Bethel Heights Vineyard

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. The vineyard is planted on a south-facing hillside rising from 480 to 620 feet above sea level, with shallow well-drained soils of volcanic origin (Jory/Nekiah soil series). Of the fifty acres of vines planted at Bethel Heights between 1977 and 1979, more than 30 acres still remain on their own roots.

Under the direct care of Vineyard Manager Ted Casteel, their viticulture has been refined over twenty years to maximize the specific potential of each section of the vineyard for wine quality. The crop is held to 2.5 tons per acre or less, with intensive canopy management throughout the growing season to maximize flavor development.

Ted has been a leader in developing standards for sustainable viticulture in Oregon, and Bethel Heights' estate grown wines were among the first certified LIVE under those standards. Bethel Heights was also one of the first vineyards to be certified "Salmon Safe", by the Pacific Rivers Council, signifying our adherence to farming practices that help keep Oregon's streams and rivers clean.

VIDEO-Bethel Heights Vineyard with Marilyn Webb, August 2008 

Available Wines