Feature Stories & Wine Reviews 93 Points for 2022 Prelude Estate Rosé from James MelendezJames Melendez — also known as James The Wine Guy — is a prolific wine reviewer, writer and videographer. He has produced thousands of thoughtful, wine reviews in video format since November 2006. Passionate about wine and business, Melendez is a former national wine marketing manager for a large, off-premise food and wine retailer. Recently, he began producing short-format reviews […] READ MORE International Wine Report Reviews Three New Bells Up Pinot Noir ReleasesSenior Editor Jeremy Young of International Wine Report recently asked us to send him three of our latest Pinot Noir releases, so we did. Jeremy and Winemaker Dave tasted together via Zoom call, which allowed Dave to explain the intention behind the composition of 2021 Candide, 2021 Maestro, and 2021 Jupiter. Jeremy joined International Wine Report’s editorial team in 2020. […] READ MORE Bells Up Lands on Wine Flavor Guru’s List of Top Newberg WineriesGeorge Moore is an entrepreneur with a talent for connecting with people and sourcing premium grapes. Moore and his wife Sylvia Thomas-Moore—a 20-plus-year wine industry veteran herself—previously owned a vineyard in Sonoma County. Due to health reasons the pair retired from vineyard life in 2021 and co-founded their new passion project: Wine Flavor Guru. Wine Flavor Guru’s Mission They explain, […] READ MORE 2020 Zenith Vineyard Reserve Candide Rated “Excellent” by Great Northwest WineGreat Northwest Wine’s team of reviewers — led by President and CEO Eric Degerman — recently sampled and posted their review of our now sold-out 2020 Candide Zenith Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir. Degerman has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines (including Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Idaho) for more than 35 years. He also publishes a print magazine under the […] READ MORE Drinks Business Features Bells Up Wine and Truffle Pairing LuncheonThe Willamette Valley is increasingly becoming known for its truffles as much as for its Pinot Noir. The region is capitalizing on the bounty of these fragrant nuggets with multiple truffle-themed events and tours during peak truffle season: January through March. Among them is the Bougie Truffle Tour, led by Stefan Czarnecki of Black Tie Tours. Stefan invites select winemakers […] READ MORE SoCal Restaurant Show Invites Bells Up Winemaker Dave Back for Follow-Up InterviewDuring our virtual tasting with the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), we reconnected with Andy Harris. Andy — pictured above with Winemaker Dave during Andy’s visit here in September 2019 — is co-host and executive producer of The SoCal Restaurant Show. As the ultimate locals’ guide to food, restaurants and beverages with a side of travel with […] READ MORE Urban Bliss Life Calls Bells Up “A Must Stop” in the Willamette ValleyHonest to goodness, the hardest working wine, food, travel, and lifestyle blogger and writer Marlynn Schotland — the force of nature behind Urban Bliss Life — is a treasure. We’ve been honored to know her for many years now, and she’s the most cheerful, enthusiastic, and supportive person. It’s always a pleasure to host her and her husband Alain for […] READ MORE The New Wine Review Highlights Bells Up’s Helios Amid “Spectacular” Oregon WhitesHaving written for Wine Enthusiast for over a decade, Virginie Boone is currently a Senior Contributing Editor to The New Wine Review. The publication — which debuted in 2023 — seeks to become the most interesting place on the internet for people who love wine. Based in California, Virginie is both a wine writer and critic who has written about […] READ MORE Bells Up’s Dave Specter Featured on KOIN Wine Wednesday Morning ShowLocal TV station KOIN invited Winemaker Dave to join co-hosts and anchors Emily Buriss and Travis Teich for the “Wine Wednesday” feature on the KOIN News AM Extra morning show. Emily and Travis asked Dave about the winery name, how he matches the personality of each wine to a different piece of classical music, and his background as a French […] READ MORE Bells Up Included in “Best of the Valley” Issue of Willamette Living MagazineWillamette Living magazine’s Best of the Valley 2023 issue included a multi-page spread featuring Newberg. Written by Elaine Rea, the Day Tripper “Getaway to Newberg” article showcases several local bed and breakfasts, shops, and eateries. It also includes Bells Up in the “Things to See & Do” section. Notably, we’re the only local winery mentioned! Elaine, who toured the area […] READ MORE Play Stay Eat Calls Bells Up “Charming” and “Friendly”Freelance travel writer, photographer, and videographer Scott Kendall hangs his hat in The Woodlands, Texas — when he’s not jaunting around the globe covering amazing destinations in the U.S. and Europe. The founder, editor, and curator of PlayStayEat.com, Scott recently paid us a visit on a tour of several Willamette Valley wineries and restaurants. Scott has since published a recap […] READ MORE Bites, Flights and Sights Files Two Features on Bells UpHusband-and-wife writers John and Linda Compisi cover food, drink, and travel on their blog, Bites, Flights and Sights. Passionate about travel, the pair are based in Reno, Nevada. Both are WSET Certified and serve as wine judges for several California wine competitions. They also co-founded the High Sierra Wine Society. The pair recently sampled two of our wines during the […] READ MORE Jeff Kralik, aka The Drunken Cyclist, Named 2019 Jupiter Pinot Noir “Red Wine of the Year”Sometimes praise and props slip by us. And it is SO EMBARRASSING when that happens. We even use Google Alerts, which are supposed to trawl the internet, looking for mentions of “Bells Up Winery.” Yet, sometimes those fail. And sometimes the praise is so over the top unexpected that we never in a million years would have thought to look […] READ MORE Jancis Robinson Scores for Bells Up Wines ReleasedUnder the category of “better late than never,” we finally got the scores from the wines reviewed by Samantha Cole-Johnson, the local wine reviewer for Jancis Robinson’s website. Samantha visited us well over a year ago—in June 2022—and did not write descriptions of the wines. However, we’ve been told that any wine that receives a score of 15 or higher […] READ MORE Winecountry.com Lists Bells Up Among 9 Willamette Valley Wineries for Oregon Wine NewbiesOverwhelmed by the sheer number of wineries in the Willamette Valley? Not familiar with Oregon wines? Looking for a place to start? Check out this Winecountry.com article by travel and wine writer Penny Sadler, “9 Willamette Valley Wineries for Newcomers to Oregon Wines.” Sadler also blogs under Adventures of a Carry-on. She also recently wrote about us on her own […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Revels in 2020 Candide Reserve Pinot Noir’s “Tantalizingly Plush and Expressive Display”It’s always a joy to feel appreciated. And whenever Southern California-based wine writers Nathan and Courtney Marton review one of our wines, that’s precisely how we feel. Particularly because the dynamic duo sample a lot of wine and post reviews on their Winery Reflections website and social media accounts routinely. It was extra special to read their review of the […] READ MORE Big Blend Radio Interviews Dave & Sara, Calls Wines “Special & Exquisite”Dave and Sara Specter were recently featured on the Big Blend Radio Podcast in a joint interview conducted by Lisa Smith and Linda Kissam. The four of us discussed the wines we shared with them — 2021 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc and 2021 Jupiter Estate Pinot Noir (just released) — as well as our story and approach to winemaking and […] READ MORE Fodor’s Oregon Says Bells Up Tastings “Like Sitting Down With Old Friends”Fodor’s Travel, publishers of both printed books and online travel guides, recently released their 2023 Oregon guidebook. Writer Margot Bigg, who’s based in the Portland area, visited us in the spring as she was researching the updated version of the 2023 publication. We were honored to see that she graciously included us in the print edition! Here’s what she had […] READ MORE Great Northwest Wine Declares 2020 Titan Pinot Noir “Outstanding!”The esteemed palates at Great Northwest Wine — a collection of regional wine reviewers led by wine writer Eric Degerman — posted their review of our latest wine release, 2020 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, rating it “Outstanding!” Degerman has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines (including Willamette Valley wineries and other producers in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Idaho) […] READ MORE Travel Awaits Calls Bells Up an “Amazing Boutique Winemaker Worth A Visit”Travel writer MaryRose Denton recently filed an article with Travel Awaits, an online publication focused on travelers aged 50+. The publishers started the online resource in 2018 seeking to fill a void in the travel industry by focusing on more mature, active travelers who eschew the idea of simply “sitting and watching the world go by.” Denton, who makes her […] READ MORE Winemaker Dave Goes to Bat for Bâtonnage in Wine Searcher FeatureAs part of Winemaker Dave’s approach to making white wines, he’s all-in on using bâtonnage as a technique for building body and enhancing mouthfeel. It’s a big reason for the popularity of our Helios Seyval Blanc, Joy Seyval Blanc Brut, and Rhapsody Pinot Blanc white wines. The method ensures a better balance between flavor and acidity, making all three wines […] READ MORE Seattle Refined Puts Bells Up on List for Perfect Wine WeekendSeattle Refined, a digital, social, and broadcast media publisher, is dedicated to sharing memorable stories from the Pacific Northwest. Content focuses on the interesting people, cool places and fun things to eat, drink, wear, create, try, and visit while living in or exploring the area. To that end, travel writer MaryRose Denton filed a story entitled “Puget Sound to Pinot: […] READ MORE International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association Features Bells UpThe International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) offers programs and resources for professionals writing in the field, including Food Wine Travel Magazine, which featured our 2022 Joy Estate Seyval Blanc Brut recently. Among their activities is a monthly Zoom call featuring a different winery. Winemaker Dave and Money Honey Sara were the guests for the February session. Roughly […] READ MORE Adventures of a Carry-On Features Bells Up Story, WinesWine writer and blogger Penny Sadler has been writing about wine and travel for over a decade. She’s chronicled adventures throughout prominent Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese wine regions, as well as those in Texas, California, and New York. She recently joined us for a virtual wine tasting through the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and subsequently […] READ MORE The Boston Globe Includes Bells Up in Willamette Valley Travel CoverageA pair of travel writers for The Boston Globe, Diane Bair and Pamela Wright, recently featured our region in an article entitled, “In search of good pinot noir, truffles, and friend time in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.” One of the activities the duo experienced was a “Bougie Truffle Tromp,” hosted by Stefan Czarnecki of Black Tie Tours in March. These events, […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Declares 2020 Jupiter Estate Pinot Noir “Bold and Beguiling”The latest Bells Up wine to be reviewed by Southern California-based wine reviewers Nathan and Courtney Marton is the 2020 Jupiter Estate Pinot Noir. The Martons sample a lot of wine, posting reviews on their Winery Reflections website and social media accounts nearly every day. They’re among our biggest cheerleaders, having reviewed many of our wines over the past several […] READ MORE Food Wine Travel Magazine Features Bells Up’s Joy Seyval Blanc BubblesWine and travel writer Pam Baker—who visited us last August with her husband Gary on assignment for WineTraveler.com—recently filed a new story for Food Wine Travel (FWT) Magazine. The feature, “Where to Find Sparkling Wine in Willamette Valley,” recaps several producers of bubbles in our region. Pam featured our new 2022 Joy Estate Seyval Blanc Brut in her coverage. Based […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Praises 2019 Titan Pinot Noir’s “Juicy and Expressive” CharacterSouthern California-based wine reviewers Nathan and Courtney Marton — who post on their Winery Reflections website and social media accounts nearly every day — recently shared their impressions of our 2019 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. The pair is always incredibly generous with their time and notes, having reviewed previous vintages of Titan, including 2015 (now available as a library […] READ MORE The Pink Grape’s Anthony Metzger Interviews Winemaker Dave for Video PodcastWinemaker and podcaster Anthony Metzger produces video interviews of winemakers from around the world on his YouTube Channel, The Pink Grape. His purpose is to have fun, be entertained, discover new wines, and meet great people. So, when he reached out to ask if Dave would spend a few minutes doing an interview, of course we said yes. Metzger asks […] READ MORE Wine Writer Elizabeth Smith Covers Bells Up’s “End of the Beginning”During harvest, award-winning wine writer and journalist Elizabeth Smith paid us a return visit. She previously covered us for an assignment in the Napa Valley Register, and asked if she could pop in again during another trip to the Willamette Valley. A former college professor who also happened to have a musical background, we had a great visit with Smith […] READ MORE WineTraveler Calls Bells Up A “Best Willamette Valley Winery to Visit for Wine Tasting”This past August we had a delightful time hosting wife-and-husband wine and travel writers Pam and Gary Baker. The pair were visiting Willamette Valley wineries on assignment for Winetraveler.com, the largest wine tourism-focused website in the U.S. Based in California, the Bakers have visited and reported on several famous wine regions. The pair is also a member of the International […] READ MORE Weinnotes’ AJ Weinzettel Interviews Dave and Sara at Bells Up for Podcast VideoLocal wine writer, A.J. Weinzettel, produces the Weinnotes website and video podcast series. He paid us a visit a couple of years ago, and asked if we’d be interested in participating in one of his podcast recordings. Of course we said yes! He writes, in his intro to the recording: The podcast for this week is all about Dave and […] READ MORE 2020 New World Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is “Unique and Highly Compelling” says Winery ReflectionsNathan and Courtney Marton of Winery Reflections recently reviewed our 2020 New World Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and we are THRILLED that they enjoyed it so much. The Southern California-based pair have been enthusiastic supporters and reviewers our wines for many years (they even visited us back in 2019). But we’re still always a little nervous when we send them samples (or […] READ MORE Hippie In Heels Puts Bells Up on Best Wineries in the Willamette Valley ListRegional writer Aliya Hall filed a report for the travel and tourism website, Hippie In Heels, to help readers discover “The Best Wineries in Willamette Valley“… and we were thrilled to discover we were included! The article offers a guide to help visitors decide which wineries to visit during their time in the Willamette Valley. Hall writes: Oregon might be […] READ MORE Winerabble Reviews All Three Bells Up 2020 Pinot NoirsBased in Portland, wine experts and reviewers Michele Francisco and Matt Talbot produce Winerabble, an online resource covering all things Pacific Northwest wine. Their extremely accessible, unpretentious approach ensures that their content is newbie friendly. Yet, as both have backgrounds in wine buying, marketing, tasting, reviewing and judging, they’re a great resource for connoisseurs as well. Michele and Matt have […] READ MORE Wine Industry Network Advisor Asks Winemaker Dave for Thoughts on 2023Online publication Wine Industry Network Advisor is the go-to resource for the wine business, covering a variety of industry news and topics. As part of its goal to connect and speak with North American wine professionals, the magazine queried a variety of winemakers for a feature to kick off the New Year. They posed two questions, which Winemaker Dave answered… […] READ MORE 2020 Jupiter Estate Pinot Noir Scores 94 Points From Drink The BottlesLocated in the Midwest, wine reviewers, writers, and bloggers Melissa and Jeff Lawson curate and produce content for their Drink The Bottles website. The couple personally sample and review every wine they post about, with a decidedly unpretentious and down-to-earth approach. The pair only feature wines they feel have universal appeal. As they write: “These are wines that we would […] READ MORE Bells Up’s Prelude Estate Rosé Featured By A Blonde VintageMarissa Ooyevaar, who creates travel, wine, and lifestyle content across multiple channels as A Blonde Vintage, is a Willamette Valley wine insider and connoisseur. A couple of months ago she paid us a visit and tasted through our lineup, subsequently including us in her feature, “The Best Oregon Wineries In Oregon Wine Country.” Marissa also included us in a recent […] READ MORE 91 Points for 2021 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc From Drink The BottlesTaking a decidedly unpretentious and down-to-earth approach, Midwesterners Melissa and Jeff Lawson curate and produce content for their Drink The Bottles website. The wine reviewers writers, and bloggers personally sample and review every wine they post to their site. Their intent is to focus attention on wines they believe have universal appeal, noting: “These are wines that we would be […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Declares 2021 Prelude Rosé “Expressive and Irresistible”Southern California-based wine reviewers Nathan and Courtney Marton (who visited us pre-Covid) share