A method of making a ductile iron article is disclosed. The method includes providing a ductile iron article preform. The method also includes deforming the ductile iron article preform by hot-working to provide a hot-worked portion of the article. The method further includes cooling the article to an austempering temperature. Still further, the method includes austempering the ductile iron article preform for a predetermined time sufficient to provide an austempered article preform comprising an austempered microstructure, wherein the austempered microstructure of the hot-worked portion is different than in other portions of the article. A ductile iron wind turbine shaft is also disclosed. The ductile iron wind turbine shaft has an austempered microstructure comprising an ausferrite matrix and a plurality of graphite nodules. The austempered microstructure has a deformed portion, the deformed portion has a microstructure that is different than the microstructure of the other portion of the shaft.