This interview is with Mike Bacus of Bacus Vineyards. In this interview, Mike talks about his early career in computer programming and databases and how he made the transition into the wine industry.
Mike shares about growing up in Chicago while his dad worked as a biomedical engineer. This led to an interest in biotech engineering, which was his focus in college. After helping to develop a program to detect cancer cells, he started his own custom programming and database company before joining the team at Amazon in the early 2000s.
Later in the interview, Mike talks about starting a wine company with his daughter after purchasing a vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Before starting an official winery, he had been making experimental wine in his garage. He was fascinated by the process of grape growing and wine making and all the factors that can influence the final product.
In both the tech and wine worlds, Mike speaks to the importance of building relationships in business. While he loves his work and the intricacies of wine, he speaks about being most proud of his kids and the relationships he has developed with the people around him.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University’s Nicholson Library on August 1, 2025.
