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Shop › Bethel Heights
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Planted between 1977 and 1979, Bethel Heights was one of the first vineyards in the Eola Hills, a chain of hills in the center of Oregon's Willamette Valley. The estate winery was established in 1984 and currently produces 10,000 cases of wine annually, most of which still comes from the 50 acre estate vineyard. Bethel Heights specializes in Pinot noir, but also produces Chardonnay, Pinot gris and Pinot blanc. Since 1978 Bethel Heights has been owned and operated by a family consortium of five variously related partners. In the beginning before we made wine everyone worked in the vineyard. The establishment of the winery in 1984 ushered in a new division of labor which prevails to this day except during crush, when we revert to a more primitive state. Our vineyard is planted on a south-facing hillside rising from 480 to 620 feet above sea level, with shallow well-drained soils of volcanic origin (Jory/Nekiah soil series). Of the fifty acres of vines planted at Bethel Heights between 1977 and 1979, more than 30 acres still remain on their own roots. The current planting includes: 28 acres of Pinot noir (5 different clones) 14 acres of Chardonnay (3 different clones) 4 acres of Pinot blanc 3 acres of Pinot gris Under the direct care of Vineyard Manager Ted Casteel our viticulture has been refined over twenty years to maximize the specific potential of each section of the vineyard for wine quality. The crop is held to 2.5 tons per acre or less, with intensive canopy management throughout the growing season to maximize flavor development. Bethel Heights is committed to principles of low-input sustainable agriculture for the sake of both wine quality and environmental quality. Our vineyard manager, Ted Casteel, was one of the founders of the Oregon LIVE program (Low Input Viticulture and Enology), under which our vineyard is now certified. Bethel Heights was also one of the first vineyards to be certified "Salmon Safe", by the Pacific Rivers Council, signifying our adherence to farming practices that help keep Oregon's streams and rivers clean. Starting with the 2000 vintage our estate grown wines will have the LIVE logo on the back label. They have had the Salmon Safe logo since 1997. Bethel Heights Vineyard's estate winery was established in 1984. Under the direction of Winemaker Terry Casteel, our wine production has expanded gradually from 3000 cases in 1984 to 10,000 cases in 1997. Our new underground barrel cellar completed just before the 1998 harvest will allow us to age more of our wines longer in barrel - a long-awaited improvement. We firmly believe the old adage that great wine is made in the vineyard. Once the fruit is harvested our winemaking emphasizes gentle handling and minimum intervention through all phases of processing. Grapes from each section of the vineyard are vinified and aged in separate lots until they are bottled, so that we can learn as much as possible about their individual differences and qualities, and how they develop over time. The Eola Hills This independent hill chain of volcanic origin in Oregon's central Willamette Valley is now a widely recognized viticultural region, home to some of Oregon's most acclaimed vineyards. |
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All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages and ratings subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability subject to change.