Ken Bolick

Ken Bolick, age 46, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025 in Portland, OR. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 17 years, Isabelle; his parents, Carol and David Peterson of Grayling, Michigan; his brother Tom (Crystal) of Houghton Lake, Michigan; and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.

Born and raised in Michigan, Ken spent part of his childhood in Madison Heights and later moved to Grayling. His passion for hospitality was fostered at the tender age of fourteen while working at a local restaurant. This early experience, along with special mentors from all walks of life, shaped his strong work ethic and laid the foundation for a rewarding and impactful career in the culinary and wine industries.

A proud McNair Scholar, Ken graduated with a BFA in American Literature from Grand Valley State University, where he honed his skills and passion for hospitality as he worked through college. In 2008, days after getting married, he moved to Oregon with his wife Isabelle with the dream of being part of the Willamette Valley wine industry. He became a certified sommelier and-committed to lifelong learning-earned an Executive MBA from Washington State University in 2020.

Ken worked several years at JORY at The Allison Inn & Spa where he was the restaurant manager and wine director. Under his leadership, JORY was nominated as a James Beard semi-finalist for "Outstanding Wine Program" for three consecutive years. Ken's unwavering dedication to the Willamette Valley wine community led him to esteemed roles, including director of DTC for Archery Summit and properties within Crimson Wine Group. He was the General Manager of ROCO Winery since early 2023, and under his tenure, the ROCO RMS brand was named #1 wine of 2024 on Wine Enthusiast's prestigious "The Enthusiast 100" list.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Ken was celebrated for his culinary talents, vision, generosity, and love of the arts. He was a steadfast friend and mentor dedicated to treating others with kindness, fairness, and respect. Even with his cancer diagnosis, Ken approached life with characteristic resilience, often reminding those around him to "toughen up, buttercup", inspiring others with his strength and positivity.

In Michigan, a Celebration of Life event will be held on Saturday, July 26 at Hartwick Pines State Park: 3612 State Park Drive, Grayling, MI 49738. Friends, family, and acquaintances are invited to attend anytime between noon and 4:00pm with a short service starting at 2:00pm.

In Oregon, a Celebration of Life event will be held on Tuesday, July 29 at ROCO Winery: 13260 NE Red Hills Road, Newberg, OR 97132. Friends, family, and acquaintances are invited to attend anytime between 5:30 and 7:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to a tax-deductible memorial scholarship fund being set up in Ken's name. Information will be available at the Celebration of Life events.