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Bethel Heights Vineyard
| Owner(s) | Terry Casteel |
| Web site | www.bethelheights.com |
| Link to this site |
Planted between 1977 and 1979, Bethel Heights Vineyard was one of the first vineyards in the Eola Hills. The first wines were made in 1984. Bethel Heights now produces approximately 10,000 cases yearly, most of which comes from its 70-acre vineyard and the newly planted Justice Vineyard.
The winery produces several Pinot Noirs, including an Estate, and several block-designated special bottlings, usually the Flat Block and the Southeast Block, vinified separately from adjoining parts of the vineyard. A barrel selected and blended reserve, the Casteel Reserve, has recently been added to the lineup.
The winery tasting room is open from May through October Tuesday through Sunday from 11-5 (November, March and April, weekends only). The address is 6060 Bethel Heights Road, NW, Salem OR (about twenty minutes northeast of the town of Salem). 503-581-2262. The Bethel Heights B&B is directly across the street (503-364-7688). The wines are available on the website with some distribution to fine wine stones.
Articles About Bethel Heights Vineyard
Reviewed Wines
2007 Bethel Heights Casteel Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc..
·
Alluring scents of fresh
berries, minerals and savory herbs. The fruit is juicy, sweet and subtlety spiced. The perky acidity on the finish
makes you want another sip.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Estate Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc..
·
Tart cherry and cranberry flavors form
the nucleus of this medium-weighted wine featuring lovely floral and herbal notes on the nose and soft tannins
on the finish.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Flat Block Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc.. The Flat Block is a 3.3 acre
section of the estate vineyard planted in 1979 all to Pommard clone. The rocks underlying this block
have a different mineral composition from those of the Southeast Block. As a result, this wine is the
most refined and elegant of the Bethel Heights Pinot Noirs.
·
When I tasted this one I wrote, “Gorgeous”
and underlined it. This is classic Pinot Noir with perky dark red Pinot fruits livened with herbs and spice
and set off by brisk acidity and supple tannins. This could be the star of the vintage.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Justice Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc.. Primarily Dijon clones 114,
667, 777.
·
An impressive expression of redder fruits enhanced by Asian spices backed by a bright acidic
backbone. A lovely wine of charming elegance.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Southeast Block Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc.. The grapes from this block
were the last to be picked in this vintage.
·
This is a highly structured and textured wine with tannin to spare.
There are copious amounts of black cherry and black raspberry fruit framed by healthy oak, earth and meat.
Don’t even think about drinking this wine for another year or two.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., $23 (winery retail is $30).
·
Moderately light reddish-purple
color. Shy aromas of cherries and wine cave. Red fruited with bright acidity and
a touch of citrus on the zesty finish. A simple but satisfying drink that is nicely
crafted.
Reviewed March 26, 2009
ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée Pinot Noir
13.2% alc., 1.612 cases, $30. From estate and five
sourced vineyards in the appellation. Aged 10 months in 35% new French oak barrels.
·
Well-spiced cherry and
berry fruit with overtones of brown sugar with a sensible grip. A bit of alcohol peaks out on the nose.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Flat Block Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Flat Block is a 30-year-old part of the
estate vineyard, own-rooted, and planted to the Pommard clone. It shows the feminine side of Pinot Noir. 50%
new, medium toast French oak.
·
Confected cherry aromas lead to nicely spiced red fruits, particularly
strawberry, ending with generous acidity. Deliciously fruity and easy to drink.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Jesse James Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 143 cases, $50. The
first bottling from an extremely well-tended non-estate 4-acre vineyard planted to Pommard, Wädenswil and
Dijon 667. The grapes were sourced for blending but stood out so well they were designated. 1.5-ton
fermenters were layered with 20% whole clusters and the remainder of the fruit was de-stemmed and placed
on top of the whole bunches and left to cold soak for 5 days. Punched down twice a day during the 14 day
fermentation. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak barrels.
·
A generous wine showing beautiful dark
cherry, raspberry and plum fruit with ample acidity and noticeable but not imposing tannins.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Justice Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 250 cases, $50. 17 acres
planted between 1999 and 2001. Clones 667 and Pommard were selected for a separate bottling. Made up of
wine from two fermenters with 50% and 100% whole clusters. 5 day cold soak, racked twice, aged 16 months
in 50% new French oak barrels.
