Bethel Heights
Summary
Bethel Heights is a pioneering family winery established in 1977 in Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills AVA, farming 59 acres of primarily Pinot Noir vineyards on south-facing slopes with dual soil profiles and cooling influences from the Van Duzer Corridor. Their winemaking balances minimal intervention with technical precision through partial whole-cluster fermentation and native yeasts, while maintaining multi-generational stewardship and sustainable practices that have earned LIVE and Salmon Safe certifications since 1999.
Heritage & Leadership
Bethel Heights Vineyard was established in 1977 in the Eola-Amity Hills of Oregon's Willamette Valley. The winery was founded by two families—brothers Ted and Terry Casteel, and their wives Pat Dudley and Marilyn Webb—who purchased an existing 75-acre farm with 14 acres of newly planted vineyards. The founding partners expanded the original plantings between 1977 and 1979, adding 36 acres of vines, primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
In 2005, Bethel Heights transitioned to second-generation leadership when cousins Ben Casteel and Mimi Casteel took the helm of winemaking and vineyard management, respectively. Ben Casteel, son of Terry Casteel and Marilyn Webb, became winemaker after working alongside his father for several vintages. The winery remains family-owned and operated, with the second generation now fully directing operations. In 2009, the families formed a new company, Bethel Heights Vineyard, Inc., to secure the long-term future of the estate.
Vineyards & Wines
Bethel Heights encompasses 103 total acres in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, with 59 acres under vine. The estate vineyard sits on a south-facing slope between 480 and 620 feet in elevation. The vineyard is planted primarily to Pinot Noir (48 acres) with additional plantings of Chardonnay (7 acres), Grüner Veltliner (2 acres), and small amounts of other varieties.
The estate features two distinct soil types: volcanic basalt-derived soils (Jory and Nekia) on the upper slopes, and marine sedimentary soils (Woodburn) on the lower elevation sections. This soil diversity contributes to the complexity of the wines and allows for distinct single-block bottlings. The original vines planted in 1977 continue to produce fruit for the winery's "Estate" and block-designated wines, including their flagship "Flat Block" and "Southeast Block" Pinot Noirs.
In 2000, Bethel Heights planted Justice Vineyard, a 25-acre adjacent site with similar elevation and exposure but different soil composition. The estate's position in the direct path of marine winds flowing through the Van Duzer Corridor creates a distinctive microclimate with cooling afternoon breezes that extend the growing season and contribute to the wines' structure and acidity.
Philosophy & Practice
Bethel Heights follows a minimal intervention approach to winemaking while maintaining precise technical standards. For Pinot Noir, the winery employs a combination of traditional and modern techniques, including partial whole-cluster fermentation (15-30% depending on the vineyard block and vintage), native yeast fermentations, and aging in French oak barrels (approximately 30% new oak for single-vineyard wines).
The estate has been certified sustainable by LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon Safe since 1999. These certifications verify the winery's commitment to environmentally and socially responsible winegrowing practices. Vineyard management emphasizes biodiversity, with permanent cover crops between rows, habitat corridors, and the elimination of synthetic inputs.
Bethel Heights practices selective harvesting, with multiple passes through the vineyard to ensure optimal ripeness. In the winery, gentle handling techniques include gravity flow movements where possible and minimal pumping. Chardonnay undergoes whole-cluster pressing followed by barrel fermentation with native yeasts and full malolactic fermentation. The winery's approach balances respect for traditional methods with adaptations suited to their specific terroir, resulting in wines that express the distinctive characteristics of their Eola-Amity Hills location.