their impressions of different vintages on their Winery Reflections website and social media accounts nearly every day. The pair recently documented their thoughts on the newest Bells Up estate “Brosé,” the 2021 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir (they’ve previously said very kind things about previous bottlings […] READ MORE Oregon Wine Press Interviews Winemaker Dave for Feature on 2020 WildfiresOregon Wine Press Editor-in-Chief Michele Francisco is one of our favorite local wine writers and reviewers. She’s a straight-shooter with a knack for great storytelling, and one who doesn’t back down from a challenge. And yet, even she admits to thinking twice about writing about the wildfires that hit Oregon—and, more specifically, the Willamette Valley (including one that was less […] READ MORE Great Northwest Wine Deems 2019 Titan Pinot Noir “Excellent!”Great Northwest Wine’s review team — led by President and CEO Eric Degerman — recently sampled and posted their review of our now sold-out 2019 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Degerman, who has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines (including Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Idaho) for more than 35 years, recently began publishing a print magazine under the Great […] READ MORE Wine Writer John Vankat Praises Bells Up’s 2021 Helios Seyval Blanc in Arizona Daily SunWhen we heard that Flagstaff, Arizona-based wine reviewer and writer John Vankat, wine columnist for the Arizona Daily News and Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine, was looking to sample wines made from uncommon or lesser known grapes, we debated sending him the 2021 Helios Seyval Blanc. Shipping wine to Arizona in the middle of summer is no small (or inexpensive) […] READ MORE Drink the Bottles Awards Prelude Estate Rosé 92 PointsWine reviewers, writers, and bloggers Melissa and Jeff Lawson curate and produce content for their Drink The Bottles website. The pair personally sample and review every wine they post about, with a decidedly unpretentious and down-to-earth approach. Located in the midwest, the duo only write about wines they believe have universal appeal. As they explain it: “These are wines that […] READ MORE VinePair Features Winemaker Dave’s Harvest “Must Have”VinePair, one of the largest digital media companies delivering accessible, entertaining, and inspiring content about drinks culture and important trends and topics in wine and other adult beverages, recently featured Bells Up winemaker Dave Specter in a round up article for Harvest 2022. “We Asked 10 Winemakers: What’s the One Thing You Can’t Live Without During Harvest?,” written by Mark […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Calls 2021 Helios Seyval Blanc “Distinct and Delicious”Winery Reflections’ Nathan and Courtney Marton (who visited us pre-Covid) have shared their latest review of a Bells Up wine, this time focused on our 2021 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc. The married power reviewers are based in Southern California, and are always so generous with their time and notes. We couldn’t wait to hear what they thought of our latest […] READ MORE The Legacy of a Legend: Joe Henke Retires Henke WineryIt would be tremendously difficult to overstate the importance of Joe Henke, owner and winemaker at Cincinnati’s own Henke Winery, to the establishment of Bells Up Winery. Winemaker Dave at Bells Up owes Joe an enormous debt for generously sharing everything he knew about winemaking from 2009-2012. Joe took Dave under his wing as an unpaid cellar rat, allowing him […] READ MORE Vino-Sphere Reviews Bells Up’s 2021 Rhapsody and 2021 HeliosDave Nershi, publisher, writer and reviewer of the Vino-Sphere wine blog recently published his reviews of the 2021 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc and Rhapsody Pinot Blanc in a round-up of several Willamette Valley white wines. Nershi, who featured us previously after a tour of the Willamette Valley, posted “Willamette Whites Gaining Critical Acclaim,” noted the following: If you assume that Willamette […] READ MORE Drink In Life Includes Bells Up In Coverage of 2022 Late Spring FrostIn the Willamette Valley this spring, April 14-15 (just in time for taxes!), our region got hit by an extremely late frost—the first late frost in some 80 years. As the Oregon wine industry didn’t kick off until about six decades ago, nobody in the knew what to expect. That triggered a panic within the winemaking/growing community, which seems to […] READ MORE The Drunken Cyclist’s 2022 Rosé Review Panel Calls Bells Up 2021 Prelude “Excellent”Once again, we submitted a bottle of our “Brosé” (2021 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir) to Houston-based wine writer and reviewer Jeff Kralik, who blogs under the moniker “The Drunken Cyclist.” Annually since 2017, Kralik has conducted what he believes to be the largest blind tasting of American “True Rosés.” This year’s tasting—the sixth annual—saw 51 entries, which were […] READ MORE AdVINEtures’ Allison and Chris Wallace Feature Bells Up In Willamette Highlights ReelAllison and Chris Wallace, travel and wine writers who author the AdVINEtures blog, recently posted a video recap of their journey through the Willamette Valley. (that’s them, pictured with Winemaker Dave, in the photo above). They previously featured us in a lengthy post, reviewing the experience and several wines. It was lots of fun to see their final compilation video. […] READ MORE A Blonde Vintage Recommends Bells Up’s Tasting ExperienceWillamette Valley wine insider Marissa Ooyevaar, who creates travel, wine, and lifestyle content across multiple channels as A Blonde Vintage, cut her professional teeth in the Oregon wine industry. So when she asked to visit us on a recent itinerary, we readily agreed. Not only was it a wonderful visit, Marissa knows her wine and we learned a ton FROM […] READ MORE WineTraveler Highlights Bells Up Among “The Best Wineries to Visit in Willamette Valley”Winetraveler.com, the largest wine tourism-focused website in the U.S., has shared its “Essential Willamette Valley Itinerary & Travel Guide for Wine Lovers” — and Bells Up has made the list of the site’s “Best Wineries to Visit in Willamette Valley.” The site offers travelers across multiple demographics insights and suggestions to help them plan their perfect wine vacation, with detailed […] READ MORE Winerabble Declares 2019 Titan Pinot Noir “Mouthwatering”Michele Francisco and Matt Talbot — Pacific Northwest wine experts and reviewers — produce Winerabble, an online resource covering all things wine with an extremely accessible, unpretentious approach. Both have backgrounds in wine buying, marketing, tasting, reviewing and judging. They’ve translated their endless curiosity about regional wines and the people who produce them into easy to understand, educational gems ideal […] READ MORE 2021 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc is “A Unique and Interesting White,” Says Winery ReflectionsThe latest Bells Up wine review from Winery Reflections’ Nathan and Courtney Marton (who visited us pre-Covid) features 2021 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc, sourced from Plum Hill Vineyards in Gaston and Elkhorn Ridge Vineyard in Monmouth. The duo of married power reviewers are based in Southern California, and are always tremendously gracious with their time and their praise, so we were […] READ MORE Great Northwest Wine Rates 2020 Jupiter Estate Pinot Noir “Outstanding!”The team of iconic regional wine reviewers led by Eric Degerman of Great Northwest Wine has posted their review of our latest wine release, 2020 Jupiter Estate Pinot Noir. Degerman, who has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines (including Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Idaho) for more than 35 years recently began publishing a print magazine under the Great Northwest […] READ MORE 2021 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc Reviewed by WinerabblePacific Northwest wine experts and reviewers Michele Francisco and Matt Talbot produce Winerabble, an online resource covering all things wine with an unpretentious and educational approach. Both have backgrounds in wine buying, marketing, tasting, reviewing and judging — and are endlessly curious about regional wines and the people who produce them. Michele was one of the very first people to […] READ MORE Screw It Wine Magazine Features Bells Up’s White WinesPublished by Triangle Around Town, Screw It Wine magazine focuses on wine, beer, food, and travel in both North Carolina and across the U.S. The digital, e-publication recently included a feature story filed by Dave Nershi, publisher, writer and reviewer of Vino-Sphere wine blog. Nershi, who featured us previously after a tour of the Willamette Valley, asked us to submit […] READ MORE Wine Reviewer Ellen Landis Praises “Stimulating New Releases” Prelude, Rhapsody, and JupiterCertified sommelier, wine writer, and international wine judge Ellen Landis again agreed to review three of our new releases (which she’s done several times before, as well as written a feature about us for Great Northwest Wine). We were thrilled to see her new reviews of the 2021 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, the 2021 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc, and […] READ MORE Bells Up Featured in Wine Business Article on Magic in the Mountains EventWe were again delighted to be one of the featured wineries at the Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers Association’s (CMWA) third installment of Magic in the Mountains back on Saturday, June 4. The annual event — hosted in the ballroom at the Allison Inn and Spa (just a stone’s throw away from our winery and vineyard) — showcases the broad range of […] READ MORE Winerabble Reviews Bells Up’s 2021 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot NoirWinerabble’s Michele Francisco and Matt Talbot recently reviewed our 2021 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir on their site (along with the great bottle shot in front of their epic mother-of-pearl tile backsplash!), writing: Wow, talk about color! A 40-hour soak on the skins created a rosé that is most definitely candy apple red. Owner/winemaker Dave Specter allowed the wine […] READ MORE Decanted Podcast Features Bells Up in Post-Willamette Valley Tour RecapWe recently hosted Dave Adams and Sandi Everingham, hosts and producers of the Decanted Podcast which invites listeners to join the pair for fun, lighthearted and informative discussions. Self-professed “wannabe-wine-snobs” Sandi and Dave talk wine tasting, wine travel, and wine education in their recordings. They also feature winemaker interviews and wine events. Based in Washington, Dave and Sandi are not […] READ MORE James Melendez Scores 2019 Titan and 2020 Jupiter 94 Points EachJames Melendez — who produces both written and filmed wine reviews on his site and social media outlets as “James The Wine Guy” — has been sharing his love of wine with readers and viewers since November 2006. Thoughtful, meticulous, and passionate about wine and and the business, Melendez has filmed and posted thousands upon thousands of recorded wine reviews. […] READ MORE Wine Reviewer Paul Gregutt Picks 2021 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc as “Wine of the Week”Paul Gregutt, former full-time Oregon wine reviewer for Wine Enthusiast from 1998 to 2021 (who has reviewed our wines—including now sold out 2018 Titan, 2018 Candide, and 2018 Villanelle Pinot Noirs several times over the years), recently started his own review site: PaulG on Wine. His vision is to make the site a source for wine industry news, topical commentary […] READ MORE AdVINEtures’ Allison and Chris Wallace Review Bells Up’s Personal Tasting Experience, WinesAdVINEture’s Allison and Chris Wallace paid us a visit during their recent trip to the Willamette Valley from their home base in Canada (that’s them, pictured with Winemaker Dave, in the photo above). We’ve been following them on social media forever, so it was nice to finally meet them in person. Intrepid travelers, the pair shares the stories of their […] READ MORE Wine Review Online’s Michael Apstein Calls Bells Up’s Wines “A Delight”Prominent wine reviewer Dr. Michael Apstein—who curates his own wine review website “Apstein on Wine” as well as contributes a column to Wine Review Online—recently sampled three of our latest releases. He filed the same review article on both sites, (here and here). Apstein has been writing about wine for more than 30 years, including producing more than 300 wine […] READ MORE Marlynn Schotland of Urban Bliss Life “In Love” with 2020 New World Cabernet SauvignonUrban Bliss Life blogger-photographer-social media influencer extraordinare Marlynn Schotland recently came in with her partner and husband Alain to sample our latest lineup of wine releases. We’ve known them both for a long time; Marlynn has even created an amazing Pinot Noir brownie recipe using our Titan (the brownies are also amazing made with Candide Reserve Pinot Noir). She’s also […] READ MORE Kathleen Willcox Reviews Bells Up’s Helios Seyval BlancWine writer and reviewer Kathleen Willcox has written about our half-acre of estate Seyval Blanc in what wound up being Wine Industry Network Advisor’s second-most read article of 2021: “The Future of Winemaking is Hybrid.” So we were delighted when she agreed to sample a bottle earlier this spring. Willcox, who writes about wine, food and culture, is often featured in […] READ MORE “Precise, Thoughtful, Handcrafted” – Kathleen Willcox’s Thoughts on Bells Up’s 2019 Titan and 2020 JupiterKathleen Willcox, a wine writer and reviewer who contributes to Wine Searcher, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Industry Network Advisor, and Liquor.com (as well as other publications), has written about us before (here and here), but had never sampled our wines. Which is why we asked if we could send her a couple of bottles for consideration this spring. She agreed to […] READ MORE 2021 Rhapsody, Helios, and Prelude Releases Commended by Owen BargreenProlific wine reviewer and Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers Dr. Owen Bargreen, who interviewed Winemaker Dave last spring on Instagram Live, has again reviewed our latest spring releases. He shared his advance notes with us on 2021 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc, 2021 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc, and 2021 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir ahead of publishing […] READ MORE 2019 Firebird Syrah is “Terrifically Complex and Engaging” says Winery ReflectionsThe dynamic duo of married wine reviewers Nathan and Courtney Marton of Winery Reflections have been enthusiastic supporters and reviewers our wines for many years (they even paid us a visit back in 2019). Yet we still hold our breath every time we send them samples! We actually tried to send them the 2019 Firebird Summit View Vineyard Syrah last […] READ MORE Choice Wineries Names Bells Up #2 In Top 10 Best Wineries ListScoring and ranking the best U.S. wineries to visit, Choice Wineries focuses on helping consumers — from newbies to connoisseurs — to enhance their wine drinking experience. The site recently unveiled its list of “The 10 Best Wineries In Oregon,” and we were thrilled (and surprised) to discover that we ranked #2! The post notes Oregon’s growing international reputation for […] READ MORE Talk-A-Vino’s “Passion and Pinot” Series Posts Update After Visit to Bells UpWine writer and reviewer Anatoli Levine, who produces the Talk-A-Vino blog, has been collecting “Stories of Passion and Pinot” in a series featuring Oregon winemakers since 2016. He originally interviewed Winemaker Dave long distance, and reviewed some wine samples we sent him, back in 2019. But we had never had the chance to meet Levine in person until last August […] READ MORE Wine Writer Margot Savell Puts Helios On Favorite 50 Wines of 2021 ListWe just discovered that wine writer Margot Sinclair Savell and her husband Dave Savell included 2020 Helios Seyval Blanc on their list of “Favorite 50 Wines in 2021.” The couple, who review wine and spirits on their site Write for Wine – It’s Wine O’Clock Somewhere, also included 2020 Helios on their list of the top 20 sparkling, white, and […] READ MORE Wine Reviewer Owen Bargreen Interviews Bells Up Winemaker Dave SpecterDr. Owen Bargreen — prolific wine reviewer and Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers — interviewed Bells Up winemaker Dave Specter a few months ago for Oregon Wine Month face-to-face via Instagram Live. Bargreen has been reviewing our wines practically from the beginning of our production, and he periodically checks in on us physically in-person, via email […] READ MORE Two Bells Up 2019 Pinot Noirs Scored in Wine Writer Jeff Kralik’s Annual TastingFor the fourth year, wine writer and reviewer Jeff Kralik, aka “The Drunken Cyclist,” conducted his annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir this past November. (Jeff featured Bells Up in his regular Wednesday Winery Spotlight post a couple of months ago.) He emailed us this fall to invite us to submit any pinots we’d like to be considered. Ultimately, Jeff […] READ MORE Crushed Grape Chronicles Highlights Visit To Bells Up With Feature Video, StoryIt was such fun to finally meet wine writers, reviewers and media producers Robin and Michael Renken of Crushed Grape Chronicles this past August as they took a lengthy road trip they called “The Scenic Route 2021.” The pair have previously featured our wines in both video and written format twice: Once as their choice to celebrate the start of […] READ MORE Wine Bulletin Features Bells Up In Focus On Small Willamette Valley ProducersWine Bulletin’s Joe Campbell recently interviewed three representatives of three different Willamette Valley American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), including ours — with Bells Up winemaker Dave Specter discussing the Chehalem Mountains AVA (where our vineyard and winery are located). Based out of the Sierra Foothills of California, Campbell is a software consultant by day who spends his weekends and evenings working […] READ MORE Helios Recommended by Wine Writer Margot Sinclair Savell for the HolidaysIt’s that time of the year when wine writers release their picks for the best wines of the year, or about the wines that made the cut for their personal holiday tables. Margot Sinclair Savell, who reviews on the site Write for Wine – It’s Wine O’Clock Somewhere, recently published her list of the top 20 sparkling, white, and red wines […] READ MORE James The Wine Guy Puts TWO Bells Up Pinots On His Top 100 Wines Of 2021 ListProlific wine reviewer, writer and videographer James Melendez of James The Wine Guy, recently released his 11th annual list of the Top 100 Wines he tasted in 2021. And, much to our great surprise, TWO of Bells Up’s pinot noirs were included: 2018 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, to which he awarded 94 points (out of 100) when he reviewed it, […] READ MORE This holiday season instead of showing you our brass, we thought we’d show you our buns. It wouldn’t be a seasonal greeting from the Specters if there wasn’t a bad pun or two. So some things haven’t changed. Although this year, we are deviating from our usual mailed card to a 100% digital holiday missive. It’s been a wild year and we’re currently living in full chaos. More on that in a bit. First, a recap… Sara […] READ MORE Latest Sips N Tips Recipe Pairs Rhapsody Pinot Blanc with Fall-Inspired Creamy Leek TartineOne of our favorite wine and travel writers, Caitlin Hodges, was again inspired to create a new recipe to pair with one of our wines — this time Rhapsody Pinot Blanc. Inspired by the cooler fall temperatures, Hodges makes the case for enjoying white wines year-round (as opposed to only in the warmer summer months) with her Creamy Leek Puff […] READ MORE Mahindra USA Features Bells Up in Series of Customer StoriesWe’ve kept this quiet for MONTHS now, but in April this year we were contacted by Holly Brinkman, Head of Corporate Communications for the Mahindra Group, which includes the Mahindra Ag North America — and manufacturer of our trusty tractor. She’d seen our Instagram posts and invited us to be included in a series of customer profiles she’s been working […] READ MORE Wine Writer Margot Sinclair Savell Says Bells Up’s Wines “Hit All The Right Notes”Margot Sinclair Savell and her husband Dave Savell came down from the Seattle area to join us for a visit this past summer and graciously tasted through the wines available at that time. A former national journalist in Canada and the U.S., she recently posted an article about the experience, as well as her tasting notes, on her blog Write […] READ MORE “Bells Up: Being Unique is Contagious.” Daily Ovation’s Wine ReviewsWhen Joe Wehinger, CEO of United Digital & Associates, publisher of Daily Ovation magazine, visited us over the summer, he tasted through our current (at that time) wine line up. In addition to writing incredibly kind things about us in a recent article, “Willamette Valley’s Bells Up Winery is Portland’s answer to Music in the Bottle with Bright, Bold Pinot […] READ MORE The Wine Write, Randy Smith, Interviews Bells Up Winemaker Dave SpecterWine writer and reviewer Randy Smith (pictured at right), who publishes The Wine Write blog, paid us a visit over the summer to sample the wines and experience our particular brand of hospitality. Smith, who started his blog in 2011, interviews and writes about winemakers and others in the wine industry whom he finds interesting. Apparently he found Dave interesting, […] READ MORE Visit Oregon Declares Bells Up Their “FAVORITE Winery in All of Willamette Valley”Travel and tourism site Visit Oregon recently published its list of “The Best Wineries in Oregon,” and — as you might expect — there are some heavy hitting names on there, including Bergstrom, Archery Summit, Rex Hill, and Argyle. So you can imagine our shock when we discovered that we were included in the list, at number 10. Just to […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Says 2018 Titan Pinot Noir is “Alluring and Approachable”Husband-and-wife wine reviewers Nathan and Courtney Marton of Winery Reflections have been graciously sampling and writing about our wines for several years now (they even paid us a visit back in 2019). So, of course, we sent them the latest release of our flagship wine — 2018 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir — last spring. They posted a review encapsulating […] READ MORE Daily Ovation Calls Bells Up “Portland’s Answer to Music in the Bottle”Over the summer we were visited by Joe Wehinger, CEO of United Digital & Associates, publisher of Daily Ovation magazine, and writer about all things food, wine, spirits, travel, technology and philanthropy. The result? Joe wrote about us in a recent article, “Willamette Valley’s Bells Up Winery is Portland’s answer to Music in the Bottle with Bright, Bold Pinot Noir.” […] READ MORE Napa Valley Register Says A Visit To Bells Up Is “Like Coming Home”Award-winning wine writer and journalist Elizabeth Smith, who hails from the Napa/Sonoma region, recently paid us a visit as she was working on an assignment for the Napa Valley Register. The article, “Three Oregon AVAs in a Day” was recently published in the “On Wine” section of the newspaper. It features two other wineries in addition to us (Lenné Estate […] READ MORE 2018 Titan’s Lingering Berry and Vanilla Finish Noted by The Nittany EpicureanAn attorney and wine reviewer based in New York, Michael Chelus features a different wine daily six days a week (on Sundays he recaps the previous week’s highlights from the worlds of food, wine, beer, cocktails and spirits) on the Nittany Epicurean blog. Chelus has been sampling wine and documenting his thoughts online since 2013. Chelus has been producing a […] READ MORE Wine Writer Jeff Kralik Reviews Bells Up’s 2020 Helios, RhapsodyAs we shared a couple of weeks ago, we were honored to be sought out by wine writer and reviewer Jeff Kralik, who blogs as “The Drunken Cyclist,” during his visit to the Willamette Valley at the end of July. Jeff had already reviewed our 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir as part of his comprehensive, annual blind tasting […] READ MORE Travel Oregon Features Bells Up In “Road Tripper’s Guide To The Portland Region”Travel writer Kay Kingsman, based in Portland, included Bells Up in “Road Tripper’s Guide To The Portland Region,” a travel itinerary featured by Travel Oregon. Kingsman, the voice behind The Awkward Traveller blog where she often recounts her hilariously embarrassing adventures abroad, also uses her platform to provide tips and information to make travel more accessible and attainable. She’s also been […] READ MORE When Life Handed Us Lemons, We “Called A Cab” – And The Drunken Cyclist Loves ItThe secret is out. In 2020, we made a Cabernet Sauvignon. It was Dave’s first time touching that grape in more than 10 years, since he last made a Cab as an amateur winemaker in our Cincinnati basement. Now, how did this happen, you might ask? Well, like so many things that were true of 2020, we “called a cab” […] READ MORE Bells Up Among “Great Willamette Valley Wineries To Visit This Fall,” Says Select RegistryThe Select Registry network of distinguished inns of North America features member properties that offer outstanding accommodations and one-of-a-kind experiences. That includes offering travelers sample itineraries and travel guides that highlight different destinations — including those in the Willamette Valley. We were surprised to discover that we were included in a recent feature on the site, “Great Willamette Valley Wineries […] READ MORE Wine Writer L.M. Archer Recaps Bells Up’s Progress in Moving Instagram PostSeveral years ago we first invited acclaimed wine writer L.M. Archer to sample our wines in person, which she did i 2017. Since then we’ve also sent her bottles for consideration as well. Our favorite review of all time, ever, was her comment about 2017 Villanelle Tonnelier Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir: “Mama like. A lot.” Archer is an award-winning writer, […] READ MORE Bells Up’s Seyval Blanc Part Of “The Future Of Winemaking”Although we might have been called “crazy” by the (very old) guard of the Willamette Valley for planting a whopping half-acre of Seyval Blanc in our estate vineyard, it turns out we weren’t as heretical as they thought we were. At least not according to an article authored by Kathleen Willcox for Wine Industry Network Advisor, “The Future of Winemaking […] READ MORE Four Bells Up Pinot Noirs Reviewed by Wine Writer Jeff Kralik Score 93-96It was a true highlight of our summer to be visited by wine writer and reviewer Jeff Kralik, aka “The Drunken Cyclist,” during his visit to the Willamette Valley in July. Jeff previously sampled our 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, which we submitted earlier in the year for consideration in his comprehensive, annual blind tasting of “True Rosés” […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Praises “Complex and Captivating” 2019 Jupiter Estate Pinot NoirPerhaps of all the wine samples we sent to Nathan and Courtney Marton of Winery Reflections, 2019 Jupiter, our debut estate Pinot Noir, was the one we were most nervous to share with them. (Admittedly, it was the wine we were equal parts excited and terrified about uncorking for anyone, as it was the first full Pinot ever produced entirely […] READ MORE Wine Reviewer The Drunken Cyclist Calls Bells Up’s Wines “Some of the Best in the Willamette Valley”Earlier this year we shared a bottle of our 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir with prolific wine writer and reviewer Jeff Kralik, who blogs as “The Drunken Cyclist.” Annually, Jeff conducts what he believes to be the largest blind tasting of “True Rosés” in the U.S., so we submitted our “Brosé” for consideration as part of that undertaking […] READ MORE New Sips N Tips Recipe Pairs 2018 Titan With BACON Potato SaladIt’s been well established that we’re BIG FANS of BACON around here. Sara threw Dave a surprise BACON Dinner Birthday a few years ago, and we’ve also hosted a multi-course BACON winemaker dinner here at the winery, as well as been featured at a similar event at The University Club. So when one of our favorite wine and travel writers, […] READ MORE The Daily Drip Lauds Bells Up As “The Perfect Introduction To Willamette Valley”Unbeknownst to us, we recently hosted wine and travel writer Maria Ignacia Morel of The Daily Drip on her inaugural visit to the Willamette Valley. She posted an overview of her trip, “8 Reasons to Visit Oregon Wine Country,” and listed us FIRST among the six wineries she visited—all significantly larger and more well known than us. It was both […] READ MORE 2020 Prelude Estate Is A “Gorgeously Rosy Rosé,” Says Great Northwest WineGreat Northwest Wine’s Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue recently shared their review of our 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir. They’ve previously reviewed several of our wines over the years, most recently the 2019 Firebird Summit View Vineyard Syrah and the 2018 Villanelle Tonnelier Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir. The duo have been writing about Pacific Northwest wines—including Oregon, Washington, […] READ MORE 90 Points from Wine Enthusiast for 2018 Candide Nemarniki Vineyard Reserve Pinot NoirThe 2018 vintage of our leanest, spiciest Pinot Noir — Candide Nemarniki Vineyard Reserve — just received a 90-point score from Paul Gregutt, Contributing Editor at Wine Enthusiast (wines receiving scores from 90-93 are considered “Excellent” and “Highly Recommended”). It’s a hat trick of sorts, as both 2018 Titan and 2018 Villanelle were likewise awarded 90 points from Gregutt, who focuses […] READ MORE “Romantic, Beautiful, Memorable, Captivating,” 2018 Villanelle Gets 94 Points from James the Wine GuyJames Melendez of James The Wine Guy, a prolific wine reviewer, writer and videographer, has produced thousands of thoughtful, meticulously-researched reviews of wines in video format since November 2006. Passionate about wine and business, Melendez, a former national wine marketing manager for a large, off-premise food and wine retailer, spends roughly 5 minutes introducing the producer and sharing his thoughts […] READ MORE 2018 Villanelle Tonnelier Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir Awarded 90 Points from Wine EnthusiastMore praise for the next-to-last vintage of Villanelle. The 2018 bottling of Winemaker Dave’s “little black dress” pinot noir has been awarded a 90-point score from Paul Gregutt, Contributing Editor at Wine Enthusiast (wines receiving scores from 90-93 are considered “Excellent” and “Highly Recommended”). Gregutt focuses solely on reviewing the wines of Oregon and Canada for the magazine. He writes: All free-run […] READ MORE Nittany Epicurean Highlights 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé’s “Great Acidity and Balance”Wine reviewer Michael Chelus, who publishes the Nittany Epicurean blog, has been tasting wine and documenting his thoughts prolifically since establishing his website in 2013. An attorney based in New York, Chelus features a different wine daily with the exception of Sundays, when he instead shares a recap of his week and occasionally highlights from the worlds of food, wine, beer, […] READ MORE Wine Enthusiast Awards Bells Up’s 2018 Titan Pinot Noir a 90-Point RatingWOO HOO! It’s a 90-point score for our 2018 Titan Pinot Noir from none other than Paul Gregutt, Contributing Editor specializing in the wines of Oregon and Canada for Wine Enthusiast magazine (wines receiving scores from 90-93 are considered “Excellent” and “Highly Recommended”). He writes: This multiclonal blend was aged in one-third new French oak. It’s a mix of herb […] READ MORE The Drunken Cyclist’s 2021 Rosé Review Panel Awards Bells Up Prelude 92 PointsFor the first time ever we sent off a bottle of our “Brosé” (2020 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir) to Houston-based wine writer and reviewer Jeff Kralik, who blogs under the moniker “The Drunken Cyclist.” Annually since 2017, Kralik has conducted what he believes to be the largest blind tasting of American “True Rosés.” This year’s tasting saw 68 […] READ MORE Pair 2018 Titan with BBQ Like Crushed Grape ChroniclesWe didn’t think it could get any better than the pairings that wine writers, reviewers and media producers Robin and Michael Renken of Crushed Grape Chronicles came up with for our 2020 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc and 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir. But they’ve topped it with an inspired pairing: our flagship 2018 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir with barbecue! […] READ MORE Great Northwest Wine Hails 2019 Firebird Syrah’s “Juicy and a Bit Hedonistic” CharacterIconic regional wine reviewers Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue of Great Northwest Wine have posted their review of our 2019 Firebird Summit View Vineyard Syrah. The pair, who recently dubbed us “The Unofficial Chehalem Mountains Winery of The Tony Kornheiser Show,” have been writing about Pacific Northwest wines (including Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Idaho) for more than 35 years. […] READ MORE Pair Prelude Rosé with Grilled Ahi Nicoise Salad Recipe from Sips N TipsOne of our favorite wine writers, Caitlin Hodges, who authors and curates the Sips N Tips website has done it again: she’s come up with another tasty recipe created specifically to pair with a Bells Up wine. This time, she’s created a Grilled Ahi Tuna Nicoise Salad to complement the 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir. (This isn’t her first […] READ MORE 2020 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc has “Excellent Depth of Flavor Alongside Intense Energy,” says Winery ReflectionsPhew. Once again, we managed to please the highly discriminating palates and olfactory nerves of Southern Cali’s premier husband-and-wife wine reviewing duo: Nathan and Courtney Marton of Winery Reflections. The pair, who visited us back in 2019, are wine writers, reviewers, spouses and oeno-academics. They recently posted their review of our 2020 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc. Here’s what they had to […] READ MORE Sample Two Bells Up Wines at Magic in the Mountains – July 31, 2021We are excited to be one of the featured wineries at the Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers Association’s (CMWA) second installment of Magic in the Mountains. The event will again be hosted in the ballroom and terraces at the Allison Inn and Spa, just a stone’s throw away from our place. Magic in the Mountains will be held on Saturday, July 31, […] READ MORE Celebrate Summer, Crushed Grape Chronicles’ Style, With Bells Up’s Rhapsody Pinot Blanc and Prelude RoséWine writers, reviewers and media producers Robin and Michael Renken of Crushed Grape Chronicles BLEW. OUR. MINDS. by featuring our 2020 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc and 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir as their choice to celebrate Memorial Day 2021. The pair specialize in telling wine stories of the regions, the wineries, the people and the wines. But they don’t […] READ MORE Cupcake Isn’t The Only One Barking For Our Brosé: Owen Bargreen Includes 2020 Prelude In Top PNW Rosés ReportDr. Owen Bargreen — prolific wine reviewer and Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers — has again included our Estate “Brosé” on his annual, 2021 Pacific Northwest Rosé Report, recently posted on his eponymous website. And that’s something we can “Roar for Rosé” about with the resident winery Diva Dog, Cupcake. Bargreen writes: “2020 was a more […] READ MORE 2018 Tonnelier Vineyard Reserve Is “Perhaps [Our] Most Impressive Pinot Noir,” Says Great Northwest WineEric Degerman and Andy Perdue of Great Northwest Wine recently published their review of our 2018 Villanelle Tonnelier Reserve Pinot Noir. The pair, who have been writing about Pacific Northwest wines (including Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Idaho) for more than 35 years, have previously reviewed several of our wines over the years. (They also recently declared us “The