Show 664, January 31, 2026: Bells Up Winery, Newberg, Oregon with Winemaker Dave Specter

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Adam Bell

“Perched on the side of Oregon’s Chehalem Mountain and overlooking Newberg and the Willamette Valley to the south, Bells Up Winery makes approximately 600 cases annually and offers a small selection of Oregon-grown and produced varietals. All Bells Up wines  are sold directly from  their tasting room.”

“If you’re this successful in a career that makes you sick, stressed and miserable… how much more successful would you be doing something you love?” That’s the Bells Up story…

“That’s the question Sara asked Dave almost 20 years ago, following his mental and physical breakdown from more than a decade as a successful corporate tax attorney. This, while watching Sara’s professional mentor battle pancreatic cancer at age 40.”

“The answer, for The Specters, was that life is too short to spend unhappy. So they turned the basement hobby that brought Dave joy — winemaking — into Bells Up Winery.”

“Dave left the legal field, dedicating himself full-time to learning the business of making wine as a professional at  Henke Winery  while living in Cincinnati, Ohio.”

“After Dave won two different amateur national winemaking competitions with two different wines, they decided to relocate to Newberg, Oregon. In 2013, Dave & Sara established Bells Up Winery and their winemaking dreams took root.”

“Today — micro-boutique, un-domaine and open exclusively for one winemaker-hosted tasting experience at a time — Bells Up composes handcrafted, classically-styled Oregon Pinot Noir, Rosé, Pinot Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Schioppettino with grapes sourced exclusively from their estate vineyard and from Summit View Vineyard in Eastern Oregon.”

Tastings at Bell’s Up are personally conducted by Winemaker Dave or Sara.

Winemaker Dave Specter joins us pulling the cork on all that is Bells Up Winery.

Show 620, March 15, 2025: WillaKenzie Estate winery, Northern Willamette Valley, OR with Winemaker Erik Kramer

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Adam Bell

Erik Kramer of WillaKenzie Estate Winery

“WillaKenzie Estate is a family-owned, estate-driven winery located in the heart of Oregon’s Northern Willamette Valley. Since breaking ground more than 25 years ago, they have been passionate about crafting Pinot Noirs that convey a sense of place. They coined the moniker “Place Matters” – the Oregonian answer to the French concept of terroir. True to the vision of their Burgundian founder, terroir is not a simple notion ; it’s the core to everything WillaKenzie does. It’s in the name, WillaKenzie, which describes the ancient sedimentary soils on which the vines are planted. The name also pays tribute to two of the Willamette Valley’s major rivers : the Willamette and McKenzie, which appear as two sets of waves in the top-right and lower-left corners of their crest. These expressive lines evoke the rivers as well as the rolling hills of their Yamhill-Carlton Estate. The fleur-der-lis at the center of the WillaKenzie crest pays homage to their founder, Bernard Lacroute’s, French heritage.”

“A scientist by training, Winemaker Erik Kramer worked as a hydrogeologist before deciding to apply his precision and passion for balance to his love of wine. Kramer joined WillaKenzie Estate in January of 2017, bringing deep experience creating highly acclaimed Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the region, defined by terroir and texture-driven winemaking and a refined style of finesse and balance. In partnership with the tenured vineyard management team, Erik drives WillaKenzie Estate wines towards their highest potential.”

“WillaKenzie Estate is one of the most unique, diverse and historic properties in the Willamette Valley. Pinot Noir so clearly represents its sense of place and the unique topography at WillaKenzie offers so many fascinating expressions of the varietal. It’s an honor to work with an Estate that is capable of producing such a broad array of great wines that offer both clarity and distinction.” Erik Kramer

Winemaker Erik Kramer joins us to pull the cork on all that is WillaKenzie Estate.

