Five Decades of Eola-Amity Excellence
Bethel Heights has been at the center of this story from the beginning. When Terry and Marilyn Casteel, along with Ted and Pat Dudley, first discovered the old, abandoned Bethel Heights walnut grove in 1977, they were captivated by its natural beauty — gentle slopes bathed in sunlight, pure spring water winding through a shaded ravine, and a landscape alive with wildlife. They left their old lives behind, brought their families north, and planted vines with the hope of crafting wines that honored the vitality of the land they loved.
Nearly fifty years later, Bethel Heights remains family-owned, and the third generation is now learning the vineyards, preparing to guide them into the next era. What began as a leap of faith has become one of the great legacies of Oregon wine; a model of thoughtful stewardship and quiet excellence.
The Eola-Amity Hills are one of the most important nested AVA within Oregon’s Willamette Valley, containing not just Bethel Heights but also the Temperance Hill and Xena Crown vineyards among many other famous locations. The cool Pacific breezes that funnel through the Van Duzer Corridor, the shallow volcanic soils, and the rolling south-facing slopes all come together to create wines of tension, depth, and unmistakable place. Bethel Heights was an integral part of the creation of the AVA as one of the forerunners and early adopters of the idea of creating fine wine in the Willamette Valley.
The 2022 Bethel Heights ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir is an excellent example of the Eola-Amity Hills: bright red fruit framed by fine tannins, earthy depth, and the cool precision that defines this windswept corner of the Willamette Valley. It is a wine rooted in history and family, and one that beautifully reflects the landscape that first captured their hearts nearly half a century ago.
94 Points, Decanter
A delightful wine that punches so far above its price point. Black tea aromatics are married to freshly churned topsoil, dried lavender and sun-baked blackberries. The palate is distinguished in this well-priced wine. Chinese five spice, black tea and white pepper make room for ripe black bramble fruits and red plum skin. This wine is distinguished and complex, so refreshing to see such deference paid to a wine priced under $45.
Wine Enthusiast Notes
What an impressive Pinot Noir value. The wine has a ripe black-cherry aroma to go along with a wisp of loamy soil. The fruit flavors are a mix of dark raspberry, tart and tangy cranberry and orange zest. The wine feels rich and full on the palate, with sturdy tannins.