Unofficial […] READ MORE James the Wine Guy Hails 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé As “Fantastically Beautiful”James Melendez of James The Wine Guy reviews wines on his YouTube channel, awarding scores based on a 100-point scale. Thoughtful and meticulously-researched, Melendez’s wine reviews have been online since November 2006. These clips, which typically run less than 5 minutes long, provide a small introduction to the producer, as well as his thoughts on the wine’s color, nose, and […] READ MORE Weinnotes Features Bells Up’s Wines, StoryEarlier this spring we were fortunate to have been paid a three-hour visit by local wine writer and developer of the Winederful iPhone app, A.J. Weinzettel. A prolific writer, A.J. publishes his weekly Oregon Vino Country newsletter on Saturday mornings to an impressive and enthusiastic subscriber base. Each week, he describes his experiences and impressions of one Oregon winery he’s […] READ MORE James the Wine Guy Awards 2018 Titan Pinot Noir a 94-Point Score, Calls It a “Beautiful, Splendid Wine”Prolific wine reviewer, writer and videographer James Melendez of James The Wine Guy, has been producing thoughtful, meticulously-researched reviews of wines since November 2006. Passionate about wine and business, Melendez — a former national wine marketing manager for a large, off-premise food and wine retailer — has produced thousands upon thousands of brief video reviews. These clips, which typically run […] READ MORE 2020 Estate Prelude Rosé and 2019 Firebird Syrah Rated “Excellent” by Reviewer Frederic KoeppelMemphis, Tennessee-based wine writer and reviewer Frederic Koeppel, who curates the Bigger Than Your Head website (“Eating & Drinking: The Good, The Bad, and The Rest of It”), has been writing about wine both in print media and online for more than 35 years. He recently reviewed wines submitted by Oregon wineries that he says are “new to me,” including […] READ MORE Bells Up Named Among “23 Best Things To Do In Newberg, Oregon”When we first visited Newberg back in 2008, our primary goal was to taste some world-class Pinot Noir. What we didn’t expect to discover, however, was how much we loved the town. Many of the features that drew us to Newberg were recently highlighted in Vacation Idea: Dream Vacation Magazine, which noted: “To begin with, you will find yourself surrounded […] READ MORE Winemaker Dave Specter Featured in “Honey How Was Your Day?” PodcastLast summer Dave hosted Honi Olmedo and Kat Chen (pictured at right) and their guests separately on two different occasions for wine tastings. So, when the pair came up with the concept of launching their “Honey, How Was Your Day?” podcast, they remembered Dave and our story, and invited him to be featured in one of the episodes. The pair […] READ MORE 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé is “Just as Complex as it is Refreshing,” says Winery ReflectionsIt’s always an absolute delight to hear what Nathan and Courtney Marton of Winery Reflections have to say about our wines. The pair, who visited us back in 2019, are wine writers, reviewers, spouses and oeno-academics. They recently shared their review of our 2020 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir. Here’s what they had to say: Plump red cherry, rose hips, tart […] READ MORE Taste Newberg Features Bells Up Wine Tasting Experience in New VideoTaste Newberg — the official online travel resource and Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Newberg, Oregon — recently featured us in a video posted to Facebook. The clip, shared below (courtesy of Taste Newberg), captures sweeping views from overhead of the vineyard and tasting room, as well as a great photo of Winemaker Dave and of the wines. The organization […] READ MORE Ellen Landis Calls Latest Releases of Prelude, Titan and Firebird “Shimmering Gems”Ellen Landis — certified sommelier, wine writer, and international wine judge — recently reviewed three of our newest releases on her website, “Ellen on Wine.” Landis has graciously reviewed several of our past vintages as well as written a feature about us for Great Northwest Wine. So we were eager to see what she thought of the 2020 Prelude Estate […] READ MORE A Fond Farewell to Mike and Julie Slater and Tonnelier VineyardEverything is transient and fleeting in the wine world. Vines unfurl their leaves, bloom, produce grapes, then sleep for the winter until a new season begins. New vintages are released, and then sell out. And the sun sets on beautiful, long-standing, and mutually collaborative vineyard partnerships… It is with a heavy heart that we are finally, officially sharing the news […] READ MORE Owen Bargreen Praises 2020 Prelude Rosé, 2020 Rhapsody Pinot BlancDr. Owen Bargreen — Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers — has graciously reviewed our wines for many years, and this year is no exception. He recently filed his thoughts on the 2020 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir and the 2020 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc on his eponymous website. Here’s what he says: 2020 Bells Up ‘Prelude’ Estate […] READ MORE 2018 Bells Up Pinots Praised for “Elegance and Soft Texture” by Reviewer Owen BargreenOur three 2018 Pinot Noirs — Titan, Candide, and Villanelle — have been reviewed by Dr. Owen Bargreen, wine writer and Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers (pictured at right with Winemaker Dave). Here’s what he says: 2018 Bells Up ‘Titan’ Pinot Noir – The 2018 ‘Titan’ Pinot Noir shows nice Bing cherry and peat moss tones alongside […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Calls 2018 Candide “Spellbinding and Impressively Authentic”Wine writers, reviewers, spouses and oeno-academics Nathan and Courtney Marton of Winery Reflections (who visited us back in 2019) recently shared a review of our 2018 Candide Nemarniki Vineyard Reserve Pinot noir. Here’s what they had to say: Tart Bing cherry, pine needle, rhubarb purée. Barely-ripe black raspberry, ground coriander, fresh cranberry. Exceptionally energetic and expressive wafts of wild strawberry, […] READ MORE Pair Rhapsody Pinot Blanc with Greek-Inspired Lamb Recipe from Sips N TipsWe are excited to share the 2020 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc with you, and even more excited to share this recipe from wine writer Caitlin Hodges, who authors and curates the Sips N Tips website. When Hodges reviewed our 2019 Rhapsody she paired it with this Greek-Inspired Lamb dish. Admittedly, we were a little surprised: White wine with red meat? Turns out […] READ MORE Introducing Jupiter: Our Most Personal Wine Release To DateWe are super excited to FINALLY share our very first pinot noir made entirely of estate fruit! Meet Jupiter, our newest wine release and a Fanfare Club exclusive wine for 2021. This debut vintage of Jupiter is made of equal parts heritage clone Pommard and Dijon clone 667 — the first vines we planted — and includes fruit from our tribute rows that bear […] READ MORE Sips-N-Tips Recommends Bells Up’s Rhapsody, Helios and Prelude as “3 Unique Oregon Wines You Must Try”Wine and travel writer Caitlin Hodges, who authors and curates the Sips N Tips website, reviewed our 2019 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc, 2019 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc and 2019 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, calling them “3 Unique Oregon Wines You Must Try.” Hodges, who visited us a couple of years ago on a tour of the Willamette Valley with […] READ MORE Bells Up Winemaker (and Loyal Little) Dave Specter Featured On The Loyal Littles PodcastAs an offshoot of the attention we’ve been blessed to receive from Tony Kornheiser (pictured below), sportswriter for The Washington Post, ESPN personality (PTI | Pardon the Interruption), and Podcaster (The Tony Kornheiser Show), Dave was invited to be a guest on The Loyal Littles Podcast. Produced and hosted by Littles Chuck and Roxy, each episode features an in-depth interview with […] READ MORE Bells Up’s 2017 Pinot Noirs Reviewed by Fine Wine Writer L.M. Archer: “Mama like. A lot.”Honestly, this might be the BEST compliment we’ve ever had on one of our wines: “Mama like. A lot.” – International fine wine writer, critic, judge and curator L.M. Archer about the 2017 Villanelle Tonnelier Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir Archer included that note along with her review of Bells Up’s other two 2017 Pinot noir releases, Titan and Candide, in […] READ MORE Wine Reviewer L.M. Archer Features Bells Up’s Helios, Rhapsody, PreludeInternational fine wine writer, critic, judge and curator L.M. Archer has published her notes on three of Bells Up’s releases from earlier this year: 2019 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc and 2019 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc (pictured above; photo courtesy of L.M. Archer), as well as the 2019 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir Although all three of these wines are now […] READ MORE Willamette Valley’s HosBrutality Podcast Talks Wine with Bells Up’s Dave SpecterIt’s safe to say that if you’re looking to submerge yourself in testosterone, you won’t want to miss this episode of the HosBrutality Podcast, recorded at the end of August 2020 and first released in early September. Bells Up winemaker Dave Specter sits down for a very manly conversation about sports, libations, grub, wine, and driving records with the jovial […] READ MORE Wine Soundtrack’s Allison Levine Interviews Bells Up Winemaker Dave SpecterIt was a blast to sit down with Allison Levine earlier in this crazy pandemic year — back in January 2019 to be precise — to talk all things wine. Levine, is owner of Please the Palate, a boutique marketing and events agency for the wine and spirits industry, as well as the host of the Wine Soundtrack USA Podcast, […] READ MORE Bells Up Wines Featured In Urban Bliss Life’s 2020 Holiday Gift GuideWOW! We were absolutely tickled to discover that the lovely Marlynn Schotland — travel, food, and wine blogger — of UrbanBlissLife.com included us on her 2020 Holiday Wine & Spirits Gift Guide. Annually, Schotland creates the list to help those shopping for the wine lovers and cocktail enthusiasts on their holiday gift lists. If her name sounds familiar, she’s generously […] READ MORE Men Who Blog and Pub Club Feature Bells Up Winemaker Dave in Virtual Happy HourA few weeks ago, Winemaker Dave was the featured guest on the Men Who Blog and Pub Club Virtual Happy Hour livestream show. Co-hosted by James Hills of Men Who Blog (a network of male lifestyle bloggers and influencers) and Man Tripping (a travel and lifestyle blog targeted to men) and Kevin Wilkerson of Pub Club (a tourist guide for […] READ MORE 2019 Rhapsody Reviewed by Winery Reflections: “Bright, Racy and Refreshing”Winery Reflections’ Nathan and Courtney Marton (who visited us last year), have posted a review of the 2019 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc, sourced from Plum Hill Vineyards in Gaston. The husband-and-wife team, a pair of prolific wine writers and oeno-academics based in Southern California, had some nice things to say about this bottling (with Courtney noting “I was a huge fan […] READ MORE The Wine Siren Kelly Mitchell Praises 2017 Candide as a “Distinctly Beautiful Pinot Noir”Napa-resident, wine connoisseur, travel writer and tastemaker Kelly Mitchell—a.k.a. The Wine Siren and wine, food and lifestyle writer for The Huffington Post—recently featured us and our 2017 Candide Nemarniki Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir. Mitchell, who visited us spontaneously a few years ago, has been so kind to (and supportive of) us since that chance meeting that we occasionally send her samples when we […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Calls 2019 Prelude “An Exceptionally Bright, Energetic and Electrifying Rosé”Nathan and Courtney Marton, the husband-and-wife duo of super tasters who review wines as Winery Reflections, recently posted their thoughts on the 2019 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir. The pair, who visited us last year, wrote the following review: Juicy red cherry, morning fog, white peach. Squeezed lime, mint leaf, raspberry shave ice. A fresh yet plump-fruited explosion of […] READ MORE Forbes Rates 2017 Candide Among “Best Pinot Noirs Willamette Valley Has To Offer”We got props in FORBES! Squeeee! Dave and I are super excited to share that wine writer and reviewer Michelle Williams (also of Rockin Red Blog: A Song In Every Glass), included our 2017 Candide Nemarniki Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir in her latest Forbes article, “36 Of The Best Pinot Noirs Willamette Valley Has To Offer.” Named for Leonard Bernstein’s […] READ MORE Bells Up Featured As One of “10 Boutique Oregon Wineries That Need Exploring”What originally drew us to Oregon in general — and Oregon’s Willamette Valley in particular — back in 2008 was the “off the beaten path” opportunities to enjoy personal experiences with winery owners and winemakers. Four years later, when we moved here in 2012, more labels were slowly backing away from hosting such personal tastings. Now, eight years after that, […] READ MORE Washington Wine Blog Reviews 2019 Helios, 2019 RhapsodyDr. Owen Bargreen, wine reviewer and Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers (seen above with Winemaker Dave when he dropped in for a quick visit last summer), recently reviewed our two 2019 white wines — Helios Seyval Blanc and Rhapsody Pinot Blanc — on Washington Wine Blog. He particularly enjoyed the Helios, writing: Dave makes the only […] READ MORE 2017 Bells Up Pinots Have “Excellent Finesse and Elegance,” Says Washington Wine BlogCurrently featured in the tasting room, our three 2017 Pinot Noirs — Titan, Candide, and Villanelle — were recently reviewed by Dr. Owen Bargreen, wine writer and Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers (seen at right with Winemaker Dave when he dropped in for a quick visit last summer) on Washington Wine Blog. In particular, the Villanelle […] READ MORE Bells Up Winemaker Dave Specter Featured In Wine Searcher ArticleWine Searcher recently published an article by wine writer Kathleen Willcox, exploring the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on wineries and their logistics efforts nationwide. Entitled “Covid Infects Logistics, Especially Independent Wineries,” the article includes interviews with small producers about the challenges they’ve experienced during the many shut downs and stay-at-home orders. Bells Up winemaker Dave was included in […] READ MORE Washington Wine Blog Names 2019 Prelude A Top Oregon Wine in 2020 Rosé ReportWashington Wine Blog’s Dr. Owen Bargreen — Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers — recently posted his comprehensive 2020 Pacific Northwest Rosé Report. We were delighted to discover that not only did he write a lovely review of the 2019 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, he included it among his picks for Top Oregon Rosés. Here’s […] READ MORE Thank God for Tony Kornheiser and the Loyal LittlesWe can’t even begin to wrap our heads around this. Since May 11, the words “Bells Up Winery” and “Dave Specter” have been uttered by THE Mr. Tony Kornheiser on no fewer than FIVE episodes of his eponymous podcast, “The Tony Kornheiser Show.” Really. After the second time, we really thought that would be the end of it. But then […] READ MORE 2019 Helios is “Fabulously Characterful and Bursting with Intense Youthful Energy,” says Winery ReflectionsWhen Winery Reflections’ Nathan and Courtney Marton visited us last year, they were particularly eager to try our estate Seyval Blanc, having not had that varietal before. The duo, a pair of prolific wine writers and oeno-academics based in Southern California, were intrigued and specifically requested the 2019 Helios Seyval Blanc in their spring shipment for review. Here’s what they […] READ MORE Napa Valley Register Highlights Bells Up’ Helios Seyval Blanc as a “Weird Wine”Wine writer Allison Levine of Please the Palate and the Napa Valley Register recently published the article, “The Wonderful World of Weird Wines.” In it, Levine describes a recent virtual tasting happy hour event she hosted, featuring several other wine writers, bloggers and reviewers from around the country. The theme? “Weird” wines, as in unusual varietals or bottles. Writes Levine: […] READ MORE Oregon Wine Month / Memorial Day 3-Pack Special OfferMay is officially Oregon Wine Month, and Memorial Day Weekend is unofficially the start of summer. To celebrate both, we’ve put together a 3-Pack Special featuring three new releases: 2019 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc, 2019 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, and 2017 Titan Pinot Noir. Buy one bottle of each in the 3-Pack format for the special price of $80 […] READ MORE Great Northwest Wines Names Bells Up “Unofficial Chehalem Mountains Winery of The Tony Kornheiser Show”Well, apparently it’s been a slow week for wine news, because it turns out that Eric Degerman, president and CEO of Great Northwest Wine (for which he also writes extensively), is also an avid fan of The Tony Kornheiser Show podcast. Eric published “Oregon wineries woo sports broadcaster” earlier this week, recounting the backstory behind Dave’s original email to Tony […] READ MORE “La Cheeserie!” Part Deux: Mr. Tony Hails Bells Up Winery for Second TimeIt happened again! As we posted earlier this week, sportswriter for The Washington Post, ESPN personality (PTI | Pardon the Interruption), and Podcaster (The Tony Kornheiser Show), Tony Kornheiser read a second email from Winemaker Dave on the Wednesday, May 13, 2020 show. Needless to say, we’re doubly surprised and immeasurably honored to have been name checked twice. Obviously, our […] READ MORE Pair Bells Up Wines with “La Cheeserie!” THE Tony Kornheiser Gives Us a Shout-OutSportswriter for The Washington Post, ESPN personality (PTI | Pardon the Interruption), and Podcaster (The Tony Kornheiser Show), Tony Kornheiser has been a part of our life for a long time. A LOOOOOOONG time. Dave has listened to/watched him for as long as we’ve been together; I honestly cannot recall