Show 604, November 23, 2024: Ghost Hill Cellars, Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Oregon with Cameron Bower

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Adam Bell

“Ghost Hill Cellars is a fifth-generation farm, vineyard estate, and unforgettable event destination, sustainably tended by the Bayliss-Bower family (and the ghost of a murdered gold miner) since 1906. Neighboring the vineyards of Ken Wright, Tony Soter, and other Willamette Valley luminaries in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the family’s highly prized soils produce Pinot Noir of exceptional finesse and longevity, crafted by legendary Oregon winemaker Eric Hamacher. With a spectacular new hospitality center to match the award-winning wines, Ghost Hill Cellars is a family treasure far more enduring than a prospector’s lucky break.”

“In April 2024, the Bayliss-Bower family unveiled a striking new tasting room and hospitality center perched at the very top of the ridge, with incredible 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. Retractable glass doors, outdoor firepits, and multiple seating areas create a variety of inviting and comfortable spaces for wine tastings, weddings, and special events of all kinds. In this modern farmhouse setting, guests are welcomed like family for tastings Thursday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Fridays.”

“Ghost Hill produces four 100% estate-grown Pinot Noirs: Pinot Noir Blanc (made with no skin contact), Pinot Noir Rosé, Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir, and Prospector’s Reserve Pinot Noir (made from the oldest vines of the estate). Critics regularly score this lineup 90-94 points.” With the planting of Chardonnay in the new vineyard a sparkling wine program is definitely in their future.

For more info about Uncovering the Terroir of Ghost Hill Cellars tasting please follow the link to the article penned by my International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association’s (IFWTWA) fellow member, Stacey Wittig.

Representing the Bayliss-Bower family is Cameron Bower, “Business Guy and Wine Lover.”

Show 603, November 16, 2024: Sidereus Vineyard & Winery, Cornelius, Tualatin Valley, Oregon with Winemaker Jason Bull

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Adam Bell

Jason Bull of Sidereus Vineyard and Winery

“Sidereus Vineyard & Winery in Cornelius, Tualatin Valley Oregon, which opened in 2021, is a boutique winery in the Laurelwood District AVA. The established estate-grown vineyards produce Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling.”

“Winemaker Jason Bull, who has earned acclaim as a winemaker from several wineries in the Willamette Valley, makes complex wines that truly reflect the region’s terroir.”

“Winemaker, Jason Bull, is fond of saying, “Great wine comes from great fruit,” promising red wines with depth and balance and whites that show their true varietal character.”

“Using just minimal intervention, the goal at Sidereus is to produce wines that provide a true representation of the vineyard they come from. They strive to produce elegant and assertive wines, both rich in flavor and substance, that serve as an expression of the land, the soil, and the season during which the grapes are grown and harvested.”

The welcoming Zach Mance is the on-site Hospitality Manager. He is a WSET Level 3 Sommelier who has spent time in The Finger Lakes in New York State. Definitely taste the Riesling. Open for tastings every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. Reservations Required.

Winemaker Jason Bull joins us to gently pull the cork on all that is Sidereus Vineyard & Winery.

Show 529, June 10, 2023: Bells Up Winery, Newberg, OR with Winemaker Dave Specter Part One

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Adam Bell

The Bells Up Winery’s (Newberg, Oregon) Story…

“If you’re this successful in a career that makes you sick, stressed and miserable… how much more successful would you be doing something you love?”

“That’s the question Sara Specter asked husband, Dave 13 years ago, following his mental and physical breakdown from more than a decade as a successful corporate tax attorney. This, while watching Sara’s professional mentor battle pancreatic cancer at age 40.”

“The answer, for The Specters, was that life is too short to spend unhappy. So they turned the basement hobby that brought Dave joy — winemaking — into Bells Up Winery.”

“Dave left the legal field, dedicating himself full-time to learning the business of making wine as a professional at Henke Winery while the Family lived in Cincinnati, Ohio.”

“After Dave won two different amateur national winemaking competitions with two different wines, The Specters decided to relocate to Newberg, Oregon. In 2013, they established Bells Up Winery and their winemaking dreams took root.”

