Featured Wines
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Named for Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major “Titan,” this edition of Bells Up's flagship Oregon pinot noir mingles 42% Yamhill-Carlton Pommard (6-year-old vines) with 29% each of Yamhill-Carlton Dijon clones 115 and 777 (16-year-old vines), all grown in sedimentary Willakenzie soil. Aged 7 months in French oak (30% new), this bold, fruit-forward, well-structured Pinot is a result of 2015’s extremely hot summer, with 25 days of 95-plus-degree heat during the growing season and very little rain. The small clusters and berries yielded intensified flavors and aromas. WINE ENTHUSIAST SCORE: 90.2015 TitanWillamette Valley Pinot Noir -
This special, limited edition reserve pinot noir is named for Paul Dukas’ duet for French Horn and Piano, “Villanelle.” Distinguished by a layered, supple elegance, this wine showcases the richer mouthfeel and spicier characteristics of Oregon pinot noir from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. It combines equal parts free-run Dijon clones 115 and 777 (16-year-old vines), barrel-aged for 12 months in French oak. Tonnelier Vineyard is a 4-acre micro-site on sedimentary Willakenzie soil, which typically yields structured wines.2016 VillanelleTonnelier Vineyard ∞ Yamhill-Carlton AVA Reserve Pinot Noir -
Named for Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite,” these grapes were sourced exclusively from Summit View, one of the highest elevation vineyards in Milton-Freewater, Oregon—at 1,150 feet. This site’s vines are rooted in Ellisforde silt loam, a deep, well-drained glacial soil that produces full-bodied fruit with concentrated flavors and vibrant acidity. Aged 12 months in French oak.2016 FirebirdSummit View Vineyard ∞ Walla Walla Valley AVA Syrah
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 nine 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 appointment — 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.
As one of Newberg’s newest labels, we make approximately 400 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.