When Bells Up winemaker Dave and CMO Sara lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dave learned the ropes of professional winemaking from his first mentor, winemaker Joe Henke of Henke Winery. Dave came on board at Henke Winery in January 2009 and worked under Joe for three years. We stopped in for a visit in June, when these photos were taken.
Taken in Cincinnati, Ohio in June, 2016, Henke Winery winemaker Joe Henke poses with his former winemaking apprentice, Dave Specter, winemaker and owner of Bells Up Winery of Newberg, Oregon.
Joe founded his business in 1996 and expanded it into a restaurant not long after. Today, it is a fixture on the westside of Cincinnati, with Joe’s 15 different wines frequently winning of regional, national and international wine competitions. This past February, Wine Enthusiast magazine named it one of the Top U.S. Urban Wineries.
Henke Winery in Cincinnati, where Bells Up winemaker Dave learned the ropes of pro winemaking from Joe Henke.
This weekend—Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20—Henke Winery will celebrate its 20 year anniversary with a “Cheers to 20 Years” party. Although we can’t be there in person, we will be celebrating in spirit—possibly even popping the cork on one of Joe’s amazing sparkling Chardonnay bottles.
Congratulations Joe!