NOT hearing Tony’s voice in my house over the last […] READ MORE Winecountry.com Recommends Bells Up as a Can’t Miss in the Willamette ValleyTo our tremendous surprise, we were included in a recent Winecountry.com article by travel and wine writer Penny Sadler, “10 Willamette Valley Wineries for Newcomers to Oregon Wines.” Sadler, who also blogs under Adventures of a Carry-on, is on a quest to document the world’s wine regions and explore beauty along the way. In the feature, Sadler highlights the opportunity to […] READ MORE Join Us on Saturdays for “Wine Down with Bells Up: Virtual Tasting + Community Conversation”Join Winemaker Dave and Money Honey Sara as we chat with some of our favorite wine people, near and far with the launch of our new Facebook Live series, “Wine Down with Bells Up: Virtual Tasting + Community Conversation.” More than just a virtual tasting where you sit and watch other people drink wine (boring), we’re taking the opportunity to […] READ MORE Winerabble Interviews Winemaker Dave to Find Out “Why Wine?”Industry veterans and Northwest wine reviewers Michele Francisco and Matt Talbot produce Winerabble, an online resource covering all things wine with an unpretentious and educational approach. Both have backgrounds in wine buying, marketing, tasting, reviewing and judging — and are endlessly curious about regional wines and the people who produce them. Hence, their “Why Wine?” series, profiling winemakers to find […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Feature Calls Bells Up “A Small but Formidable Producer”Late last summer we were delighted to finally meet the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind Winery Reflections, Nathan and Courtney Marton (pictured above, in our vineyard) when we hosted them for a private tasting during their road trip through Oregon. Southern California-based oeno-academics and wine writers, the pair are prolific reviewers, having logged hundreds of thoughtful and comprehensive wine write-ups on […] READ MORE Bells Up Featured by Great Northwest WineWe were gratified to finally meet the incomparable Ellen Landis — certified sommelier, wine writer, and international wine judge — and her husband Ken (pictured with Dave, below) a couple of weeks ago when they came to visit our tasting room and sample both current wines and preview four new spring releases. Ellen previously reviewed three of our wines last […] READ MORE Cupcake, the Non-Winery Dog, Goes Viral and Gets Her Own Instagram AccountLife works in mysterious ways. And, given our backstory, who are we to judge which way the wind blows? When our favorite UPS (“Unlimited Puppy Snacks”) driver, Scott Hodges, took a photo of our 6-pound Pomeranian—Cupcake, the Non-Winery Dog (pictured above, attempting to drive the winery forklift)—competing with our neighbor’s ginormous golden Labrador retriever Sadie for a biscuit at the […] READ MORE Written Palette Includes Bells Up’s 2017 Firebird Syrah in Best Wines of 2019 ListThanks go to Cori Solomon of The Written Palette for including our 2017 Firebird Summit View Vineyard Syrah from the Walla Walla Valley AVA on her list of Best Wines of 2019, in the Rhone Varietals and Blends section. Here’s what she had to say: Bells Up 2017 Firebird Summit View Vineyard Walla Walla Valley Syrah: Named after Igor Stravinsky’s […] READ MORE Vino-Sphere Names Bells Up’s 2018 Helios Seyval Blanc A Top Wine of 2019It was a delight to host Dave Nershi, publisher, writer and reviewer of Vino-Sphere, here last spring. He enjoyed our Helios Estate Seyval Blanc so much that he wrote about it twice (here and here). Then, he put it on his list of Top Wines for 2019! Nershi wrote: “Bells Up has received notoriety for its recent release of its […] READ MORE SoCal Restaurant Show Features Bells Up Winemaker Dave SpecterWe had the opportunity to share our wines and tasting experience with Andy Harris (pictured above with Winemaker Dave), executive producer of The SoCal Restaurant Show last fall. So it was a real thrill when he invited Dave to talk about Bells Up during two separate segments (Part 1 and Part 2) of the show’s December 28, 2019 broadcast. As […] READ MORE Praise for Bells Up’s Wines, Tasting Experience from Wine Writer Cori SolomonWine writer and blogger Cori Solomon of The Written Palette (pictured above with Winemaker Dave in our Seyval Blanc block of the estate vineyard) recently visited our vineyard and winery to sample the latest wines. Solomon, who is based in the Los Angeles area, spent time with us in September and published her review of the wines and experience in […] READ MORE Travel and Wine Writer Marcy Gordon Describes Bells Up’s “Small Lots Made With Heart”We were extremely fortunate to host a small group of highly regarded wine and travel writers here last August, including Marcy Gordon who authors the award-winning Come for the Wine blog. Gordon recently recapped her visit, pairing it with a lament that she herself always harbored a secret desire to play a certain brass instrument! She writes, “years later, wine […] READ MORE Bells Up’s Dave Specter Featured In Four-Part Financial Health Series by Capital PressKristine Thomas, contributor to the Capital Press — a weekly newspaper covers farming, ranching and agriculture industries in the Pacific Northwest — recently interviewed Winemaker Dave for insights into how agricultural businesses should secure financial advisors and partners. Dave was included in a four-part series: Four Steps to Financial Health. In the third part, “Pick The Right Accountant,” Thomas asked […] READ MORE Capital Press Interviews Bells Up’s Dave Specter About How To Choose A Banking PartnerWinemaker Dave was recently interviewed by Kristine Thomas for the Capital Press, a weekly newspaper covers farming, ranching and agriculture industries in the Pacific Northwest. He was included in a four-part series: Four Steps to Financial Health. Thomas spoke with Dave about how to choose a banker in the second part of the series. Here’s what Dave had to say: […] READ MORE 2018 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir Featured by Weekday Wine ClubWe were thrilled to be invited by our friends Hannah, Brian and Ryan at Weekday Wine Club to include our 2018 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir in their 25th allocation shipment of wines for November 2019. Based in the Portland metro area, Weekday Wine Club’s mission is to elevate their members’ love and education of wine. In addition to […] READ MORE Dallas Wine Chick Shares Bells Up StoryWine writer Melanie Ofenloch, who files blog posts under her Dallas Wine Chick Blog, recently visited us along with three other wine writers (Mary Cressler, Ember and Vine; Amy Corron Power, Another Wine Blog; and Marcy Gordon, Come for the Wine Podcast) during a whirlwind tour of the Willamette Valley. Post visit, she featured Bells Up — and a few […] READ MORE The Manual’s Sam Slaughter Highlights Bells Up for Willamette Valley White WinesSam Slaughter (pictured above with winemaker Dave), food and drink editor for The Manual — an e-magazine targeted to men — visited us in the spring to taste through our current wine line-up. Slaughter, who is based in the South and has written for more than 40 publications, was touring the Willamette Valley specifically on the hunt for wines other […] READ MORE Dave and Sara Specter Interviewed for Oregon Wine History ArchiveWe were recently reminded that we participated in an interview for the Oregon Wine History Archive, conducted by Stephanie Hofmann (who has since become a dear friend) a couple of years ago (oops!). In it, we talked about Dave’s career change, as well as about our first five years in Oregon—as this was recorded back in 2017. We also chatted […] READ MORE What’s “Batonnage?” Life Between The Vines Asks Dave Specter to Define this “Vino Lingo”Ray Fister, creator and producer of Life Between The Vines — a podcast and video series designed to educate and entertain folks interested in wine at all levels (newbie to connoisseur) — asks each of his winemaker interviewees to define a wine term in a short segment he calls “Vino Lingo.” When Ray visited us in April to record a […] READ MORE 2018 Helios “A Glass of Sunshine,” says Drink In NaturePhotographer and wine writer Elaine Luxton, who authors the Drink In Life blog and publishes her photography under her Instagram account, Drink In Nature Photography, visited us earlier this year and snagged a few bottles to take back to her “studio”: the great outdoors of Washington state (she’s posted a feature about her experience as well as included us in “A […] READ MORE Wine Reviewer Ellen Landis Says Bells Up’s Wines Are “Striking and Dramatic”Three of our wines were recently reviewed by wine writer and reviewer Ellen Landis, a Certified Sommelier, wine writer, wine educator, wine event moderator and frequent judge at prominent regional, national and international wine competitions. Landis, who regularly posts wine reviews on “Ellen On Wine,” wrote about Bells Up in an article entitled, “New Discoveries in the Willamette Valley.” In […] READ MORE Helios Seyval Blanc Featured by Understanding Wine With Austin Beeman in New VideoAustin Beeman, wine writer, podcaster, videographer and VP of Marketing for Cutting Edge Selections — the Cincinnati area’s premier distributor of Oregon wines — paid us a visit this past spring. He was particularly intrigued by the 2018 Helios Seyval Blanc, and wound up filming a segment with Dave in the vineyard to talk about it, writing, “Seyval Blanc is […] READ MORE Bells Up Tasting Experience, Wines Reviewed by Sips N TipsCaitlin Hodges, the wine writer who pens the Sips N Tips blog, visited us in May as part of her tour of the Willamette Valley with her husband, Tucker. She’s since posted a full article—”Bells Up Micro-Boutique Winery in Willamette Valley, Oregon“—about her tasting experience here, as well as reviews of several of our current wines. Here’s a couple of […] READ MORE See How Dave Puts Together Each Wine: Blending Panel Video Feature by Urban Bliss LifeIt’s August, and that means it’s about time for Winemaker Dave and Consulting Winemaker Erica to work on putting together the wines in the barrels into finished blends for wine in the bottle. Last August, one of our favorite local bloggers — Marlynn Schotland of Urban Bliss Life — hung out with them while they used every glass in the […] READ MORE Confetti Travel Cafe Features Bells Up Winery in 2019 Drink Pink Festival CoverageAll credit to Nancy Zaffaro, a Portland-based travel, food, beverage, arts and lifestyle writer for taking the only photo of Sara at the 2019 Drink Pink Festival (photo by Zaffaro, featured above), hosted for the 8th year in a row by Patton Valley Vineyards. Not only did Zaffaro grab a great photo of the hardest working #moneyhoney in the business, […] READ MORE 2018 Prelude Estate Rosé Called “Complex, Vibrant and Electrifying” by Winery ReflectionsSouthern California-based husband and wife oeno-academics and wine writers Nathan and Courtney Marton, who review wines under the Winery Reflections banner, have posted a review of Bells Up’s 2018 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir (along with the photo featured above). Here’s what they had to say: Fresh raspberry, wild poppies, bright red cherry. Juicy cranberry, pine needle, candied granny […] READ MORE Nittany Epicurean Says 2016 Titan “Teeming With Bright Red Berries”As the author of the Nittany Epicurean blog, wine reviewer and New York-based Michael Chelus, is a prolific sampler of wines and has been since establishing his website in 2013. Chelus features a different wine daily with the exception of Sundays, when he instead shares some of his favorite stories from the worlds of food, wine, beer, cocktails and spirits. […] READ MORE Life Between The Vines Podcast Features Bells UpBack at the beginning of April, Ray Fister — creator and producer of the Life Between The Vines podcast and video series — dropped in to interview Winemaker Dave. Podcast #330 was recently posted, with Fister writing: Wine and music make a perfect pairing. Nothing new there. But how often do you get to meet a wine loving French horn […] READ MORE SIP Northwest Publishes “Bells Up Winery: Willamette Valley’s Un-Domaine”SIP Northwest — a regional magazine showcases wines, beers, spirits and ciders from the Pacific Northwest — writer Tamara Belgard featured us in a recent article, “Bells Up Winery: Willamette Valley’s Un-Domaine.” (Photo by Elaine Luxton, Drink in Nature Photography) The feature, which includes an overview of our story and of our spring release of 2018 Helios Seyval Blanc (the […] READ MORE Bells Up’s Dave Specter Featured in Life Between the Vines Video InterviewLife Between The Vines, a podcast and video series created by Ray Fister, seeks to both entertain and educate wine drinkers — from connoisseur to novice — by interviewing winemakers around the world and sharing their stories. Fister stopped by in April to hang out with Bells Up winemaker Dave, and recorded this 7-minute Vino Video. In it, Dave shares […] READ MORE Drink In Life Showcases 2018 Prelude Rosé in “A Summer Fling” Rosé FeatureEarlier this year we were thrilled to host photographer and wine writer Elaine Luxton for a private tasting experience. Luxton, who blogs under Drink In Life and publishes her photography under her Instagram account, Drink In Nature Photography, took a short trip to visit the Willamette Valley and subsequently posted a lovely feature about her experience. To celebrate the arrival of summer, […] READ MORE 2018 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir Included in Washington Wine Blog’s 2019 PacNW Rosé ReportWashington Wine Blog’s Dr. Owen Bargreen—Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers—recently posted his comprehensive 2019 Pacific Northwest Rosé Report, which included his review of our 2018 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir. Here’s what Owen had to say: 2018 Bells Up ‘Prelude’ Rose – The 2018 ‘Prelude’ Rose shows off a deep hue, unveiling bright red cherry, […] READ MORE Paste Magazine Declares 2018 Prelude Estate Rosé “Full-Bodied and Somewhat Rich, But Also Bright”Paste Magazine’s Amy Glynn, a San Francisco-based writer and wine reviewer, recently posted a lengthy round-up of 19 different Rosés in her article, “Rosé All Day, All Summer?” Although her article was posted in time for National Rosé Day (there’s a Hallmark Holiday for everything, isn’t there?)—officially the second Saturday in June—Glynn is a proponent of Rosé any summer day, […] READ MORE Talk-A-Vino Interviews Bells Up’s Dave Specter in Feature StoryAnatoli Levine, a wine writer and reviewer who also produces the Talk-A-Vino blog, has been producing the “Stories of Passion and Pinot” series about Oregon winemakers since 2016. His original inspiration, he wrote back then, was as follows… I don’t know what makes winemakers so passionate about Pinot Noir. For one, it might be grape’s affinity to terroir. Soil almost […] READ MORE Nittany Epicurean Calls 2018 Prelude Rosé “An Ideal Aperitif”Wine reviewer Michael Chelus, who writes the Nittany Epicurean blog, is a prolific reviewer of wines and has been since establishing his website in 2013. An attorney based in New York, Chelus features a different wine daily with the exception of Sundays, when he instead shares some of his favorite stories from the worlds of food, wine, beer, cocktails and […] READ MORE Drink In Life Reviews Bells Up Tasting Experience, WinesIt was a delight to host Elaine Luxton, photographer and wine writer to our tasting room at the end of April. Luxton, who blogs under Drink In Life and publishes her photography under her Instagram account, Drink In Nature Photography, took a short trip to visit the Willamette Valley and we were thrilled to be included. As she was tasting […] READ MORE Sips N Tips Calls 2018 Prelude Estate Rosé “Perfectly Balanced for Meal Pairings”Wine writer Caitlin Hodges, who writes the Sips N Tips blog, is passionate about travel, cooking and fine wine. She included a tasting stop at Bells Up during her last trip to the Willamette Valley, and posted a subsequent round-up of that visit on her site: “Willamette Valley Cool Climate Pinot Noir.” In that article, she noted that our 2016 […] READ MORE 2016 Titan is “Juicy, Energetic and Exceptionally Balanced,” says Winery ReflectionsWinery Reflections’ Nathan and Courtney Marton, a pair of prolific wine writers and oeno-academics based in Southern California, have posted a review of Bells Up’s 2016 Titan Pinot Noir (along with the photo featured above). Here’s what they had to say: Fragrant bing cherry, pine needle, cranberry cocktail. Diced strawberry, fresh rosemary, pomegranate seeds. Young violet and spring lavender, dry […] READ MORE Vino-Sphere’s Feature Story Calls Bells Up “A Micro-Boutique Winner”Dave Nershi, publisher, writer and reviewer of Vino-Sphere, added a follow-on feature to his first piece overviewing the many stops he made during his early spring tour of the Willamette Valley. He previously published an article about how the Valley offers more varietals than just Pinot Noir, including our Helios Estate Seyval Blanc. His second piece takes a closer look […] READ MORE 2018 Rhapsody “Reminiscent of Gooseberry and Lime Zest,” Says Great Northwest WineThe esteemed tasters at Great Northwest Wine, Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue, have shared their thoughts about 2018 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc in a recent post among their wine news coverage, features, industry insights and tasting notes. The pair have been writing about the wines of the Pacific Northwest—including Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Idaho—for more than 35 years. Indeed, they’ve […] READ MORE Prince of Pinot Reviews 2016 Titan Pinot NoirRusty Gaffney M.D., also known as The Prince of Pinot and author of the PinotFile newsletter, has been reviewing Pinot noir since his 2001 retirement from ophthalmology. He’s reviewed several of our wines previously, including our 2013, 2014 and 2015 Titan. So we sent him the 2016 Titan for his feedback this spring. Here’s what he had to say: “Moderately […] READ MORE 2018 Prelude Recommended by Wino On A Budget for Beach TimeWine reviewer and