The rustic elegance of the property—where vineyard blocks intermingle with pastures and wild landscapes—creates an atmosphere both meditative and revelatory.

Hiyu Wine Farm reservations require advance planning for this sought-after Michelin star restaurants Portland contender. The monthly wine releases and seasonal menu evolution ensure each visit offers new discoveries, making this the definitive destination for discerning gourmands seeking authentic terroir expression.