COVID-19 UPDATE – December 3, 2020: Due to current Oregon restrictions we are only able to host virtual tastings at this time. Available wines may be purchased for curbside pick-up, delivery, or shipment. Call 503.537.1328 or email info@bellsupwinery.com to order.
Featured Wines
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The 2018 release of our flagship pinot noir, "Titan," blends 41.4% Chehalem Mountains Pommard (10-year-old vines) grown on wind-blown Loess with 29.3% Dijon Clone 115 and 29.3% Dijon Clone 777 (18-year-old Yamhill-Carlton vines) grown in sedimentary Willakenzie soil. Named for Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major “Titan,” the wine aged 12 months in French oak (38% new). The 2018 growing season was characterized by consistent warm, dry days and cool nights, resulting in rich fruit flavor, balanced structure, and deep color development. -
Named for Leonard Bernstein's operetta of the same name (which was based on the 1759 novella by Voltaire), Candide is comprised of two heritage clones of Pinot Noir—74.9% Wadenswil and 25.1% Pommard (10-year-old vines)—sourced entirely from Nemarniki Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA.The 2018 vintage was barrel-aged for 12 months in French oak. This wine showcases the richer mouthfeel and spicier characteristics of these two heritage clones of Pinot Noir, made more pronounced by a warmer growing season. -
Composed of 100% un-pressed wine, 2018 Villanelle has the lightest tannic structure of our three handcrafted Pinot Noirs. Named for Paul Dukas' duet for French Horn and Piano, it combines equal parts free-run Dijon clones 115 and 777 (18-year-old vines) from Tonnelier Vineyard's 4-acre micro-site on sedimentary Willakenzie soil. Barrel-aged for 12 months in French oak, this silky, elegant and delicate wine is “the little black dress” of Bells Up’s Pinots.
The Bells Up Story:
“If you’re this successful in a career that makes you sick, stressed and miserable… how much more successful would you be doing something you love?”
That’s the question Sara asked Dave 11 years ago, following his mental and physical breakdown from more than a decade as a successful corporate tax attorney. This, while watching Sara’s professional mentor battle pancreatic cancer at age 40.
The answer, for us, was that life is too short to spend unhappy. So we turned the basement hobby that brought Dave joy — winemaking — into Bells Up Winery.
Dave left the legal field, dedicating himself full-time to learning the business of making wine as a professional at Henke Winery while we lived in Cincinnati, Ohio.
After Dave won two different amateur national winemaking competitions with two different wines, we decided to relocate to Newberg, Oregon. In 2013, we established Bells Up Winery and our winemaking dreams took root.
Today — micro-boutique, un-domaine and always open by reservation — Bells Up composes handcrafted, classically-styled Oregon Pinot Noir with grapes sourced primarily from micro-growers located on the northern side of the Willamette Valley.
The name “Bells Up” refers to a dramatic moment in classical music where the composer instructs French horn players to lift the bells of their instruments up and project sound with maximum intensity. Dave, a French horn player who performed throughout high school and college, says the winery is his “Bells Up” moment.
Experience your own #BellsUpMoment
Wine Down with Bells Up: Virtual Tasting + Community Conversation
More than just a virtual tasting where you watch other people drink wine (boring), we’re drinking wine AND introducing you to some of our favorite wine lovers. Watch past episodes here.
Perched on the side of Chehalem Mountain and overlooking Newberg and the Willamette Valley to the south, we make approximately 500 cases annually and offer a small selection of Oregon-grown and produced varietals. All Bells Up wines are sold directly from our tasting room with limited availability in select Oregon wine shops.