blogger Chelsey Nelson, also known as “Wino On A Budget,” recently enjoyed our 2018 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir on a beach day—albeit a 55-degrees-in-Seattle beach day. We were tickled to discover that she featured a review and the photo above on her Instagram feed (followed by more than 13,000 Instagrammers). Chelsey, a 20-something Seattle-based wine lover who describes […] READ MORE 1 Wine Dude Reviews 2018 Helios Estate Seyval BlancJoe Roberts, also known as 1 Wine Dude, created his eponymous blog back in 2007 to proffer wine reviews to intermediate level wine lovers—the regular folks who aren’t newbies, but aren’t sommeliers either. Joe writes both full-blown and mini wine reviews because, well, he samples a lot of wine. In fact, he prefers to say he tastes “a bunch-o-wine (technical […] READ MORE Bells Up Featured by Lake Oswego Review for Oregon Wine MonthIt’s May in Oregon—which means it’s Oregon Wine Month! We were delighted to welcome Lake Oswego Review writer and local author Barb Randall back to the winery late last month to tour the new production building and sample the latest wine releases (and to take the photo of Dave, above). We were also surprised to be the only winery she […] READ MORE Vino-Sphere Includes Bells Up in Willamette Valley TourVino-Sphere publisher and wine reviewer (and former Ohioan!) Dave Nershi paid us a visit among many other stops on his tour of the Willamette Valley. He just published an article about how the Valley offers more than just Pinot Noir (gasp!). In “Oregon’s Willamette Valley Encompasses Diverse Beverage Scene,” Nershi writes, “We understand if you think Willamette Valley is Pinot […] READ MORE 2018 Rhapsody is “Spirited, Sprightly and Serious,” says Winery Reflections’ reviewOur favorite wine drinking/reviewing couple—Nathan and Courtney Marton—are back with a new review of Bells Up’s 2018 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc. The Southern Californian oeno-academics and prolific wine writers review a vast array of vintages and varietals under their Instagram Winery Reflections. They can also be found on their Winery Reflections website. Here’s what they had to say about our newest […] READ MORE Bells Up’s “Hidden Gem” Charm Explored by Canadian Wine Writer Rebecca Meïr-LiebmanWe were recently visited by Canadian wine writer Rebecca Meïr-Liebman, who both reviews wines and produces articles for Natalie MacLean, the editor of Canada’s largest wine review web site. Meïr-Liebman also blogs under her own SommSelects site. In a post entitled, “Willamette Valley, Oregon – Your Next Wine Destination. Five hidden-gem boutique wineries to visit in the Willamette Valley,” Meïr-Liebman […] READ MORE Washington Wine Blog Calls 2018 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc an “Awesome Release”Reviewer for both Washington Wine Blog and International Wine Report, Dr. Owen Bargreen—Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers—has sampled 2018 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc and pronounced it an “awesome release by the talented Dave Specter.” Bargreen, who assigned a 90-point score to the wine, had this to say: 2018 Bells Up ‘Rhapsody’ Pinot Blanc –The ‘Rhapsody’ Pinot Blanc […] READ MORE 2018 Helios Seyval Blanc Reviewed by Washington Wine BlogThe Willamette Valley’s first-ever Seyval Blanc, 2018 Helios Estate (grown from the first-ever planting in the Willamette Valley—in our Chehalem Mountains AVA vineyard), has been scored a 90 by Dr. Owen Bargreen. Bargreen, a Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers who writes for both Washington Wine Blog and International Wine Report, had this to say: 2018 Bells […] READ MORE “Lip Smacking” 2018 Prelude Rosé Reviewed by Washington Wine BlogDr. Owen Bargreen of Washington Wine Blog and International Wine Report was among the first to receive a sample bottle of our 2018 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, and we’re pretty sure he liked it. Not only did he score it a 90, he tweeted out the photo above, entitled “Rooftop Goals.” Here’s what he had to say: 2018 […] READ MORE Wine4Food Names Bells Up as Having One of “The Best Views in Oregon Wine Country”We’re pretty proud of our magnificent view from the winery—heck, it’s WAY better than the view from our house on the same property. So we just nodded our heads in agreement when Tamara Belgard included us in her round-up of “The Best Views in Oregon Wine Country” article for Wine4Food. The article appeared a few days ago and included our […] READ MORE Wine & Lifestyle Blogger Hayley’s Cellar Reviews Bells Up Wines, Tasting ExperienceLast fall we were honored to have the dynamic duo of Hayley’s Cellar and Wino Kristin—a pair of Los Angeles-based wine, travel and lifestyle bloggers—visit us for a tasting experience. Kristin posted some sweet kudos on Instagram, as did Hayley, who also featured us in a full-length blog post review. In addition to taking the fantastic photos featured above and […] READ MORE Introducing Helios: Bells Up’s Historic, First-Ever Willamette Valley Seyval BlancWhen we moved to Newberg from Cincinnati, Ohio, and began sketching out our vineyard block planting plans, we knew we’d be dedicating a portion to Seyval Blanc. The grape, a hybrid, has characteristics similar to Sauvignon Blanc, yet does well in cool climates—like the East Coast, Finger Lakes, England, and… we figured here as well. Besides, Seyval Blanc was one […] READ MORE Bells Up Winery Profiled by Washington Wine BlogDr. Owen Bargreen, founder and editor of Washington Wine Blog and a certified Level 2 Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers, recently featured a profile of Bells Up and our most recent wine releases. The winemaking style is intriguing and is not meant for those who prefer bolder Oregon Pinot Noirs. There is a move towards elegance and delicate […] READ MORE Bells Up Featured On Wine Crush PodcastIn December, winemaker Dave was featured in the Wine Crush: Stories Uncorked, Season 2, Episode 2 podcast hosted by Heidi Moore. In describing the episode, Dave’s segment is noted for “its roots in something all of us here at PRP love: Music.” During the 15-minute interview, Dave shares the Bells Up backstory, explains the meaning behind the winery name and […] READ MORE Day of Dave: Part 2 — Bacon, Flames and SabersAs explained in the previous post, Sara plotted and schemed with an enormous cast of characters to plan a series of over-the-top birthday surprises for Dave’s Milestone Birthday on September 27, 2018. After a very busy morning of breakfast, a helicopter tour of downtown Portland, and picking up a pair of houseguests for the weekend, we all returned home for […] READ MORE Day of Dave: Part 1 — Three Surprises Before NoonWinemaker Dave had a milestone birthday back on September 27, 2018. So Sara put together a crazy day of fun surprises for him with the help of a LOT of our dear friends here in Oregon—and a couple from Cincinnati too. (And yes, it’s taken a while for this to get posted!) First, starting back on January 27, 2018, Sara […] READ MORE Meemaw Eats Revisits Bells UpIt’s Thanksgiving Week. Which makes it doubly appropriate that we have again been featured by food, family and fun blogger Meemaw Eats (aka Patty Mishler). She honored us with a repeat visit back in August this year, having originally dropped in two years before. It was such a delight to see her and Peepaw (aka Fred) again, and we were […] READ MORE Urban Bliss Life Uses Bells Up Titan 2015 Pinot Noir in Decadent Brownie RecipeWe love our chocolate over here at Bells Up. Both Dave and Sara are card-carrying chocoholics (please, no 12-steps for this addiction). So, when we were sharing our highly reviewed 2015 Titan Pinot Noir with Urban Bliss Life blogger-photographer-social media influencer extraordinare Marlynn Jayme Schotland and she announced, “This wine is fantastic on its own, with BBQ, and I’d totally take this […] READ MORE Willamette Valley Wineries Association Features Bells Up Winemaker Dave SpecterIn their coverage of the local 2018 harvest, the Willamette Valley Wineries Association has featured Dave in a “Winemaker Q&A” interview, posted on their website. In it, our very own intrepid Oompa Loompa impersonator (see image above) tackles the big questions, including: What is your harvest attire of choice? (Hint: It’s Sara’s favorite outfit to tease him about.) What is […] READ MORE Feast Your Eyes on This Recap of Bells Up’s First Winemaker Dinner at AgrivinoOn Friday, September 14, Bells Up was the featured winery at a sumptuous, five-course traditional Italian Winemaker’s Dinner prepared by Chef Dario Pisoni at Agrivino in Carlton and attended by 46 guests—a sell out. The amazing meal featured wine pairings from us with original creations by Chef Dario. Both Chef Dario and Winemaker Dave presented each course with an explanation […] READ MORE Wine Press Northwest Features Our Vineyard and InspirationWe were incredibly touched to read the feature story by Viki Eierdam about our winery and vineyard in the Fall 2018 issue of Wine Press Northwest. In “Willamette Valley winemakers pay tribute to their inspiration: Loss of mentor launches Bells Up Winery,” she focused on our 14 tribute rows that honor the memory of loved ones who have passed away […] READ MORE Wino On A Budget Loves Bells Up’s 2017 Prelude Estate RoséAlthough it’s long since sold out, we were thrilled that wine reviewer and blogger Chelsey Nelson, also known as “Wino On A Budget,” enjoyed our 2017 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir so much that she featured a review on her Instagram feed (followed by nearly 11,000 Instagrammers). Chelsey, a 20-something Seattle-based wine lover who describes herself as having “champagne taste […] READ MORE Winery Reflections Reviews 2015 Titan Pinot NoirThe dynamic duo of Nathan and Courtney Marton, Southern Californian oeno-academics and prolific wine reviewers under their Instagram Winery Reflections posts, recently posted this amazing praise for Bells Up’s 2015 Titan Pinot Noir: “Bright strawberry, dry leaves, pomegranate seeds. Fresh cranberry, red poppies, tangerine. Portobello mushroom and sous bois, ground clove and baking spice. Tense and tightly wound with soft […] READ MORE Soon-to-be-Released 2016 Titan Pinot Noir “Speaks Softly, But Carries a Powerful Reverb,” says Reviewer L.M. ArcherSoon-to-be-released 2016 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has again been highly reviewed, this time by international fine wine writer, critic, judge and curator L.M. Archer. In her July 30, 2018 Hedonistic Taster column, she reviews several Willamette Valley submissions, including Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Rosé. Here’s her insights into the 2016 Titan… Robe: Semi-transparent raspberry hue. Nose: Rustic, red fruit and black […] READ MORE Nearly Sold-Out 2017 Prelude Rosé Favorably Reviewed by L.M. ArcherInternational fine wine writer, critic, judge and curator L.M. Archer has reviewed our first-ever estate wine, the 2017 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir! In her July 30, 2018 Hedonistic Taster column, Archer reviews several Willamette Valley submissions. Here’s what she has to say about the 2017 Prelude… Robe: Translucent, raspberry hue. Nose: Savory, white pepper and red fruit aromas. Bouche: Bright red fruits: […] READ MORE Santa Monica Observer Features Bells Up in Edible Skinny’s “Girls Getaway Trip to the Willamette Valley”We were delighted to host the dynamic duo of sisters Kat and Kelly Thomas back in the spring as they took a “Girls Getaway Trip to the Willamette Valley.” Kat, journalist and blogger who also publishes under the website Edible Skinny, filed the story “Pretentiousness is Out the Door in Willamette Valley, but Pinot Noir is Superb in Chehalem” with […] READ MORE Try Ember & Vine’s Grilled Beet Salad, Made with 2017 Prelude Estate RoséIt’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the wine and wood-fired power duo of Mary Cressler and Sean Martin. Together, the two form Ember and Vine, and Mary also posts drool-worthy recipes (and some hard-core food porn videos) on her Vindulge site. They cooked for our first anniversary Memorial Day Open House, we’ve showcased their recipe for Pinot Noir […] READ MORE Tasting Pour Declares 2017 Prelude Estate Rosé Like A Fresh-Picked CherryIf you like cherries, have we got a Rosé for you: 2017 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir. Wine writer Jade Helm, who contributes to several publications and also her own site—Tasting Pour—recently sampled and reviewed our first-ever estate release wine for her 2018 Oregon Rosé Round Up, and had this to say: “From beginning to end this rose screams […] READ MORE Bells Up’s Seyval Blanc Planting Featured in June 2018 Issue of Oregon Wine PressAlthough it’s not ready for commercial sale, we were delighted that wine writer Tamara Belgard featured our planting of Seyval Blanc in the June 2018 issue of the Oregon Wine Press. In the feature, Belgard covers both our vines (the first planting of Seyval Blanc in the Willamette Valley, as far as we have been able to determine, and the […] READ MORE Washington Wine Blog Gives Two New Bells Up Releases High MarksOur 91-point streak continues! Dr. Owen Bargreen, Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and executive editor of Washington Wine Blog and International Wine Report awarded our as yet unreleased 2016 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir a 91-point score. This is the fourth Titan he has reviewed and the fourth 91-point score he has awarded. We’re thrilled that, despite the significant […] READ MORE Revisit Dave’s Visit with Wine Julia from AprilOne of our favorite wine connoisseurs, Wine Julia, invited winemaker Dave down to Eugene to pour wines in her new venue (Capitello Wines) back on April 18. The two had a great time, as you can see from the Facebook video below. During their spirited conversation, the pair chatted about Julia’s fear of bugs, our new 2017 Prelude Estate Rosé […] READ MORE Bento for Business features Bells Up and the Willamette Valley as an Unconventional May Getaway DestinationWe never know who’s going to recommend or feature us in various media outlets, so we were delighted to have just discovered that Bento for Business, a provider of pre-paid expense cards and a desktop/mobile tracking platform for employees of small and mid-sized businesses, did just that. In their recent blog targeting the accounting industry (in which winemaker Dave—a former […] READ MORE See What You Missed at Bells Up’s First Winemaker Dinner with Ember and VineWe started talking about doing a winemaker dinner with pairings from wood-fired food masters Ember and Vine (also known as Sean Martin and Mary Cressler) a couple of years ago, not long after they created a special pairing at our first anniversary Memorial Day open house. Last August, we all agreed the time had come to get a date on […] READ MORE 2017 Prelude Estate Rosé Release Featured by Willamette Valley Wineries AssociationThe Willamette Valley Wineries Association featured our 2017 Prelude Estate Rosé in their Spring Stories coverage last week. The wine will be featured at our upcoming Pre-Memorial Day Weekend and Memorial Day Weekend Open Houses. CMO and money honey Sara was interviewed in the article, “The Season of New Arrivals in the Willamette Valley,” about the wine and how intensely […] READ MORE At long last, our first Estate Wine—2017 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir—is in the bottle!To say we’re excited would be the understatement of the year. After five long years—first clearing the property in 2013, then selecting and planting our first two vineyard blocks of Pinot Noir Pommard and Dijon Clone 667, then adding posts and wires, then waiting for the vines to get established—we finally had our very first estate harvest in September 2017. […] READ MORE Our Pinot Blanc is back! 2017 Rhapsody is now available.We are delighted to have Pinot Blanc back in our wine line-up with the 2017 Rhapsody. Sourced from Bieze Vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, this is the furthest south we’ve ever traveled for grapes and we are thrilled to have them. Bottled on March 15, 2018, just 54 cases are available at $28 a bottle. Our reviewers detected stone […] READ MORE Introducing 2016 Candide Nemarniki Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir, Our New Fanfare Club Exclusive ReleaseAs mentioned before, we started sourcing Pommard and Wadenswil heritage clones of Pinot Noir from Diane Nemarnik of Nemarniki Vineyard—who also makes wines under the same label—back in 2016. Like us, Diane’s vineyard is located in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, about four miles away from our estate vineyard. Diane’s acreage sits on Laurelwood soil which is brown loess, a windblown, silty loam that is extremely […] READ MORE Bells Up Featured in Nick Hoogendam’s Pacific Northwest Experience VideoDave had a great time hanging out with Nick Hoogendam, a Newberg native who has recently launched Nick Hoogendamn’s Pacific Northwest Experience. Nick takes viewers along for the ride as he’s documenting his exploration of the Pacific Northwest. Currently, he’s focused on Willamette Valley Wineries, like us. We were thrilled to be one of his first features. Here’s what Nick had […] READ MORE Tri-City Herald’s Northwest Wine Highlights Oregon Pinot Noir, Including Bells Up’s 2015 Titan— Wow — What an incredible moment to discover that Bells Up was mentioned among this crop of premier producers of Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley in the article, “Northwest Wine: Oregon retains focus on Pinot Noir.” In the Tri-City Herald’s February 20, 2018 edition, Northwest Wine writers Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman showcased a selection of seven different […] READ MORE Lake Oswego Review’s Barb Randall Praises Bells Up’s New ReleasesWe’ve been so fortunate to have become excellent friends with Barb Randall, author of “Willamette Valley Wineries,” and a reporter specializing in food and lifestyle topics for the Lake Oswego Review. Barb is an authority on all things edible and quaffable in Oregon—the Willamette Valley in particular—so she was