Wine writer Cori Solomon with Bells Up winemaker Dave Specter in the estate vineyard.
As we raise our glasses to the start of a wonderful new wine year, we’re thrilled to share some exciting news. Wine writer Cori Solomon has just published her Best Wine 2025: Year In Review on The Written Palette, and three Bells Up wines were featured across her “Best of 2025” categories—a distinction that means a lot to us as a small, family-run winery.
Cori’s list reflects the standout wines she tasted throughout the year, from sparkling to reds, and the fact that three of our bottlings made the cut is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not every day that a micro-boutique producer with limited production bottles earns multiple spots on such a thoughtful, widely read roundup.
Joy Estate Seyval Blanc Brut — Best Sparkling Wine
Our Joy Estate Seyval Blanc Brut kicked off Cori’s list as her choice for Best Sparkling Wine of 2025. This wine has always been a favorite for celebrations—and for good reason. Bright, refreshing, and lively with a full-bodied fruit finish, it’s our take on bubbles with personality. That Cori selected it as her top sparkling wine this year feels especially meaningful.
2022 Maestro Estate Reserve Pinot Noir — Best Pinot Noir
In the Pinot Noir category, our 2022 Maestro Estate Reserve Pinot Noir stood out to Cori as one of the best of the year. She described it as elegant, balanced, and deeply expressive—a Pinot that captures both the terroir and our philosophy of letting each clone play its part in the symphony of flavor. Hearing it called her favorite of the Pinots she tasted in 2025 truly made our team smile.
2022 Titan Estate Pinot Noir — Another Best Pinot Pick
Not far behind, Cori also included our 2022 Titan Estate Pinot Noir in her Best of 2025 list. Titan has always been a special wine for us: our flagship Pinot that best represents the Willamette Valley—approachable yet nuanced. Cori’s notes highlighted the way this wine balances structure with generous fruit, and we’re honored it earned recognition alongside such exceptional wines from around the world.
Why This Matters
For a small winery crafting around 600 cases a year, accolades like this are deeply meaningful. Not only because they introduce new wine lovers to what we’re making, but also because they reflect the care and intention we put into every bottle. From vineyard to bottle, our goal is always to make wines that are expressive, thoughtful, and unforgettable in the best possible way.
We know that wines like Joy, Maestro, and Titan aren’t just labels. They’re the result of seasons of hard work, thoughtful blending, and a belief that great wine can come from listening to the vineyard, to the palate, and yes—sometimes even to music.
Let’s Toast Together!
If you haven’t yet tried these wines—or if it’s been a while—we invite you to join us this season for a tasting or to pick up a bottle. Call 503.537.1328 to book your private, winemaker-hosted tasting with Dave, exclusively for one group at a time.
And a heartfelt thank you to Cori Solomon and The Written Palette for including our wines on her Best of 2025 list. It’s an honor we’ll be toasting to well into the new year!
