From noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 2—during Bells Up Winery’s Labor Day Open House—local author Barbara Smith Randall will sell and sign copies of her new book, “Willamette Valley Wineries.” Bells Up is one of the wineries featured in the book, which details the history of Willamette Valley wines created in the region that stretches from Portland, Oregon south to Eugene, Oregon.
Randall, the Community Editor for the Lake Oswego Review and West Linn Tidings, released the book (her first) on July 10. She relied on the contacts she’s built over the past decade to collect and document photographs and stories from both winemakers and their families. She also used Linfield College’s extensive Oregon Wine History Archive, located on campus in McMinnville, Oregon.
Author Barbara Smith Randall will sign and sell copies of her new book “Willamette Valley Wineries” during Bells Up’s Labor Day Open House on Saturday, September 2. Photo source: Facebook
A press release about the book encourages readers to “drink up this history of Oregon wineries,” noting:
Despite its short, 50-year history, Oregon’s Willamette Valley was named Wine Region of the Year in 2016 by Wine Enthusiast, besting Champagne, France; Crete, Greece; and Sonoma, California. Credit for the award can be traced to the pioneer winemakers, a small group of dreamers who—through grit and determination—succeeded in growing grapes where it was considered impossible.
Wine has been made in Oregon since the mid-1800s, but it was not until 1965 that winemaking began in earnest in the region. That year, David and Diana Lett planted 3,000 pinot noir vines on a carefully selected south-facing slope. Others joined the adventure, and through collaboration and a passion for making the best wine possible, the Willamette Valley’s wine industry was born. This book presents a history of the challenges, hardships, and ultimate success of Willamette Valley wineries.
We can’t wait to host Barb over Labor Day weekend and look forward to hearing more about her book. The book is 96 pages in paperback format and is priced at $22.99. For more information about Bells Up’s Labor Day Weekend Open House hours or Barb Randall’s book signing, contact info@bellsupwinery.com.
