Dec 30, 2022
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BlueBird Hill Farm B&B and Cellars
| Owner(s) | Neil Shay, Sue Shay |
| Web site | www.bluebirdhillcellars.com |
| Link to this site |
Neil and Sue Shay are Willamette Valley transplants from Florida who moved to Monroe in 2011. They renovated a property that was overgrown with Christmas trees and bluebirds.
The couple had crafted hobby wines when they lived in Southern Michigan and had success with local contests. Neil was a food science professor who began work as a teacher and researcher at Oregon State University and also served as director of the Oregon Wine Institute. Sue had a background in sales and marketing and worked in that capacity for Airlie Winery and Heart of Willamette Valley wineries. Encouraged by the owners of Cardwell Hill, they jumped into the wine business as part of their "active retirement."
Bluebird Hill Cellars started small, with 214 cases released from the 2015 vintage. They sourced fruit from various wineries and enlisted the winemaking expertise of Bobby Moy. They now have a line of seven varietals including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Local artist Sky Evans painted the bluebird that graces the wine labels.
A 1.5-acre vineyard has been planted on each side of the main house with tight spacing.
A tasting room is located in the B&B.
Articles About BlueBird Hill Farm B&B and Cellars
Reviewed Wines
2019 Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., pH 3.78, RS 0, 200 cases, $35. Harvest
Brix 22º. Clones 115 and Pommard (37.5%), 777 (20%), and 667 (5%). Aged in French oak barrels, 20% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose leads with appealing aromas of well-spiced cherry,
blueberry and leather. Light to mid-weight in style, driven by red cherry and red berry flavors with a shadow of
oak. An easy, forward drinking wine with a short finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed December 3, 2022
ARTICLE »
2019 Bluebird Hill Cellars Mom’s Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.2% alc., pH 3.53, RS 0, 200
cases, $54. Harvest Brix 22.1º. 50% Pommard and 25% each 667 and 777. Aged in French oak barrels, 25%
new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Oak-kissed cherry and blueberry aromas lead off. Cherry-driven in a
mid-weight style with a thread of oak. Forward-drinking, with modest tannins, and a decent finish. A satisfying
wine but not epic.
Score: 91.
Reviewed December 3, 2022
ARTICLE »
2019 Bluebird Hill Cellars South Block Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., pH 3.68, RS 0, 100 cases, $54.
Harvest Brix 22.0º. 50% 667, 25% each 115 and 777. Aged in
French oak barrels, 25% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the
glass. Aromas of cherry, dried herbs and graham lead to a
middleweight-styled wine featuring red and blue berry fruit
flavors with a touch of spice. Very welcoming with a silky
mouthfeel and a noticeably long finish. The pick of the 2019
vintage litter.
Score: 92.
Reviewed December 3, 2022
ARTICLE »
2019 Bluebird Hill Cellars Zenith Vineyard Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.61, RS
0, 100 cases, $54. Harvest Brix 22.2º. 50% Pommard and 50% 777. Aged in French oak barrels, 20% new.
·
Light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of red cherry, woodpile, and oak spice. A delicate wine with a lighterweighted
gist of cherry fruit. Nicely balanced, with gentle tannins and a modest finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed December 3, 2022
ARTICLE »
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.75, RS 0 g/L, 175 cases, $32. Harvest
Brix 23.1º. 85% Bluebird Hill Vineyard, 15% Zenith Vineyard. Aged in French oak barrels, 18% new.
·
Moderately
light garnet color in the glass. The nose offers aromas of cherry, espresso, graham and spice. Lighter in style,
with a charming core of dark red cherry and berry fruits touched by flavors of red licorice and baking spices.
Easygoing and easy to like, with modest tannins and a cherry-fueled finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed March 21, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars Mom’s Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.60, 83 cases, $49. 100% Bluebird
Hill Vineyard. Harvest Brix 21.3º-22.8º. Aged in French oak
barrels, 10% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass.
Shy aromas of black cherry and raspberry. More appealing on
the palate with a middleweight charge of black cherry,
blackberry, spice and floral flavors. The fruit definitely veers to
the ripe side. Somewhat boldly flavored yet refined and
polished with decent length on the finish. The nose continued to
be reserved but pleasant when tasted the following day from a
previously opened bottle.
Score: 91.
