As we continue our journey through Oregon Wine Month we bring you one of the awesome boutique wineries in the state. Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Bells Up is a relatively new winery that has been making some really cool wines that fly under the radar. Located in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, Bells Up was founded by Sara and Dave Specter in 2013. Dave spent his career as a lawyer and eventually caught the wine bug after learning more about winemaking, as helped make wine at Henke Winery while they both lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dave turned this hobby into an obsession, winning two separate national amateur winemaking competitions with two different varietals. At that point they both knew they should pursue their dreams and relocate to Newberg, Oregon to start Bells Up.
These are lighter style Pinot Noirs with excellent finesse and elegance. Dave makes the only Seyval Blanc that I have seen in this region and he has crafted a gorgeous version, the 2019 Bells Up ‘Helios’ Seyval Blanc (WWB, 91) which is novel, complex and is massively somm-friendly as this would pair with a great variety of shellfish. I really enjoyed their 2017 Bells Up ‘Villanelle’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 91) which is elegant and has great acidity and range, with nice salty tones. Learn more about this great boutique winery at https://bellsupwinery.com Here are the great new wines by Bells Up.
2019 Bells Up ‘Prelude’ Rose- The ‘Prelude’ Rose was made from Pinot Noir grapes sourced from the Chehalem Mountains AVA in the Willamette Valley. Bright Bing cherry with shades of pomegranate seed and melon tones all fill the nose. The freshness and wonderful acidity of the wine really shines as delicate red fruits and citrus rind, with damp earth accents all combine marvelously on the palate. The mouthfeel and texture is really good. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2019 Bells Up ‘Helios’ Seyval Blanc- A highly obscure varietal, Bells Up owners have planted Seyval Blanc at their estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. The grassy tones on the nose make you think new world Sauvignon Blanc, as unripe pear and melon tones round out the aromatics. The palate is gratifying with its soft texture and great astringency. Layers of sour apple and unripe cantaloupe collide with minerals and wet stone on the palate. Lithe and refreshing, enjoy this excellent new wine in the short-term. Drink 2020-2025- 91
2019 Bells Up ‘Rhapsody’ Pinot Blanc- Another less typically seen varietal that made its fame in Alsace, the 2019 ‘Rhapsody’ Pinot Blanc shows lovely nutty and damp earth tones that collide with shades of kumquat and green papaya on this evocative nose. Soft and round once on the attack, the wine yields some juicy acidity that connects with a light dusting of salinity and the Gravenstein apple, kiwi and melon flavors. Enjoy this in its youth while the good freshness remains intact. Drink 2020-2024- 89
2017 Bells Up ‘Titan’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Titan’ Pinot Noir was sourced from a host of Willamette Valley vineyards. Pretty guava and candied red cherry fill the nose alongside some lighter peat moss undertones. The palate is delicate and nicely textured with layers of light red fruits with kumquat zest and rose water that connect with mineral and earthy accents. Drink 2020-2027- 90
2017 Bells Up ‘Villanelle’ Pinot Noir- The Bells Up ‘Villanelle’ is sourced from the Tonneiler Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. The nose shows good brightness with orange zest and red cherry candy that combine with shades of damp earth that all take shape in the glass. The palate has good freshness with a silky mouthfeel. Elegant and linear, this shows red currants and guava puree flavors alongside shades of black tea and forest floor. The salty, savory aspects of this wine are seriously good, producing mouth-watering acidity that adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2020-2030- 91
2017 Bells Up ‘Candide’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 Bells Up ‘Candide’ Pinot Noir was sourced from the Nemarniki Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA and is a really good release by the talented former lawyer, Dave Specter. Fresh, vibrant and full of bright acidity, while this might be a bit lean for some, the length and elegance of the wine, with its pretty red fruits and saline driven terroir, cannot be denied. High-toned and fantastic to enjoy in its youth, I can see this cellaring well over the next decade — but why wait? Drink 2020-2028- 91