·
Lighter in weight and the most demure wine in the lineup. Pleasing ripe berry
and cherry fruits attractively spiced with supple tannins and lively acidity on the refreshing finish.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Southeast Block Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
14.9%
alc., 141 cases, $50. From a 6- section of the estate vineyard planted in 1979.
100% Pommard clone planted on their own roots, trained to a Scott Henry trellis
and cropped to two tons per acre. 20% whole cluster fermentation. A barrel
selection blended for this reserve wine.
·
A killer on the palate with massive
black raspberry fruit. Muscular but retaining a stylish focus and a creamy
texture that is most appealing. Showing just a delicate kiss of wood and gossamer
tannins.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights West Block Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
15.2% alc., 141 cases, $50. Composed of
Wädenswil clones (UCD 1A) planted in 1977 on their own roots in a 5 acre section of the estate vineyard.
These are the oldest Pinot Noir vines at Bethel Heights. In the warmest vintages like 2006, the late harvest
allows the Wädenswil clone to achieve maximum flavor development and a few select barrels are chosen for a
block-designated wine. Gently de-stemmed and cold soaked for 5 days, then inoculated with proprietary
Burgundian yeast, aged 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels.
·
This is a prodigious wine with massive
concentration but is not jammy as there is plenty of acid to balance the fruit. Noticeable oak compliments the
spiced and syrupy dark cherry and raspberry fruit leading to a lively citric tang on the finish. The alcohol is held
in tow by the impressive balance.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Casteel Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 747
cases, $60. 48% Bethel Heights Wädenswil block, 17% Bethel Heights clone 114, 10%
Bethel Heights clone 777, and 25% Seven Springs Vineyard (last call!). 25% whole
cluster, 5 day cold soak, both native and cultured yeast fermentation, racked once.
Barrel aged 13 months in 50% new French oak. Unfiltered.
·
Dark red fruits and oak
spice dominate the substantial aromas and flavors. The perky acidity and slippery
tannins make the wine easy to drink and the long, long finish leaves a pleasant
impression.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Vineyard Casteel Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $60. From a LIVE and
Salmon Safe vineyard (see feature on sustainability in this issue).
·
A
beautiful wine of great style and sensuality. Demure scents of Bing
cherry, black raspberry, baking spice and forest floor. Long and smooth
flavors duplicate the aromas with an appealing earthiness. Full in the
mouth showing a deft use of oak and finishing with a dusting of finegrained
tannin. Balanced, gorgeous and pure. Give this wine another year for a
hair-raising experience.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Casteel Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc.. · Alluring scents of fresh berries, minerals and savory herbs. The fruit is juicy, sweet and subtlety spiced. The perky acidity on the finish makes you want another sip. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Estate Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc.. · Tart cherry and cranberry flavors form the nucleus of this medium-weighted wine featuring lovely floral and herbal notes on the nose and soft tannins on the finish. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Flat Block Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc.. The Flat Block is a 3.3 acre section of the estate vineyard planted in 1979 all to Pommard clone. The rocks underlying this block have a different mineral composition from those of the Southeast Block. As a result, this wine is the most refined and elegant of the Bethel Heights Pinot Noirs. · When I tasted this one I wrote, “Gorgeous” and underlined it. This is classic Pinot Noir with perky dark red Pinot fruits livened with herbs and spice and set off by brisk acidity and supple tannins. This could be the star of the vintage. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Justice Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc.. Primarily Dijon clones 114, 667, 777. · An impressive expression of redder fruits enhanced by Asian spices backed by a bright acidic backbone. A lovely wine of charming elegance. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Southeast Block Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc.. The grapes from this block were the last to be picked in this vintage. · This is a highly structured and textured wine with tannin to spare. There are copious amounts of black cherry and black raspberry fruit framed by healthy oak, earth and meat. Don’t even think about drinking this wine for another year or two. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., $23 (winery retail is $30). · Moderately light reddish-purple color. Shy aromas of cherries and wine cave. Red fruited with bright acidity and a touch of citrus on the zesty finish. A simple but satisfying drink that is nicely crafted. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »
