It’s always a great day to try new cocktail recipes, and these from Bells Up Winery doesn’t disappoint. And the sangria is to die for! It’s a unique sangria recipe using syrah and vermouth. What’s even better? Being friends with the owners of the winery so I can get first dibs on trying their new wines and cocktail recipes!
Introducing the Bellobang cocktail and sangria
Introducing the Bellobang Cocktail
When you put a talented winemaker and the ceo of a vermouth company together in the same room, there’s a chance you may end up with a new drink or two. And that’s exactly what happened when Bells Up winemaker Dave Specter and Interrobang CEO Carr Biggerstaff got together at Taste the Terroir, a wine pairings class taught by the director of the Oregon Wine Education center, Kerry McDaniel Boenisch. The two were presenting to the class, and before you know it, some experimenting began! And the Bellobang was born!
What is a Bellobang?
The Bellobang cocktail
This cocktail highlights the full-bodied plum and blackberry characteristics found in the Bells Up Syrah as well as showcases the sweet blackberry, rosemary, dark chocolate and coffee notes of the Vermouth.
The Bellobang cocktail highlights full-bodied plum and blackberry characteristics found in the Bells Up Syrah.
How to Make the signature Bellobang Cocktail
You take a wine and a vermouth created from outstanding Oregon wine grapes and combine them. To create the genuine article, you need:
- Bells Up 2014 Firebird Walla Walla AVA Syrah ,
- Interrobang Sweet Vermouth No. 47, and
- an orange.
To make the Bellobang cocktail, you simply take two parts Bells Up 2014 Firebird Walla Walla AVA Syrah and one part Interrobang Sweet Vermouth No. 47. Mix and simply garnish with an orange slice. Voila!
The Bellobang Sangria is Great for Entertaining
Bellobang Sangria
For entertaining, particularly in the summertime, making a pitcher or two of sangria may be easier for you than making individual cocktails. And that’s why you will love the Bellobang sangria.
Bellobang Sangria is perfect for entertaining.
The Recipe
As you see in the cocktail to make Bellobang sangria, you need:
- Bells Up Firebird Walla Walla AVA Syrah,
- Interrobang Sweet Vermouth No. 47,
- Simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water brought to a boil for 3 minutes and cooled),
- 1-2 large oranges sliced and quartered,
- Club Soda, chilled, and
- Ice.
In a carafe or pitcher, mix the syrah, vermouth, syrup and oranges and chill overnight. If you can’t chill overnight, at least 6 hours in the freezer will do.
To serve, pour over ice mixing one part sangria to one part club soda. Serve and enjoy! It’s that simple!
About Bells Up Winery
Bells Up composes handcrafted, classically styled Oregon Pinot Noir with grapes sourced primarily from micro-growers on the northern side of the Willamette Valley. It also offers a small choice of other Oregon-grown and produced varietals. As one of Newberg’s newest micro-boutique wineries—making approximately 400 cases annually—the winery is always open by appointment.
The name “Bells Up” is a reference to a dramatic moment in classical music where the composer instructs French horn players to lift the bells of their instruments up and project their sound with greatest intensity. Specter, a French horn player who performed in bands and symphonic groups throughout high school and college, says the winery is his “Bells Up” moment.
About Interrobang
Interrobang designs and produces premium Sweet and White vermouths, handcrafted from old-world recipes. Made with local Pacific Northwest wine grapes and fortified with Clear Creek Brandy, the vermouths are the result of carefully selected botanicals and production processes that yield memorable aromatics and flavors.
Save the Date for Labor Day Weekend at Bells Up
Tasting Room at Bells Up Winery
Bells Up will be open to the public Labor Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday (September 3-4, 2016). The winery’s estate tasting room will be open from noon to 4:00 pm each day.
Bells Up Winery will be open to the public Labor Day Weekend.
Guests will enjoy tastings of five of Bells Up Winery’s handcrafted wines, paired with light fare and spectacular views from the tasting room. During the open house, owner and winemaker David Specter will pour:
- 2014 Rhapsody Pinot Blanc
- 2015 Prelude Rose of Pinot Noir
- 2013 and 2014 Titan Pinot Noirs
- 2014 Firebird Syrah
Located in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, Bells Up Winery is housed in a recently renovated pole barn at 27895 NE Bell Road at the intersection of Zimri Drive. Tastings are $15 per person, deducted from a $75 purchase. Members of Bells Up’s Fanfare Club enjoy complimentary tastings throughout the event.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or at 503.537.1328.
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