Bethel Heights Vineyard

Two families established Bethel Heights Vineyard in 1977.  It was one of the first vineyards planted in the Eola Hills northwest of Salem. Twin brothers Ted and Terry Casteel and their partners Pat Dudley and Marilyn Webb detoured into winemaking after trying their hands at other careers and interests. Ted and Pat were graduate students doing historical research in France when they discovered the joys of wine. Marilyn and Terry were practicing therapists in Seattle when they started drinking Burgundy and became wine enthusiasts. Reunited by their newfound interest in wine, in 1977 the two families, together with Pat's sister Barbara Dudley, bought 75 promising looking acres and started a new life.

For the first thirty years Ted was responsible for the vineyards and Terry made the wine. Pat and Marilyn shared responsibility for marketing and business.  Recently the Bethel Heights team has expanded to include second generation leadership and ownership, bringing youthful energy, talent and passion into the blend. The new additions to the team are Ben and Jon Casteel (Terry and Marilyn's sons) and Mimi and Jessie Casteel (Ted and Pat's daughters), who all grew up at Bethel Heights then took off in various directions before finding their way back home.

When we arrived in Oregon in 1977 there were thirty-four wineries and 1,100 vineyard acres planted.    Most people didn’t know what Pinot noir was. Those who did know what it was laughed at the crazies who believed that the Willamette Valley could become the home of Pinot noir wines to rival the best of Burgundy.   In 1980 we sold our first crop of Pinot noir from Bethel Heights Vineyard for $700 a ton, and in 1984 when we produced our first wine, $7 a bottle was considered a pretty uppity price for Pinot noir.

Now there are three hundred seventy Oregon wineries and 17,400 vineyard acres planted in the state, and the Willamette Valley is recognized around the world as the birthplace of new world Pinot Noir.   These days premium Pinot noir grapes go for $3500 a ton or more, and premium Pinot noir wines can sell for over $75 a bottle.

When we arrived here in 1977 we found a small community of pioneers who shared a common experience of beginning on very low budgets, buying used equipment, working other jobs to make ends meet, and trying to figure out how to grow world-class wines on rocky hillsides that no one else wanted to farm.  They were willing to share everything they knew with us newcomers.  Their spirit was contagious.

What brought us so far in one generation is that remarkable spirit of camaraderie and collaboration that has characterized the Oregon wine community from the beginning, and that is now being passed along to a new generation of winemakers. 

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These are authentic stories from real farmers.  Any editorial content does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Agri-Business Council of Oregon or our members.