Some places absolutely deserve to be revisited. And Bells Up Winery near Newberg, Oregon is certainly one of those special places for me.
As we turned up the driveway I felt a warm sense of homecoming as I remembered our first visit several years ago. On our return this year we marveled again at the beautiful home nestled in the pine trees. The winery and tasting room and the expanding vineyard spread out before us as we climbed higher on that ridge.
Those vines had certainly grown since our last visit, and the clusters of grapes were proof that those vines are happy on that gorgeous hillside.
The fruits of winemaker Dave’s labor were in full view. (Notice the nets placed around those precious grapes to keep hungry birds away.)
On our first visit, Dave and Sara Specter shared the poignant story of how their lives in Cincinnati led them to the Willamette Valley to create a vineyard. Those two became our instant friends on that warm August day in 2016. Our paths crossed over an unlikely Internet photo I posted of a dish I call Porcupine Meatballs! Read about our 2016 visit right HERE.
We were met this time by smiling Sara. It’s obvious that grapes aren’t the only plants that thrive in the soil at Bells Up Winery!
Together we walked into the heart of their expanding winery.
Winemaker Dave met us with his trademark smile as well.
I am not a wine connoisseur, but I love to learn and taste and discover. That’s fine with winemaker Dave. He makes it perfectly clear that you don’t have to be a wine sommelier to visit Bells Up for a wine tasting appointment. He is happy to explain and share information in a way that even this old Meemaw can understand! And the view from their wine porch is worth a visit for anyone!
A Bells Up wine tasting is like a sit-down visit with good friends you just haven’t met yet!
The award winning Pinot Noir wines produced at that boutique winery are truly amazing.
A tasting flight consists of four wines. I won’t try to tell you the nuances of each one because I am not a sophisticated wine drinker. (I left the “wine talk”to Dave and Sara!) I just know what tastes good to me. And believe me when I say these wines taste better than good! I simply sipped and savored each one as Dave shared his passion for coaxing every bit of a winemaker’s love into each bottle. But I DO know what wine “legs” are…and Bells Up wines have legs!
Wow. Just WOW. And combined with the view from their gorgeous wine porch? Priceless.
Dave also treated me to an extra incredibly special wine that day. Check out this bottle of Estate Seyval Blanc. (Estate wine means all the grapes used in that wine were grown at that vineyard. None were purchased elsewhere and mixed in.)
Bells Up Winery has the FIRST Seyval Blanc grape vines planted in the WIllamette Valley…and only the second Seyval Blanc vines in the entire state of Oregon!
Talk about Nectar of the Gods.
The various wines produced by that amazing couple at that beautiful vineyard are the stuff of dreams. And Bells Up wines can be shipped right to your door! (That’s what I did.)
It truly was a wonderful time spent with good friends and great wines.
When it was time to leave we paused for one more photo. As I gazed at that resting barrel of wine I had a moment of enlightenment. I realized if and when we return next year (God willing) I may get the opportunity to taste the contents of that beautiful barrel. And so will you if you come along!
I hope you decide to join us next time. You too will love having “friends in high places” on that gorgeous vineyard hill.
Check out the Confucius quote Sara added to their Bells Up website…
“We all have two lives, and the second begins
the moment we realize we only get one.”
My life is better after meeting these two amazing people, and I truly can taste the love in every sip of Bells Up wine. And you will taste it too.
Who knew a winery could feel like “home”…
Now I know.
XOXO
Meemaw