Southern California wine reviewers, Nathan and Courtney Marton of Winery Reflections, have shared their thoughts on our current 2023 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc. This isn’t their first rodeo with our hybrid grape wine. They also reviewed the 2019 vintage and the 2021 vintage.
Here’s their thoughts on the 2023 Helios:

Nathan & Courtney Marton of Winery Reflections
Brilliantly bright and juicy beams of grapefruit, shaved lemon peel, tart green apple, and underripe nectarine erupt with crisp and zesty delight within a thirst-quenching yet thought-provoking attack. Subtle hints of wild sage and sour grass tastefully impart fresh herbal bite pleasantly enhanced by floral tones of orange blossom and lily. Intriguing earthy notes of smooth river rocks provide decidedly stony minerality to enhance and complicate the pleasantly puckering fruit-driven display.
Attractively light, fresh, and whimsical on the palate with surprising complexity present alongside outstanding refreshment; exhibiting a cheery and smile-inducing presentation that comes across as authentic and thoroughly unique. Light bodied and packed with gorgeous acidity. This 2023 Estate “Helios” Seyval Blanc is a fun and delicious white from Oregon’s Chehalem Mountains.
A French & American hybrid grape bred for its ability to ripen successfully in extremely marginal climates, Seyval Blanc is a unique variety capable of producing high-quality wine when shaped by the right hands. This bottling, crafted by Bells Up Winery using Seyval Blanc grown at their Willamette Valley estate vineyard, is an intriguing and exciting example of the merits of growing hybrid wine grapes.
This playfully radiates with plenty of energetic citrus, orchard, and stone fruits enhanced in complexity by mild herbal tones, pretty florals, and enticing minerality. It has been crafted in a “drink now” style and is ready to enjoy immediately, however it should hold well for at least another 3-5 years. Yum.