Reviewed March 21, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars South Block Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.71, RS 0 g/
L, 75 cases, $49. 100% Bluebird Hill Vineyard. Harvest Brix 23.2º. Aged in French oak barrels, 10% new.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of dark red raspberry and cherry,
earthy flora and sandalwood. Light to mid-weight in style, with an elegant array of dark red and purple fruits
accented with spice and vanilla. Silky on the palate, integrated fine tannins, and overall a joyous drink.
Score: 93.
Reviewed March 21, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars Zenith Vineyard Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.72, RS
0 g/L, 50 cases, $49. 100% Zenith Vineyard. Harvest Brix 22.3º. Aged in French oak barrels, 15% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Reticent aromas of cherry, baking spice and cocoa. An aldehyde-driven
note of candied apple blows off with time.The light to mid-weight essence of fresh, dark red cherry is framed by
modest tannins. The wine picks up richness of flavor by the following day when re-tasted from a previously
opened bottle.
Score: 90.
Reviewed March 21, 2021
ARTICLE »
2017 Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Chardonnay
13.8% alc., 90 cases, $32. Released
August 2018.
·
Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Plenty of aromas to explore including
lemon oil, pineapple, white peach, pear and buttery biscuit. Slightly creamy in the mouth, with
energetic flavors of lemon, grapefruit and apple. Excellent balance and beguiling appeal.
Score: 93.
Reviewed February 2, 2019
ARTICLE »
2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 110 cases, $32. Released
May 2018.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Pleasing fragrance of black cherry, dark
cranberry and toast. Light to mid weight in concentration, offering forward flavors of black cherry
with a deft touch of toasty oak in the background. Elegant and straightforward, with minimal tannins
and a cherries jubilee finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed February 2, 2019
ARTICLE »
2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 30 cases, $49. Released August 2018.
·
Moderately light
garnet color in the glass. Charming aromas of cherry, red berry, rose
petal and dried herbs. Righteous fruit flavors of cherry and blueberry
with hints of tutti-fruity, spice and cocoa. A classy wine with balanced
tannins, juicy acidity and persistence on the finish. The lovely fruit
floods the mouth with goodness without weight, picking up charm and
intensity over time in the glass.
Score: 93.
Reviewed February 2, 2019
ARTICLE »
2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars Walnut Ridge Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 30 cases, $49.
Released August 2018.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Cherry, spice and rose petal aromas and
flavors in this middleweight offering have appealing freshness. The wine displays gossamer tannins and a
modest finish. The cherry fruit has a majestic and seductive quality.
Score: 92.
Reviewed February 2, 2019
ARTICLE »
2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars Zenith Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 30
cases, $49. Released August 2018.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose lacks fruit even over
time in the glass, offering only aromas of turned earth, ash and woodpile. Discretely concentrated in a mid
weight style with an assertive core of lush black cherry fruit. A little smoky, with sleek tannins and good
persistence on the finish.
Score: 91.
Reviewed February 2, 2019
ARTICLE »
2019 Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., pH 3.78, RS 0, 200 cases, $35. Harvest Brix 22º. Clones 115 and Pommard (37.5%), 777 (20%), and 667 (5%). Aged in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose leads with appealing aromas of well-spiced cherry, blueberry and leather. Light to mid-weight in style, driven by red cherry and red berry flavors with a shadow of oak. An easy, forward drinking wine with a short finish. Score: 89. Reviewed December 3, 2022 ARTICLE »
2019 Bluebird Hill Cellars Mom’s Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.2% alc., pH 3.53, RS 0, 200 cases, $54. Harvest Brix 22.1º. 50% Pommard and 25% each 667 and 777. Aged in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Oak-kissed cherry and blueberry aromas lead off. Cherry-driven in a mid-weight style with a thread of oak. Forward-drinking, with modest tannins, and a decent finish. A satisfying wine but not epic. Score: 91. Reviewed December 3, 2022 ARTICLE »
2019 Bluebird Hill Cellars South Block Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., pH 3.68, RS 0, 100 cases, $54. Harvest Brix 22.0º. 50% 667, 25% each 115 and 777. Aged in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry, dried herbs and graham lead to a middleweight-styled wine featuring red and blue berry fruit flavors with a touch of spice. Very welcoming with a silky mouthfeel and a noticeably long finish. The pick of the 2019 vintage litter. Score: 92. Reviewed December 3, 2022 ARTICLE »
