Planted
between 1977 and 1979, Bethel Heights was one of the first vineyards in the Eola
Hills, a chain of hills in the center of Oregon's Willamette Valley. The estate
winery was established in 1984 and currently produces 10,000 cases of wine annually,
most of which still comes from the 50 acre estate vineyard. Bethel Heights specializes
in Pinot noir, but also produces Chardonnay, Pinot gris and Pinot blanc.
Since 1978 Bethel Heights has been owned and operated by a family consortium of
five variously related partners: twin brothers Terry Casteel and Ted Casteel,
Marilyn Webb (married to Terry), and sisters Pat Dudley (married to Ted) and Barbara
Dudley. In the beginning before we made wine everyone worked in the vineyard.
The establishment of the winery in 1984 ushered in a new division of
labor which prevails to this day except during crush, when we revert to a more
primitive state.
Half of the original planting, about 23 acres, was planted to Pinot noir. Several
clones were included to enhance the complexity of the wines. An additional five
acres of Pinot noir have been added since 1994, utilizing clones recently made
available from Burgundy.