Bells Up Winery is a beloved Oregon micro-boutique winery curated by winemaker and owner Dave Specter and his wife Sara. The winery makes approximately 600 cases annually. Winemaker Dave explains, "The name Bells Up refers to a dramatic moment in classical music where the composer instructs French horn players to lift the bells of their instruments up and project sound with maximum intensity." Dave, a former French horn player, says the winery is his "Bells Up" moment.
Think beautiful tasting wines composed in a classically tailored style. The Pinot Noir, Rosé, Pinot Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon are worth your time and money. The grapes are sourced exclusively from its estate, and from micro-sites in the Willamette Valley and Eastern Oregon.
Every Bells Up wine is named for a piece of classical music that, "… perfectly epitomizes the wine and/or prominently features the French horn, the instrument owner and winemaker Dave Specter played for more than 20 years."
I was fortunate to taste two of the Bells Up wines. They were definitely smooth and elegant. The vineyards are planted in volcanic soil, giving every wine an earthy rich taste somewhat similar to New Zealand wines.
Bells Up wines are available for purchase exclusively through the tasting room. Orders are also accepted by phone or email. The winery ships throughout the U.S.
Wines
2021 Helios
Estate Vineyard ∞ Chehalem Mountains AVA Seyval Blanc
64 CASES PRODUCED. $38
Although this hybrid wine is found mostly in the Midwest and East Coast, it certainly has found a new home in Oregon. It shares many similarities to Sauvignon Blanc but with its own plucky style. The nose presents in citrus, fresh earth and a faint but smooth mention-worthy diesel aroma. It is a distinct creaminess on the plate with lovely notes of grapefruit and pineapple.
Named for Carl Nielsen's "Helios Overture, Opus 18"
Per owner Sara, "The 2021 Helios Seyval Blanc is DEFINITELY a food wine, and can be paired with a variety of things like dill pickle popcorn, asparagus with Béarnaise and crab meat, fresh oysters, or halibut fish tacos with mango salsa."
2020 Jupiter
Estate Vineyard ∞ Chehalem Mountains AVA Pinot Noir
94 cases produced. $50
Made of nearly equal parts heritage clone Pommard and Dijon clone 667 this wine on the nose presents with juicy cherry, pomegranate, black pepper, herbs, strawberry and a touch of rhubarb. On the palate expect concentrated dark cherry flavors spiced up with notes of black pepper, some lovely earthy notes and juicy blackberry, pomegranate, and red fruits on the finish. Drink now or hold for 5-10 years.
This wine is named for both Gustav Holst's "The Planets" orchestral suite and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter."
Pair with Urban Bliss Life Pinot Noir Chocolate Chip Brownies (recipe included with this article)
Delving Deeper
- ONLY three sessions are offered daily, by appointment, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. (Six guests per appointment, max.)
- Tastings may be booked by calling the winery landline at 503.537.1328. Please allow 90 minutes for your group's private session.
- No tasting fees are charged. However, because your party will be enjoying Winemaker Dave's full and exclusive attention for the entire appointment, there is a minimum 3-bottle purchase commitment per guest. No shared tastings, please.
Address: BellsUp Winery 27895 NE Bell Rd, Newberg, OR 97132
https://bellsupwinery.com/
Chocolate Chip Brownies
with 2021 Jupiter Pinot Noir
Wine, food and lifestyle blogger Marlynn Schotland of Urban Bliss Life originally created this recipe to showcase Bells Up's 2015 Titan Pinot Noir. The recipe is ideal for baking with warmer year Pinots,notably the 2021 Jupiter which has the optimal flavor intensity to complement the chocolate.
Urban Bliss Life Pinot Noir Chocolate Chip Brownies
These brownies have a hint of red wine sweetness and double chocolate,
making them a delicious, decadent dessert.
INGREDIENTS
1 stick butter
9 ounces of semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped (OR semi-sweet chocolate chips)
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons pinot noir wine
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs*
1/2 cup flour (regular or gluten-free; both work fine)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips for sprinkling
* Sara's Note: I have not tried making these with an egg substitute, such as flaxseed. It may work well, however, as the final texture of these brownies is very "fudge-like."
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and the chopped chocolate together. The chopped semi-sweet baking chocolate is what gives this recipe it's ultra gooeyness and chocolate love. Once the mixture is almost melted, add in the pinot noir wine. Reduce heat to low, stir ingredients until the butter and chocolate have completely melted. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
3. With either a mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, mix together the sugar, vanilla and eggs on medium-high speed until you get a light yellow creamy consistency (about 4-5 minutes).
4. Lower the mixer to slow speed and add the flour and salt until well blended.
5. Add the slightly cooled chocolate mixture to the mix until well blended, about 1-2 minutes.
6. Pour mix into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan and then sprinkle the 1/2 cup chocolate chips evenly. Some will sink, some will remain on top.
7. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 22-27 minutes. To test: poke a toothpick into the center — at 25 minutes, if it comes out with a small amount of moist crumbs attached to the toothpick, it's done. If you try to wait until your toothpick comes out clean, you're going to totally overbake these brownies into bricks, so set aside your conventional knowledge of brownies and know that these are DONE usually at or around 25 minutes.
8. Cool brownies in pan at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before slicing.
Useful links
http://bellsupwinery.com