“Today — micro-boutique, un-domaine and open exclusively for one winemaker-hosted tasting experience at a time — Bells Up composes handcrafted, classically-styled Oregon Pinot Noir, Rosé, Pinot Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes sourced from their estate vineyard and from micro-sites in the Willamette Valley and Eastern Oregon.”

“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 French horn player who performed throughout high school and college, says the winery is his “Bells Up” moment.”

Winemaker Dave Specter is our guest pulling the cork on all that is Bells Up Winery.

Show 529, June 10, 2023: Bells Up Winery, Newberg, OR with Winemaker Dave Specter Part Two

Posted on June 11, 2023 by Adam Bell

The Bells Up Winery’s (Newberg, Oregon) Story…

“If you’re this successful in a career that makes you sick, stressed and miserable… how much more successful would you be doing something you love?”

“That’s the question Sara Specter asked husband, Dave 13 years ago, following his mental and physical breakdown from more than a decade as a successful corporate tax attorney. This, while watching Sara’s professional mentor battle pancreatic cancer at age 40.”

“The answer, for The Specters, was that life is too short to spend unhappy. So they turned the basement hobby that brought Dave joy — winemaking — into Bells Up Winery.”

“Dave left the legal field, dedicating himself full-time to learning the business of making wine as a professional at Henke Winery while the Family lived in Cincinnati, Ohio.”

“Today — micro-boutique, un-domaine and open exclusively for one winemaker-hosted tasting experience at a time — Bells Up composes handcrafted, classically-styled Oregon Pinot Noir, Rosé, Pinot Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes sourced from their estate vineyard and from micro-sites in the Willamette Valley and Eastern Oregon.”

Winemaker Dave Specter continues with us pulling the cork on all that is the boutique Bells Up Winery.

Show 480, June 25, 2022: Iris Vineyards, Springfield, OR with Winemaker Aaron Lieberman and Carl Giavanti Part One

Posted on June 26, 2022 by Adam Bell

“Iris Vineyards perches in the iris-dotted hills at the southern edge of the Willamette Valley, an 870-acre, high-elevation preserve dedicated to the ancient Greek concept of areté – the tireless striving to achieve one’s fullest potential. Areté guides the proprietors Richard Boyles and Pamela Frye, and winemaker Aaron Lieberman to create fresh, fruit-forward wines that truly honor their source.”

“Richard Boyles and Pamela Frye spent several years searching for a site with the potential to create great Pinot Noir. In 1992, they found a property in the foothills of the Oregon Coast Mountain Range at the south end of the Willamette Valley. It had been clear-cut, exposing sloping hillsides, promising soils, and site’s immense potential for the Burgundian and Alsatian varietals Richard and Pamela loved most. Richard and Pamela committed to replanting 500 acres of the estate to Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine for timber harvesting, and to restoring a diverse forest habitat with multiple native tree and understory species represented.”

“Winemaker Aaron Lieberman joined Iris as the head of winemaking in 2008, and has spearheaded the winery’s significant quality advances over the last decade. Like Richard, Aaron has always approached his life and work with areté in mind – striving each day to improve and achieve the best possible result.”

“Iris Vineyards’ winemaking program empowers Aaron to apply areté in every aspect of the work. He describes himself as a shepherd, guiding rather than forcing nature in the direction he wants it to go. This work begins, of course, with growing the best possible grapes. Aaron collaborates with vineyard manager Nathan Sparrow to optimize the growth, health, and maturity of each block of the Chalice Vineyard estate. He also works closely with other Willamette Valley growers and Rogue Valley growers who produce the warm-climate varieties for some of Iris Vineyards’ wine club selections.”

“Aaron’s goal: bright, fruit-forward wines with crisp acidity and low alcohol that honor their origins and deliver exceptional value.”

“Under the Iris Vineyards name, the winery produces a wide range of red, white, and rosé wines from the Chalice Vineyard, as well as from selected vineyards around the state. The Areté label represents the reserve, or premium level of wines – truly the best of the estate.” The Areté label also represents Iris Vineyards’ premium sparkling wine program all done in-house on the Estate.