one of the first people we reached out to for a preview […] READ MORE MSN Showcases Willamette Valley, Bells Up as a Crowd-Free Spring Break DestinationLooking for an alternative to the beach vacation this spring break? Terry Ward of MSN.com Lifestyle recommends 20 different non-traditional spots in her article, “Spring break destinations to escape the crowd.” Destination #4? A “sophisticated stay in Oregon’s Willamette Valley,” which offers “a spring break centered more on fine wine that cheap beer,” writes Ward. And guess which winery is […] READ MORE Oregon Wine Press Picks Bells Up as One of the “Best Places to Kiss in Wine Country”Thanks to the lovely and delightful Jade Helm of Tasting Pour and writer for the Oregon Wine Press for including us in her list of “Best Places to Kiss in Wine Country” in the magazine’s February issue. We do have a pretty spectacular and romantic view, and—with the new-ish wine porch and private tastings approach we take here—we think it’s […] READ MORE Bells Up Winemaker Dave Specter Featured In #WVCellarSeason Q&AThe Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA), one of many sources for wine and winery information in the region, featured several local winemakers during their WV Cellar Season (#wvcellarseason) promotion. Winemaker Dave was included as well, weighing in on topics such as his preferred beverage during the winter months and the best reasons to go wine tasting during the off-season. Here’s […] READ MORE Wine Enthusiast Awards Bells Up’s 2015 Titan Pinot Noir a 90-Point RatingTotally perfect for Groundhog Day: Yet another accolade for 2015 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has popped up! This is a repeating pattern we’d only be happier about if Bill Murray himself dropped in for a tasting (c’mon, someone in our network MUST know Bill!). Anyway, we digress… Yesterday, we were yet again honored to discover another accolade: Paul Gregutt, Contributing […] READ MORE Great Northwest Wine Rates 2015 Titan Pinot Noir “Excellent”The discriminating palates at Great Northwest Wine have sampled the 2015 Titan Pinot Noir and deemed it “Excellent.” We, of course, are thrilled. And, unlike their recently reviewed 2015 Firebird Syrah, we actually still have this wine in stock and available for purchase, as it was released late last summer. Here’s what they said: The late Leonard Bernstein is credited […] READ MORE 2015 Firebird Syrah Rated “Outstanding!” by Great Northwest Wine ReviewersWe were astonished and delighted to discover that the 2015 Firebird Summit View Vineyard Syrah from the Milton-Freewater, Oregon, side of the Walla Walla Valley AVA has been rated “Outstanding!” by the distinguished palates of the reviewers at Great Northwest Wine. Here’s what they said: French horn musician Dave Specter has focused his young Willamette Valley boutique winery on Pinot […] READ MORE Wishing You An Uplifting 2018.May you find balance in the New Year (us too!) Holiday greetings after a 2017 of ups and downs… so the family portrait is totally appropriate (if not OSHA-compliant), right? We are blessed to report that our micro-boutique, un-domaine winery exceeded all of our expectations this past year, with a new porch addition, fresh coat of paint, the stocking of […] READ MORE Ever Wonder What the Music Behind Bells Up’s Wine Names Sounds Like?Wonder no more! We’ve finally created a Spotify Playlist that features the pieces of music behind our wines’ names Rhapsody, Helios, Prelude, Titan, Candide, Villanelle and Firebird. You don’t have to have the Spotify app to listen; you can just click the link below to access the playlist and hear the music via your Internet browser. READ MORE Missy Maki of The Simple Kitchen Shares an In-Studio #bellsupmoment with Winemaker Dave SpecterThis past Sunday, November 12, Dave was invited into The Simple Kitchen radio studio to talk wine and share a #bellsupmoment with host Missy Maki, a self-described 90s “Wild Child” who’s now a working corporate twin-mom and doting wife, who shares her passion about food and wine and life at Maki Family Values. Missy, who created the show on KPAM 860AM radio […] READ MORE High Praise for Bells Up Wines from BinNotesWe were honored when international wine writer LM Archer of binNotes: Affordable Burgundy + beyond arranged to drop in for a private tasting appointment during her late July visit to the Willamette Valley. Archer regularly contributes to Wines and Vines magazine, South Bay Accent magazine, the Oregon Wine Press and basil + salt magazine, as well as writes for France […] READ MORE Author Barbara Doyle Returns to Bells Up Twice During Thanksgiving Open House Hours to Sign Copies of “Springbrook Oregon”On two separate days during Bells Up Winery’s Herald the Holidays Thanksgiving Open House Events, local author Barbara Doyle will sell and sign copies of her new book, “Springbook Oregon: Local, National, International.” Saturday, November 18 from 1 – 3:30 p.m. during Bells Up’s Pre-Thanksgiving Open House Friday, November 24 from 1 – 3:30 p.m. during Bells Up’s Post-Thanksgiving Open House […] READ MORE Remembering Those We’ve Lost, Part 2.At this point, most people know we’ve tagged Block 1, Row 1 of the Bells Up Estate Vineyard with a plaque honoring the memory of Sara’s mentor, Kelly Palmer, whose diagnosis with—and subsequent death from pancreatic cancer—at age 40 was one of the inspirations for us chucking our Midwestern suburban existence to establish this winery and vineyard. We’ve since continued […] READ MORE Our First Estate Pinot Noir Harvest – Sunday, September 24, 2017Sunrise over the Bells Up Estate vineyard (pictured above) on Sunday, September 24, 2017 marked the first-ever harvest of our Pommard and Dijon Clone 667 Pinot Noir vines, four years after they were planted and one week after our Estate Seyval Blanc harvest. It was an emotional morning, as we picked Kelly’s row, and all the other rows of people we’ve […] READ MORE Our First Seyval Blanc Harvest – Sunday, September 19, 2017There wasn’t a lot of fruit, but three years after planting, we felt we had enough of the Willamette Valley’s first Seyval Blanc planting to pull off the fruit and give it a go with a couple of experimental batches. So, on Sunday, September 19, 2017 we headed out with the clippers and the buckets and brought in our first […] READ MORE Bells Up Wines Featured at The Portland Wine BarTwo of Bells Up’s wines—2014 Titan Pinot Noir and 2015 Firebird Summit View Vineyard Walla Walla Valley AVA Syrah—are currently being featured at The Portland Wine Bar in downtown Portland for a limited time. Personally selected by Joe Knox, General Manager, we’re thrilled to hear that the wines have been popular with guests. In fact, we’ll be running down another […] READ MORE International Wine Report, Washington Wine Blog Award High Scores to Bells Up’s 2015sWe were delighted to discover last week that the 2015 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and the 2015 Firebird Summit View Vineyard Walla Walla Valley AVA Syrah were reviewed by Dr. Owen Bargreen, Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and executive editor of Washington Wine Blog and International Wine Report (2015 Titan here and 2015 Firebird here). Here’s […] READ MORE Herald the Holidays: Post-Thanksgiving Open House Weekend at Bells UpJoin Dave, Sara and Katie to once again Herald the Holiday season with a Wine Country Thanksgiving open house event the weekend after Thanksgiving—no appointment necessary! The winery’s estate tasting room will be open from noon to 4:00 p.m. on (Black) Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 24, 25 and 26, 2017. Can’t make it after Thanksgiving? Don’t worry. We’ll also […] READ MORE Herald the Holidays: Pre-Thanksgiving Open House Weekend at Bells UpJoin Dave, Sara and Katie to once again Herald the Holiday season with a Wine Country Thanksgiving open house event the weekend before Thanksgiving—no appointment necessary! The winery’s estate tasting room will be open from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 18 and 19, 2017. Can’t make it before Thanksgiving? Don’t worry. We’ll also be open immediately […] READ MORE Subterra Restaurant Selects Bells Up As October 2017 Featured WineryNewberg’s Bells Up Winery will be the featured winery of the month for October 2017 at Subterra – A Wine Cellar Restaurant. Three of Bells Up’s wines will be showcased in the restaurant and available by the glass or the bottle for enjoyment with a meal, or by the bottle to take home. The wine selections include: 2016 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir 2015 […] READ MORE Bells Up Estate Vineyard Report 2017As it stands, we’re looking at harvesting fruit from the Bells Up Estate Vineyard’s 4-year-old Pinot Noir grapevines within the next few weeks for the first time ever to make the 2017 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir. So before things get really crazy, we wanted to do a quick photo recap of how things progressed in 2017. Initially it […] READ MORE Prince of Pinot Awards Bells Up’s 2015 Titan & 2015 Villanelle Big ScoresRusty Gaffney, the Prince of Pinot (who visited us last year) popped in for a surprise taste-through of our new and future releases back at the end of July. It’s always a blast to hang out with Rusty, who definitely knows his Pinot Noir. We were equal parts honored and gobsmacked this week to discover this week that he posted […] READ MORE Bells Up Wines Now Available In Two Oregon Wine ShopsAlthough the majority of our wines are sold direct to customers through our estate winery and tasting room, we have been persuaded to stock a few bottles in two separate, independent wine shops in Oregon. Therefore, you can now pick up bottles of select vintages of Bells Up wines in Eugene and McMinnville at these two fine establishments: 16 Tons […] READ MORE Northwest Fresh Seafood Featuring Bells Up on Thursday, August 31Join Bells Up Winery’s winemaker Dave Specter at Northwest Fresh Seafood‘s Newberg market on Thursday, August 31 from 3 – 6 p.m. for a complimentary wine tasting. Northwest Fresh is located at 611 N Main Street in Newberg. Dave will be pouring three of Bells Up’s wines: 2016 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir 2014 Titan Pinot Noir 2015 Firebird Summit View Vineyard […] READ MORE Meet Dave’s Newest Winemaking “Toy”After writing about forklifts and other material handling and supply chain equipment for more than 20 years in her professional career, it’s safe to say that #moneyhoney and #gogocmo Sara was the one who made all the decisions about the newest tool in Dave’s winemaking arsenal. Meet our “new-to-us” Hyster electric forklift. No, it’s not a lease. Why do you […] READ MORE Urban Bliss Life Names Bells Up’s 2015 Firebird Syrah One of “Top 10 Wines To Serve At Your Next BBQ”Urban Bliss Life blogger-photographer-social media influencer extraordinare Marlynn Jayme Schotland knows wine and food (which is one of the many reasons we adore her so much). So when she included our 2015 Firebird Summit View Vineyard Walla Walla Valley AVA Syrah on her list of “Wine Bliss: Top 10 Wines To Serve At Your Next BBQ” we were beyond delighted. […] READ MORE Barb Randall, Author of “Willamette Valley Wineries,” to Sign New Book at Bells Up on Saturday, Sept. 2From 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 […] READ MORE Bells Up Winery Labor Day Weekend Open HouseSaturday-Sunday, September 2-3, 2017 | Noon – 4:00 p.m. Visit Bells Up Winery without an appointment during Labor Day weekend. The winery’s estate tasting room will be open from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3, 2017. Tastings are $15 per person, deducted from a $75 purchase. Members of Bells Up’s Fanfare Club enjoy complimentary tastings throughout the event. […] READ MORE Barley & Vine Tavern Featuring Bells Up Winery Throughout AugustNewberg’s newest gathering spot, Barley & Vine Tavern at 408 East First Street, is showcasing Bells Up as its featured winery for August 2017. Owned by Emily Weichold, previously the hospitality manager at The Four Graces Winery in Dundee, Barley & Vine opened on June 2, 2017 and has quickly become a favorite destination for both locals and tourists alike. […] READ MORE Yellow Alert! 2013 Titan Pinot Noir Approaching Sold Out StatusWe don’t normally dedicate a blog post to a wine that’s approaching Sold Out status. But the 2013 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is not just any wine. It was our very first professional vintage, and of the 163 cases we released on May 23, 2015, just 20 cases remain in inventory (what we call “Yellow Alert” status). It was, […] READ MORE “They Did Build That” Book on Entrepreneurs Features Bells Up Winery Owners Dave & Sara SpecterThey threw the book at us. Well, at least Atlanta-based author Kevin J. Fay did. When Kevin visited us last summer for a wine tasting, we shared our back-story (as we usually do). Evidently we made quite an impression because a couple of weeks later, he emailed to ask if we’d be willing to let him feature us in the […] READ MORE Winerabble reviews Bells Up’s 2014 Titan Pinot noirWinerabble dropped an amazing review of Bells Up’s 2014 Titan Pinot Noir on their site last week, praising both our wines and our views from the new wine porch. Here’s their thoughtful insights on the wine: “…this Pinot noir was filled with just about every berry flavor imaginable—raspberries, marionberries, blackberries and tart blueberries along with some black and sour cherries. Earthy notes of […] READ MORE Video: Wine Julia Interviews Dave Specter of Bells Up WineryBells Up winemaker Dave traveled to Eugene on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 to pour wine at 16 Tons Taphouse & Bottleshop. The shop’s wine collection curator is none other than The Real Wine Julia, wine writer, reviewer and blogger. She sat Dave down for a live Facebook interview before the tasting began. In roughly 30 minutes, the two discussed the […] READ MORE Savor, Sip and Sojourn Recommends Stop at Bells Up During Memorial Day Weekend Open HousesWine writer and reviewer Viki Eierdam—who blogs on Savor, Sip and Sojourn—recently paid us a visit and tasted through our current wine lineup during whirlwind tour through the Willamette Valley. We were delighted to discover this write-up posted last week, “Willamette Valley Taster: A Day of Wine and an Overnight in Style,” and that we were included. She writes: A […] READ MORE Bells Up’s new Rosé, Memorial Day Weekend Open Houses featured by Lake Oswego Review.Journalist Barb Randall of Pamplin Media Group’s Lake Oswego Review made a return trip to visit us in April during our exclusive media event. She recently published a review of our new #wineporch addition and newly released 2016 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir, saying, “It is wonderful, and it will be perfect for sipping all spring and summer.” The article, “May […] READ MORE Bells Up included in Chehalem Ridge Bed & Breakfast’s “Premium Experience Package”It’s no secret that Dave and Sara have enjoyed a long-standing friendship with Kristin and Curt Fintel, owners of Chehalem Ridge Bed & Breakfast. In fact, when we first visited the Willamette Valley in August 2008, we stayed at their B&B and fell in love with their view (as well as their hospitality and the Newberg area in general). So when they […] READ MORE Recap of Fanfare Club 2017 Spring Release PartyWe hosted our second annual Fanfare Club Spring Release party on Sunday, April 23, 2017 to a huge turnout of more than 85 members and guests. It was a fun opportunity to release the 2016 Prelude Rosé of Pinot noir (a look back here at how it was made), and unveil our brand new winery porch. Unfortunately the weather didn’t […] READ MORE Meet Bells Up: See our very first featurette.It certainly pays to have dear friends in high places. Thanks to George Fox University marketing students Grace, Gaby and Austin, Bells Up winemaker Dave got to star in his very first video featurette about the winery. We think it’s an Oscar-worthy introduction to a #bellsupmoment wine tasting experience, and we hope you agree. READ MORE For Earth Day Bells Up Winery, Tonnelier Vineyard featured in Corporate Sustainability BlogWe were tickled this week to discover a lovely feature about our dear friends, Mike and Julie Slater of Tonnelier Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, on the Sustainability Trend Spotting blog. We’ve been exclusively sourcing our Pinot noir Dijon clones 115 and 777 from Mike (pictured above with Dave at their first harvest) and Julie since 2013, and they are the source […] READ MORE Bells Up winemaker Dave Specter featured in Washington Wine Blog interviewAs a follow-on to the recent awarding of 91-point scores to both 2013 and 2014 Titan Pinot noirs, Dr. Owen Bargreen, executive editor of Washington Wine Blog, recently featured Bells Up winemaker and owner Dave Specter in an in-depth interview. During their conversation, the two discussed what attracted Specter to winemaking; weather variances between the 2013, 2014 and 2015 growing seasons and their […] READ MORE Bells Up Fanfare Club: Independence Day Potluck and Fireworks in the VineyardTuesday, July 4, 2017 | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Exclusively for members of Bells Up Winery’s Fanfare Club and immediate family (a maximum of four adults age 21+ only, please), join Dave, Sara and Katie for Bells Up’s Second Annual Potluck Supper and Fireworks Viewing Party in the estate vineyard and tasting room. Club Members will enjoy complimentary Bellobang Sangria, wines for purchase by […] READ MORE Bells Up Winery Memorial Day Weekend Open House Debuts New Porch, 2016 RoséSaturday-Monday, May 27-29, 2017 | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m Visit Bells Up Winery without an appointment throughout Memorial Day weekend during three days of open house hours. The winery’s estate tasting room will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 27; Sunday, May 28; and Monday, May 29. Tastings are $15 per person, deducted from a $75 purchase. […] READ MORE Bells Up featured at 503 Uncorked on Wednesday, May 24, 2017On Wednesday, May 24, 2017—from 6:00–8:00 p.m.