Can Wine Be Musical – Bells Up Winery Knows

Posted on   March 29,2023   By John Compisi

I recently had the opportunity to do a Zoom tasting with David and Sara Specter of Bells Up Winery. The event was sponsored by the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). The two wines we tasted were from their Willamette Valley winery.

Musician, lawyer and winemaker, David began expressing his winemaking passion in the couples Cincinnati, Ohio home as a garagista. After scoring well in an amateur winemakers’ competition in 2011, they were both infected by the virus of ‘life is too short’ and pulled up stakes and immersed themselves in the Willamette Valley just north of Newberg, Oregon. They purchased 10 acres in 2012, on Bell Road, coincidentally. Little by little they have been hand planting their 8.5 plant-able acres using some expected and some unique varietals. Having reached about 600 cases per harvest they have decided to remain stable in terms of volume. In 2019, they built a production facility on the property, and continue to use a renovated pole barn as their tasting space.

They have focused on a few Pinot Noir clones (7 clones PN Pommard, Wadenswil, 667, 113, 943, 777 and 115) as well as Seyval Blanc and Pinot Blanc. They also produce a Syrah and a Cab with Pinot lovers in mind.

We were sent two wines for the Zoom tasting: a 2021 ‘Helios’ Seyval Blanc, Chehalem Mtns AVA and a 2021 Jupiter Estate Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mtns AVA. Each of these, in fact, all of their bottlings are named with a musical reference. The Helios after Carl Nielson’s “Helios Overture, Opus 18” and the Jupiter after both Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”.

Both wines offered sound structure and balance. The Seyval Blanc, a white wine grape, was a surprise. A hybrid grape that originated in France but is mostly grown in England, Virginia, the Finger Lakes Region of New York and Ohio. It ripens early in cooler climates and is well suited to the eastern slopes of the Willamette Valley. As the grape contains some non-vinifera genes, it is outlawed in the European Union. There is also a Seyval Noir but that will not be discussed here.

The 2021 Helios smacked me in the face with its crisp, dry and high acid palate pleasing profile. It also had very good minerality and a whiff of petrol. Sort of a cross between Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Thanks to the acid, the finish was very long. It also presented a hint of orange peel and green apple. A great match for oysters or other shellfish. Only 64 cases were produced and it retails for $38.

The 2021 Jupiter showed dark cherry on the nose and a fairly deep garnet color. The blend of Pommard, Dijon, 667 and 113 offers a level of complexity that is subtle and very pleasant. The flavors of cola. Red fruit and cherry come through clearly. Retail price of the 2020 vintage was $50. Less than 100 cases were produced.

Bells Up Winery is a 100% Direct to Consumer (DTC) only sales model so the website and the winery are the only place to purchase these wines. They do have a wine club and host club events, again, for more information visit the website. They were excited to announce that their first bubbles will be released around April 1^st for $48. Check them out.