Earlier this month Iris Vineyards opened a new Wine Bar in Downtown Springfield, Oregon on historic Main Street. Winemaker Aaron has created a selection of wine-based cocktails for the Wine Bar.

Winemaker Aaron Lieberman joins us to pull the cork on all that is Iris Vineyards joined by Oregon-based wine marketing and public relations authority Carl Giavanti.

Show 480, June 25, 2022: Iris Vineyards, Springfield, OR with Winemaker Aaron Lieberman and Carl Giavanti Part Two

Posted on June 26, 2022 by Adam Bell

“Areté (AIR-it-tay) is a concept with deep roots in ancient Greek mythology, literature and philosophy. In simple terms, it is the moral imperative to achieve your full potential – the obligation to strive every day to do better, and be the best you can be. At Iris Vineyards, areté means constant attention to their vineyard practices, the wine quality, and Iris’ hospitality.”

“Aaron’s goal: bright, fruit-forward wines with crisp acidity and low alcohol that honor their origins and deliver exceptional value.”

Earlier this month Iris Vineyards opened a new Wine Bar in Downtown Springfield, Oregon on historic Main Street. Winemaker Aaron has created a selection of wine-based cocktails for the Wine Bar.

Winemaker Aaron Lieberman continues with us to further pull the cork on all that is Iris Vineyards and also joined by Oregon-based wine marketing and public relations authority, Carl Giavanti.

Show 353, December 28, 2019: Bells Up Winery with Proprietor & Winemaker Dave Specter Part One

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Adam Bell

Micro-boutique, un-domaine and always open by appointment, Bells Up Winery in Newberg, Oregon composes fewer than 500 cases of hand crafted, classically styled Oregon Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Rose of Pinot Noir and Syrah. It’s a 2^nd career, passion project of Winemaker Dave Specter and his wife, Sara. The Chief Marketing Officer.

“After more than a decade of success as a corporate tax attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dave Specter was emotionally and physically spent. His wife Sara convinced him to leave the profession and they turned the hobby that brought him joy—winemaking—into his new career. The pair had fallen in love with Newberg and the Willamette Valley while on vacation in 2008, subsequently moving here in 2012 and establishing Bells Up in 2013. The first wines were released Memorial Day 2015, coinciding with the opening of the estate winery/tasting room.”

“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.”

Winemaker Dave joins us to pull the cork on Bells Up Winery.

Show 305, January 5, 2019: Winemaker Eric Hamacher, Hamacher Wines, Beaverton, Oregon

Posted on January 6, 2019 by Adam Bell

Eric Hamacher set forth as a winemaking gypsy after earning his viticulture and enology degree from UC Davis in 1988. Eric has since created stunning wines for more than 35 vintages at multiple wineries around the world. After leaving Napa in 1995, Eric headed North to the “Promise Land” of Pinot Noir and founded his eponymous winery in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.

After pushing for several years and finally succeeding to change Oregon state law to enable multiple winery licensing in one facility, Eric with his wife, Luisa Ponzi (Ponzi Vineyards) and partners Ned and Kristen Lumpkin, co-founded The Carlton Winemakers Studio in 2002. The Studio was the first of its kind and operated as a multi-winery facility designed to enable small, high-end wineries and boutique, artisanal producers to share space and expertise.

With the bountiful 2014 harvest and the seams stretching at the studio, Eric moved himself out. With the “Reopening” of Hamacher Wines at the original Ponzi Historical Estate, Eric was able to launch his first tasting room dedicated to showcasing his wines directly to appreciative wine lovers.

Today, Eric’s production of artisan Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at Hamacher Wines is just shy of 2,000 cases annually, possibly Oregon’s slowest growing winery.

Eric is with us to pull the cork on the Hamacher and H Wines varietals of Hamacher Wines.