—Bells Up’s wines will be featured at 503 Uncorked’s “Wednesday Winery Night,” a weekly event that showcases local producers. The wine bar is located in Sherwood, Oregon’s historic Old Town district at 22578 SW Washington Street. During the event, Bells Up’s winemaker and owner Dave Specter will pour complimentary tastings of three wines: 2016 Prelude […] READ MORE “Springbrook Oregon” author Barbara Doyle to sign copies of new book at Bells Up on Saturday, May 20From noon – 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 20—during Bells Up Winery’s Pre-Memorial Day Open House (which runs from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)—local author Barbara Doyle will sell and sign copies of her new book, “Springbook Oregon: Local, National, International.” Springbrook, located slightly Northeast of Downtown Newberg, Oregon, is the rural neighborhood in which Bells Up Winery is located. The book, […] READ MORE Bells Up Winery Pre-Memorial Day Weekend Open House Debuts New Porch, 2016 RoséSaturday-Sunday, May 20-21, 2017 | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m Visit Bells Up Winery without an appointment throughout the first of two consecutive Memorial Day weekend open houses. The winery’s estate tasting room will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, 2017, and again during the same hours throughout Memorial Day weekend (Saturday-Monday, May […] READ MORE Bells Up Featured at 16 Tons in Eugene, Oregon on Wednesday, May 17, 2017Bells Up will be the featured winery at 16 Tons Taphouse & Bottleshop on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Winemaker Dave Specter will be pouring samples of Bells Up wines at the 16 Tons location at 265 East 13th Avenue (at the corner of High Street) in Eugene, Oregon—home of the University of Oregon—6:00-8:00 p.m. During the event, four Bells Up wines will be […] READ MORE Bells Up to pour wines at Pulp & Circumstance during First Friday ARTwalk: May 5, 2017Bells Up will be the featured winery at Pulp & Circumstance (117 South College Street) at Downtown Newberg’s First Friday event on May 5, 2017. Winery “Money Honey” and Chief Marketing Officer Sara Specter will pour two wines—the newly released 2016 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir and the 2013 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir—on Friday, March 5, 2017. The family-friendly evening is held on the […] READ MORE Fanfare Club: Porch Warming & Rosé Release PartySunday, April 23, 2017 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Members of Bells Up Winery’s Fanfare Club are invited to an exclusive, Club-only party. Celebrate the release of our 2016 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir and be among the first to enjoy the spectacular view from our recently completed winery porch. Bring a guest, enjoy complimentary tastings of our full wine lineup paired with small bites by Sharon […] READ MORE Industry Exclusive: Bells Up’s #Wineporch Opening & Rosé Release PartyThursday, April 27, 2017 | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Exclusively for our peers in the wine, retail and hospitality industries, Bells Up Winery invites all industry professionals to join Dave, Sara and Katie for our annual Industry Open House. Celebrate the opening of our brand-new #wineporch and the release of the 2016 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir, as well as […] READ MORE 2013 -and- 2014 Titan Pinot Noir awarded 91-point scores from International Wine Report, Washington Wine BlogShocked and humbled to learn that both 2013 and 2014 vintages of Bells Up’s Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir received 91-point scores from the reviewers at Washington Wine Blog and International Wine Report (2013 here and 2014 here)! Highlights from the reviews of the 2013 Titan: “…aromas of crushed wet rock, creosote, red currant and red cherry with Asian spices. There […] READ MORE Bells Up hosts Chehalem Valley Chamber’s “Wine on Tuesday” event, April 11, 2017On Tuesday, April 11, 2017 Bells Up Winery will host the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly “Wine on Tuesday” event. Open to both Chamber members ($5 admission) and non-members ($10 admission), the gathering runs from 5-7 p.m. and includes a glass of wine. During the event, Bells Up winemaker and owner Dave Specter will be pouring three wines: 2016 […] READ MORE High praise for Bells Up from travel, wine and lifestyle blog Everyday Runaway.“I recently visited Bells Up and was completely blown away by this boutique winery. The wine, the hospitality, the intimate tasting room and beautiful view all formed a tasting experience that I won’t soon forget… For a new, boutique winery I would argue that David’s wines are on par with any top Willamette Valley wines.” – Brianne, EverydayRunaway.com So says Brianne […] READ MORE Meemaw Eats Reviews Bells Up Winery’s Grape PieWell this was a surprise. We were tickled to discover that Patty of Meemaw Eats posted an additional blog entry about Bells Up Winery after her original piece on October 6, 2016: A review of Sara’s grape pie (it was a crisp actually, meaning no bottom crust), as well as some amazing photography to go with it—like the above photo. […] READ MORE Harvest 2016: Pressing the pinot noirs.All the ferments for the 2016 pinot noirs (777, 115, Pommard and Wadenswil) wrapped up in mid-October, so Bells Up winemaker Dave and our consulting winemaker Erica pressed everything on October 18. Here’s some photos from the day, taken by John Toso of A Frame in Time Photography, who came out with Diane Nemarnik of Nemarniki Vineyards (the grower of our […] READ MORE Kelly Mitchell of The Wine Siren and The Huffington Post features Bells UpIf holiday surprises come with a healthy dose of fun and inimitable charm, then we just got the best one ever. Quite possibly the most amazing seasonal holiday present we’ve ever received, Napa-resident, wine connoisseur, blonde bombshell and force of nature Kelly Mitchell—a.k.a. The Wine Siren and wine, food and lifestyle writer for The Huffington Post—published a feature and video interview with […] READ MORE Bells Up Featured on The Vine Less Traveled Wine BlogWine blogger Josh Peterson of The Vine Less Traveled dropped in for a visit and wine tasting a few weeks ago and surprised us with a delightful blog entry on November 24, 2016: “Chehalem Mountains…A Lesser Known Willamette with Big Surprises! Part 1—Bells Up Winery.” Josh, who describes himself as a self-taught/obsessed wine geek, keeps the focus of his blog […] READ MORE Winerabble’s Review of Bells Up 2013 Titan Pinot Noir: “Excellent”Northwest wine reviewers and industry veterans Michele Francisco and Matt Talbot are the intrepid wine drinkers and reviewers behind Winerabble, an online resource covering all things wine in an unpretentious and educational way. Both have backgrounds in wine buying, marketing, tasting, reviewing and judging. So when they sniff out a vintage they like, and call it excellent, it’s pretty exciting. And […] READ MORE Harvest 2016: September 24 Syrah and Pinot Process-fest RecapWhile Dave and Dan were off on their excellent adventure, picking up the Walla Walla Valley AVA Syrah grapes for our Firebird wine, growers Mike and Julie Slater of Tonnelier Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and Diane Nemarnik of Nemarniki Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA were busily picking our blocks of Pinot Noir. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to snag […] READ MORE Bells Up Winery and Domaine Drouhin are Chicago Chef Deb Miley’s Top Two Wine Picks for Holiday CateringWe were thrilled and delighted to be included as one of two favorite winery picks by Chicagoland boutique caterer and personal chef Deb Miley, pictured above with Bells Up winemaker Dave when she made a surprise visit to our tasting room on October 29, 2016. Deb recently published a blog recommending us and the inestimable Domaine Drouhin (!!!) as her top two […] READ MORE Winerabble Names Bells Up a Favorite Thanksgiving Open House DestinationThinking of spending a post-Thanksgiving weekend in Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine country? We are thrilled to be included on Winerabble’s list of favorite wineries today! Here’s what Winerabbler Michele has to say: Give thanks this Thanksgiving holiday weekend by visiting Oregon’s wine country! Wineries throughout the entire state throw open their doors to visitors this weekend. To help you plan your […] READ MORE Dave and Dan’s Excellent Adventure: Roadtrip to Pick Up the 2016 Syrah Harvest RecapThis year, when Bells Up winemaker Dave made the trip from Newberg to Milton-Freewater, Oregon, to pick up our 2016 harvest of Walla Walla Valley AVA Syrah on September 23, he had a co-pilot along for the ride: Fanfare Club Founding Member Dan Hardy, of HGTV’s House Hunters fame. In addition to touring Summit View Vineyard and picking up a ton […] READ MORE Bells Up Winemaker Dave Specter Featured on KGW’s Portland Today Show.Dave had a great time hanging out with KGW-TV’s Portland Today show team on Friday, November 18 in advance of our Herald the Holidays pre- and post-Thanksgiving weekend open house wine tasting event. Here, his on-air 150 seconds of fame… Usually only open by appointment, our estate tasting room will be open from noon to 4:00 p.m. the weekend before Thanksgiving, […] READ MORE Bells Up included in “Wine Lingo” feature story on WoodinvilleWineCountry.com website.We were tickled to be quoted in an article on the Woodinville Wine Country website by Brittney Perreault (pictured above; photo courtesy of WoodinvilleWineCountry.com), senior producer of Northwest Wine Night TV, entitled “Challenging Wine Lingo Standards.” With our 2013 Titan Pinot Noir and 2014 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc having been featured on the show before, we’ve enjoyed hearing the reactions of their guests as […] READ MORE Yes way 2016 rosé! A quick recap of our Prelude rosé of pinot noir harvest.The 2015 Prelude Rosé of Pinot Noir may have sold out on October 1, 2016, but fear not—the 2016 edition is well in hand. Here’s a few highlights from our harvest of Dijon clones 777 and 115 at Tonnelier Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton AVA, as well as from the production of this newest vintage. First, in the vineyard… On the sorting […] READ MORE The Fruit Grower Report interviews Bells Up winemaker about the inspiration behind our winery nameWinemaker Dave (pictured above with his Riedel Horn Decanter—which really does make noise, but not music) was interviewed by phone in mid-September by journalist Susan Allen of the Fruit Grower Report for to find out a little more about Bells Up Winery. In addition to chatting about our selection as Subterra’s Featured Winery of the Month for October, and about our […] READ MORE Bells Up’s 2014 Titan included in list showcasing “Brilliance of Oregon Pinot Noir”The accolades from Great Northwest Wine for Bells Up’s 2014 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir keep coming. In addition to an “Outstanding!” rating from their panel of expert wine reviewers, and a Silver Medal awarded at their Invitational Wine Competition, we were just included on a list of 12 wines showcasing the “Brilliance of Oregon Pinot Noir.” The featured dozen […] READ MORE Meemaw Eats’ Porcupine Balls + Bells Up 2014 Titan Pinot Noir = Perfect PairingInstagram can be a dangerous place—especially when you’re hungry. Because that’s when strangely named foods can really catch your eye. For example, behold “Porcupine Balls,” pictured above. When food blogger, traveler, proud grandmother to seven perfect grandchildren, and bon vivant Meemaw of the popular foodie blog Meemaw Eats posted a photo on her Instagram account of this delicacy, well, we didn’t know […] READ MORE Bells Up’s 2014 Titan wins Silver at Great Northwest Wine’s 2016 Invitational Wine CompetitionWe were thrilled, and surprised, to receive an “Outstanding!” review from Great Northwest Wine a few weeks ago for our 2014 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. But we were even more surprised when Eric Degerman, President and CEO of Great Northwest Wine nominated it to enter the fourth annual Great Northwest Wine Invitational Wine Competition. Ultimately, our single entry was among more […] READ MORE The secret of a happy marriage? It might be in this 15-year anniversary post.A personal post from Sara On October 6, 2001—on a Devou Park hilltop in Covington, Kentucky overlooking Cincinnati, Ohio—Dave and I got married. He wasn’t a winemaker then, but still early on in his career as an attorney. I had just launched my freelance marketing business a few months earlier (courtesy of the dot.com bust that cost me and 2/3 of my […] READ MORE Herald the Holidays at Bells Up Winery: 5-Day Open House Event Held on Weekends Immediately Before and After ThanksgivingNEWBERG, OR (October 5, 2016) — Bells Up Winery invites the public to Herald the Holiday season with a Wine Country Thanksgiving open house event. The winery’s estate tasting room will be open from noon to 4:00 p.m. the weekend before Thanksgiving, Saturday and Sunday (November 19 and 20), as well as immediately after Thanksgiving, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (November […] READ MORE Bells Up Rhapsody 2014 Pinot Blanc featured in Episode 151 of Northwest Wine Night TVWould YOU describe Bells Up’s 2014 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc as evoking “God Save the Queen” by the Sex Pistols? How about “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, “Killer Queen” by Queen, or “The Rain Song” by Led Zeppelin? When the four panelists on Northwest Wine Night TV’s Episode 151: “I Beg Your Pinot?” —featuring Rhapsody in a cork-to-cork blind tasting against Torii Mor’s 2014 Pinot Blanc—were asked […] READ MORE Bells Up Winemaker interviewed by The Fruit Grower Report about being Subterra’s October Featured WineryStarting today, Saturday, October 1, 2016, Bells Up Winery becomes the featured winery of the month at Subterra – A Wine Cellar Restaurant. Three of Bells Up’s wines will be showcased in the restaurant and available by the glass or the bottle for enjoyment with a meal, or by the bottle to take home. Winemaker Dave was interviewed by phone last week […] READ MORE Bells Up Winery’s Treble Makers stomp their hearts out at 2016 Carlton Crush Grape StompThe fearless foursome of Fanfare Club members and friends Katie, Dave, Connie and Kim—also known as the Bells Up Winery Treble Maker team—left it all in the half barrel at the Carlton Crush Harvest Festival Grape Stomp Competition on Saturday, September 10, 2016. During the intense rounds of competition, teams of four get four minutes—one minute per person—to stomp through […] READ MORE The Prince of Pinot reviews Bells Up Winery’s current wine lineup!Back at the end of July 2016, Dave and Sara were visited by Rusty Gaffney M.D., also known as The Prince of Pinot and author of the PinotFile newsletter. The Prince has been reviewing Pinot noir since retiring from his ophthalmology practice in 2001. We discovered he had written about us in late October 2015, and invited him to taste our […] READ MORE Bells Up 2014 Titan Willamette Valley Pinot Noir rated “Outstanding!” by Great Northwest WineWell color us flabbergasted. We submitted the 2013 and 2014 Titan Willamette Valley pinot noir wines to the highly discriminating palates of the Great Northwest Wine panel of reviewers, and were absolutely gob-smacked to learn that the 2014 Titan received an “OUTSTANDING!” rating, published on September 23, 2016 (the 2013 Titan’s review has not yet been posted). We currently have slightly […] READ MORE Bells Up Winery featured in interview on Northwest Wine Night RadioDave and Sara were interviewed by Brian Calvert, host of Northwest Wine Night Radio, back in March 2016. The recording was broadcast this week (September 19, 2016) in Episode 135. In it, you’ll hear all about our “meet cute,” how Dave discovered his passion for winemaking, why Sara encouraged him to leave his legal career, and what inspired the name “Bells […] READ MORE Bells Up visited by wine writer Amanda Barnes, of Around the World in 80 HarvestsEver wonder what it would be like to travel the world’s different wine regions and sample each area’s product in person? British wine writer Amanda Barnes is doing exactly that, only she’s not just interested in tasting the wines of the world—she’s dropping in during harvest season to get a better feel for what makes each area unique. And she’s […] READ MORE Subterra – A Wine Cellar Restaurant to feature Bells Up Winery wines throughout month of OctoberSubterra – A Wine Cellar Restaurant has selected Newberg’s Bells Up Winery as the establishment’s featured winery of the month for October 2016. Three of Bells Up’s wines will be showcased in the restaurant and available by the glass or the bottle for enjoyment with a meal, or by the bottle to take home. The wine selections include: 2014 Rhapsody […] READ MORE When bad things happen to good wine…However good your internal winemaking controls are, something like this is bound to happen sooner or later. Within a few months of barreling the Bells Up 2015 Titan and Villanelle pinot noirs and the Firebird syrah wines, winemaker Dave discovered the presence of film yeast on the surface of some of the barreled wines. Turns out, after asking around, we weren’t […] READ MORE Cheers to Henke Winery—one of Bells Up’s mentors—for 20 years in business.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. Joe […] READ MORE Bells Up is on the map… the official Willamette Valley Vineyard map.Although we’ve been around since 2013, we’ve finally been included in the official and newly-released Willamette Valley Vineyard map, whose updating has been a labor of love for many in the Willamette Valley Wineries Association over the past few years (especially the unbelievably patient and detail-oriented Patrick Reuter of Dominio IV). The map shows the entire Willamette Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), […] READ MORE #TBT: That one time Bells Up Winery was in a James Bond movie.**Okay, not really… But it TOTALLY felt like it when we had our first ever wine tasting tour group arrival BY HELICOPTER! A #throwbackThursday post… Bells Up is one of the select few C
