Sometimes, when I’m swamped in the woes of reality, I gaze off into the distance and wonder what it would be like to just make wine for a living…anyone else with me? For Dave and Sara Specter of Bells Up Winery, they took that dream and made it into a reality. From making wine in their bathtub in the Midwest to purchasing land in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, they are the definition of entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and dream-followers.
Bells Up Winery was another stop during my visit to the Willamette Valley in May (you can check out some of my other stops here and here), and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to sit down with Dave and Sara for a fun, casual wine tasting on the patio at their winery. Dave and Sara’s vivacious storytelling was the perfect backdrop for enjoying Bells Up wine. As I listened to their anecdotes, I witnessed first-hand the qualities that have allowed Dave and Sara to be successful in pursuing this winemaking dream of theirs: resilience, humility, perspective, and appreciation for the little things in life.
Like so many, Dave and Sara had previously lived a life that was dictated by the demands of corporate America. Their life in the Midwest felt unbalanced, exhausting, and it was taking a physical and emotional toll on them. Naturally, Dave and Sara began to examine the pieces of their life that brought happiness and fulfillment.
Dave had taken up the hobby of winemaking over the years as an escape from the demands of his career. It all started with one box of kit wine on Dave and Sara’s five-year anniversary. The small operation continued to grow, and soon Dave became known for his wine throughout the neighborhood. Friends came over to partake in his experiments, and, yes, he really was fermenting wine in the bathtub. Dave even entered his wine into amateur wine competitions and won, twice! Sara, realizing that Dave’s hobby was turning into a calling, suggested they take a leap of faith and move to Newberg, Oregon to open their own winery. They uprooted their family and settled on a property in the Willamette Valley in 2012, subsequently opening Bells Up Winery the following year. Their first wines were released on Memorial Day 2015.
A first glimpse at the Bells Up website summarizes the drastic shift in perspective, lifestyle, and priorities that Dave and Sara experienced. A quote by Confucius scrolls across the screen reading, “We all have two lives, and the second begins the moment we realize we only have one.”
You may be wondering the origin of the Bells Up name. I know I was before my visit!
Its meaning is twofold: first, it refers to the winery’s location on Bell Road. Second, and perhaps more important, it refers to Dave’s 20-years as a French horn player. The term “bells up” refers to a dramatic moment in classical music where the horns are turned upward to produce sound with the utmost intensity. In listening to these musical moments, the sound, energy, and excitement of this crescendo fills your soul. Dave refers to the creation of Bells Up Winery as his personal #bellsupmoment.
Dave and Sara have taken the Bells Up theme a step further, naming each of their wines in honor of a piece of classical music that surely mimics the bottle’s personality. Here’s a summary of the wines we tasted:
2018 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc, named from Carl Nielsen’s “Helios Overture, Opus 18”
This is the first and only Seyval Blanc produced in the Willamette Valley, and only the second in the state of Oregon! This vibrant white wine is acid-driven and shares many of the same characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc. The Seyval Blanc is bold, unique, and can hold up to food pairings. It’s a rare varietal and is definitely worth trying!
2018 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc, named for George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”
Full of melon and citrus flavors, this full-bodied white wine has balanced acid and velvety texture. Aged in stainless steel, this wine offers a clean aroma and sharp finish on the palate. A refreshing sip on a hot day or perfect dinner pairing.
2018 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, named for Franz Liszt’s “Symphonic Poem No. 3: Les Preludes”
The vibrant color of this Rosé is worth a thousand words of its own, and the flavor stands out as well. The Prelude Rosé is aged for 6 months in neutral French oak, giving it an earthy backbone. It features flavors of fresh berries and subtle spice as well. An absolute standout.
2016 Titan Pinot Noir, named for Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major, “Titan”
Perhaps my favorite of the lineup, this Pinot Noir has perfectly balanced tannins, hints of spice, and ripe berry aromas. Dave described 2016 as a perfect year for Pinot Noir…even as a young wine, the Titan is perfectly balanced. We couldn’t resist taking a bottle of this wine back to California.
2017 Candide Reserve Pinot Noir, named for Leonard Bernstein’s Operetta, “Candide”
Aromas of tobacco and strong spice flavors make this a promising Pinot. This is a perfect wine for ageing, as its nuanced flavors will begin to shine more over time. With that said, it is a perfect representation of the minute details that the Willamette Valley soils can produce in the Pinot Noir grapes.
2017 Firebird Walla Walla Valley Syrah, named for Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite”
While not grown in the Willamette Valley, this Syrah was still a standout in the lineup. The Firebird showcases a deep purple color, full body, and mild tannins. It is aged for 12 months in oak, and is a “bigger” wine than the Pinots. It was a treat to see another wine region represented in the Bells Up lineup, particularly one as outstanding as the Walla Walla Valley. We snuck a bottle of the Firebird back to California, too!
While each of these six Bells Up wines were very different from one another, it was clear that Dave maintains a consistent approach in his winemaking style. Each wine was like a chapter from a book: each “chapter” taught you something and provided context, which allowed you to appreciate the next wine even more. Altogether, they created a beautiful story that spoke of tenacity, passion, and the hopeless romance of following a dream.
Opening a winery is no small undertaking, but Dave and Sara make it look easy. Their micro-boutique winery is fueled by passion for the art of winemaking and the desire to serve others. In just a few short years since their opening, they have continued to hone in on their personal winemaking style, have expanded their production (though they will both say they have no intention of becoming a large-production winery), and have built countless relationships with customers who walk through their doors.
Each tasting at Bells Up is by appointment, and that’s by design.
Getting to know their clientele is a central part of Dave and Sara’s mission. Dave and Sara also make wine tasting approachable by incorporating simple wine education into their tastings. In their words, “There are no wine snobs at Bells Up!” Instead, every customer is made to feel as though they are part of the family in a casual, completely unintimidating environment. You are free to sit back, relax, and sip on some fantastic wine as laughter, storytelling, and classical music fill the air.
Bells Up Winery ships wine direct to consumer throughout the United States. Orders are accepted by phone or email. Check out the Bells Up website for more information on each of their wines, or, better yet, just pay Dave and Sara a visit! They are delightful company, and a day drinking Bells Up wine is a day very well-spent.
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