2019 Bluebird Hill Cellars Zenith Vineyard Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., pH 3.61, RS 0, 100 cases, $54. Harvest Brix 22.2º. 50% Pommard and 50% 777. Aged in French oak barrels, 20% new. · Light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of red cherry, woodpile, and oak spice. A delicate wine with a lighterweighted gist of cherry fruit. Nicely balanced, with gentle tannins and a modest finish. Score: 90. Reviewed December 3, 2022 ARTICLE »
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.75, RS 0 g/L, 175 cases, $32. Harvest Brix 23.1º. 85% Bluebird Hill Vineyard, 15% Zenith Vineyard. Aged in French oak barrels, 18% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose offers aromas of cherry, espresso, graham and spice. Lighter in style, with a charming core of dark red cherry and berry fruits touched by flavors of red licorice and baking spices. Easygoing and easy to like, with modest tannins and a cherry-fueled finish. Score: 89. Reviewed March 21, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars Mom’s Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.60, 83 cases, $49. 100% Bluebird Hill Vineyard. Harvest Brix 21.3º-22.8º. Aged in French oak barrels, 10% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Shy aromas of black cherry and raspberry. More appealing on the palate with a middleweight charge of black cherry, blackberry, spice and floral flavors. The fruit definitely veers to the ripe side. Somewhat boldly flavored yet refined and polished with decent length on the finish. The nose continued to be reserved but pleasant when tasted the following day from a previously opened bottle. Score: 91. Reviewed March 21, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars South Block Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., pH 3.71, RS 0 g/ L, 75 cases, $49. 100% Bluebird Hill Vineyard. Harvest Brix 23.2º. Aged in French oak barrels, 10% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of dark red raspberry and cherry, earthy flora and sandalwood. Light to mid-weight in style, with an elegant array of dark red and purple fruits accented with spice and vanilla. Silky on the palate, integrated fine tannins, and overall a joyous drink. Score: 93. Reviewed March 21, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Bluebird Hill Cellars Zenith Vineyard Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.72, RS 0 g/L, 50 cases, $49. 100% Zenith Vineyard. Harvest Brix 22.3º. Aged in French oak barrels, 15% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Reticent aromas of cherry, baking spice and cocoa. An aldehyde-driven note of candied apple blows off with time.The light to mid-weight essence of fresh, dark red cherry is framed by modest tannins. The wine picks up richness of flavor by the following day when re-tasted from a previously opened bottle. Score: 90. Reviewed March 21, 2021 ARTICLE »
2017 Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Chardonnay
13.8% alc., 90 cases, $32. Released August 2018. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Plenty of aromas to explore including lemon oil, pineapple, white peach, pear and buttery biscuit. Slightly creamy in the mouth, with energetic flavors of lemon, grapefruit and apple. Excellent balance and beguiling appeal. Score: 93. Reviewed February 2, 2019 ARTICLE »
2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 110 cases, $32. Released May 2018. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Pleasing fragrance of black cherry, dark cranberry and toast. Light to mid weight in concentration, offering forward flavors of black cherry with a deft touch of toasty oak in the background. Elegant and straightforward, with minimal tannins and a cherries jubilee finish. Score: 89. Reviewed February 2, 2019 ARTICLE »
2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 30 cases, $49. Released August 2018. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Charming aromas of cherry, red berry, rose petal and dried herbs. Righteous fruit flavors of cherry and blueberry with hints of tutti-fruity, spice and cocoa. A classy wine with balanced tannins, juicy acidity and persistence on the finish. The lovely fruit floods the mouth with goodness without weight, picking up charm and intensity over time in the glass. Score: 93. Reviewed February 2, 2019 ARTICLE »
2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars Walnut Ridge Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 30 cases, $49. Released August 2018. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Cherry, spice and rose petal aromas and flavors in this middleweight offering have appealing freshness. The wine displays gossamer tannins and a modest finish. The cherry fruit has a majestic and seductive quality. Score: 92. Reviewed February 2, 2019 ARTICLE »
2016 Bluebird Hill Cellars Zenith Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 30 cases, $49. Released August 2018. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose lacks fruit even over time in the glass, offering only aromas of turned earth, ash and woodpile. Discretely concentrated in a mid weight style with an assertive core of lush black cherry fruit. A little smoky, with sleek tannins and good persistence on the finish. Score: 91. Reviewed February 2, 2019 ARTICLE »