2007 Bethel Heights Eola-Amity Hills Cuvée Pinot Noir
13.2% alc., 1.612 cases, $30. From estate and five sourced vineyards in the appellation. Aged 10 months in 35% new French oak barrels. · Well-spiced cherry and berry fruit with overtones of brown sugar with a sensible grip. A bit of alcohol peaks out on the nose. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Flat Block Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Flat Block is a 30-year-old part of the estate vineyard, own-rooted, and planted to the Pommard clone. It shows the feminine side of Pinot Noir. 50% new, medium toast French oak. · Confected cherry aromas lead to nicely spiced red fruits, particularly strawberry, ending with generous acidity. Deliciously fruity and easy to drink. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Jesse James Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 143 cases, $50. The first bottling from an extremely well-tended non-estate 4-acre vineyard planted to Pommard, Wädenswil and Dijon 667. The grapes were sourced for blending but stood out so well they were designated. 1.5-ton fermenters were layered with 20% whole clusters and the remainder of the fruit was de-stemmed and placed on top of the whole bunches and left to cold soak for 5 days. Punched down twice a day during the 14 day fermentation. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · A generous wine showing beautiful dark cherry, raspberry and plum fruit with ample acidity and noticeable but not imposing tannins. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Justice Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 250 cases, $50. 17 acres planted between 1999 and 2001. Clones 667 and Pommard were selected for a separate bottling. Made up of wine from two fermenters with 50% and 100% whole clusters. 5 day cold soak, racked twice, aged 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Lighter in weight and the most demure wine in the lineup. Pleasing ripe berry and cherry fruits attractively spiced with supple tannins and lively acidity on the refreshing finish. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Southeast Block Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
14.9% alc., 141 cases, $50. From a 6- section of the estate vineyard planted in 1979. 100% Pommard clone planted on their own roots, trained to a Scott Henry trellis and cropped to two tons per acre. 20% whole cluster fermentation. A barrel selection blended for this reserve wine. · A killer on the palate with massive black raspberry fruit. Muscular but retaining a stylish focus and a creamy texture that is most appealing. Showing just a delicate kiss of wood and gossamer tannins. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights West Block Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
15.2% alc., 141 cases, $50. Composed of Wädenswil clones (UCD 1A) planted in 1977 on their own roots in a 5 acre section of the estate vineyard. These are the oldest Pinot Noir vines at Bethel Heights. In the warmest vintages like 2006, the late harvest allows the Wädenswil clone to achieve maximum flavor development and a few select barrels are chosen for a block-designated wine. Gently de-stemmed and cold soaked for 5 days, then inoculated with proprietary Burgundian yeast, aged 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · This is a prodigious wine with massive concentration but is not jammy as there is plenty of acid to balance the fruit. Noticeable oak compliments the spiced and syrupy dark cherry and raspberry fruit leading to a lively citric tang on the finish. The alcohol is held in tow by the impressive balance. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Casteel Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., 747 cases, $60. 48% Bethel Heights Wädenswil block, 17% Bethel Heights clone 114, 10% Bethel Heights clone 777, and 25% Seven Springs Vineyard (last call!). 25% whole cluster, 5 day cold soak, both native and cultured yeast fermentation, racked once. Barrel aged 13 months in 50% new French oak. Unfiltered. · Dark red fruits and oak spice dominate the substantial aromas and flavors. The perky acidity and slippery tannins make the wine easy to drink and the long, long finish leaves a pleasant impression. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Bethel Heights Vineyard Casteel Reserve Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.8% alc., $60. From a LIVE and Salmon Safe vineyard (see feature on sustainability in this issue). · A beautiful wine of great style and sensuality. Demure scents of Bing cherry, black raspberry, baking spice and forest floor. Long and smooth flavors duplicate the aromas with an appealing earthiness. Full in the mouth showing a deft use of oak and finishing with a dusting of finegrained tannin. Balanced, gorgeous and pure. Give this wine another year for a hair-raising experience. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
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