|
WILLIS HALL WINEMAKER, JOHN BELL, HONORED
WILLIS HALL winemaker, John Bell, was honored by Seattle Magazine in their inaugural Washington Wine Awards. John was named Best New Winemaker in Washington. Check out the April 2006 issue of the magazine for details.
JOHN BELL HONORED AGAIN
In the March 7-13, 2007, issue of Seattle Weekly, Roger Downey wrote, 'It's no surprise when John Bell fields half a dozen knockout reds from his 2003 Willis Hall collection; Bell is a master winemaker who's mentored a whole generation of Washington producers.' Thanks, Roger. You do Willis Hall and John Bell honor.
WILLIS HALL IN THE NEWS
Many thanks to Braiden Rex-Johnson for her article in the November 9, 2008, issue of Pacific NW, The Seattle Times Sunday Magazine, "Six Savvy Young Wineries to Watch," in which Willis Hall is profiled.
GREGUTT LIKES OUR WINES, TOO!!
In the April 11, 2007, issue of The Seattle Times, wine writer, Paul Gregutt, wrote a very complimentary column on Willis Hall and winemaker John Bell. Paul also reviewed several of our wines and wrote very favorable comments on them. Thanks, Paul!
JOHN BELL ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Read what John Bell has to say about entrepreneurship in Pat Sisneros' excellent column in the December 7, 2009, issue of The Everett Herald. Thanks, Pat.
THE LATEST...
WHILE the Vintage 2009 wines rest in their tanks and barrels, John is not doing any resting at all. He is out in retail land trying to get the word out about Willis Hall. John was honored to have been invited to showcase the 2005 Cuvee Reserve at the annual Taste WA Winemaker Dinner at the Washington Athletic Club. Paired with sablefish(!) by Chef Peter Birk from Ray's Boathouse, the pairing was the hit of the dinner. (Keep your eye out for an announcement of a Willis Hall winemaker dinner at Ray's Boathouse in the near future.) The Taste WA Grand Tasting the following day was great for business during the trade portion and great for recognition during the public tasting. Willis Hall has developed a loyal and growing following.
Local sales continue to increase as the Willis Hall brand becomes more and more known. John is jazzed to report that the first few cases of Willis Hall wine have been exported to Vietnam. This has the potential to blossom in the future. Other out-of-state and international export opportunities are being worked, too. A potential opportunity to participate in a Seattle-based cooperative tasting room also is being discussed. Stay tuned for announcements soon.
The distributor for Willis Hall wines, Small Lot Co-Op, continues to represent the brand in restaurants and in retail stores in the Puget Sound area. John continues to make personal appearances and marketing/sales calls to get the Willis Hall name out into retail land. Be sure to frequently visit the EVENTS section below for updates on exciting wine events where Willis Hall wines will be featured.
Events
PRIVATE EVENT
John has been requested to pour Willis Hall wines at a private event in a lovely home on Whidbey Island. This is an opportunity for a few wine enthusiasts to experience the award-winning wines in a relaxed, private setting with paired food bites. John anticipates a great reception for the wines and perhaps a few new wine club memberships.
- Private Event
- Saturday, August 21, 2010
- By Invitation Only
SOUTH LAKE UNION BLOCK PARTY
Join John Bell and a number of other winemakers at the South Lake Union Block Party, the first event of the year in the Vulcan Discover Wine series. Wines from Willis Hall and other artisanal wineries will be showcased at this event whose proceeds support the Junior League of Seattle and Immanuel Community Services. Come see the renewal of the South Lake Union community and celebrate with your neighbors.
- Vulcan South Lake Union Discovery Center
- Friday, August, 13, 2010 - 5:00pm
- (206)342-5903
AUCTION OF WASHINGTON WINES PICNIC
John Bell will again pour Willis Hall wines for the enjoyment of event attendees at this annual outdoor event, the purpose of which is to raise funds for uncompensated care at Seattle Children's Hospital and for the Washington Wine Education Foundation. This event precedes the annual gala dinner and other winemaker events held the following few days. Come out into the sunshine and enjoy some of Washington's finest wines and food bites from popular restaurants while providing support for two very worthy charities.
- Chateau Ste. Michelle
- Thursday, August 19, 2010 - 4:00pm
- Auction of WA Wines PICNIC
PRIVATE EVENT
John has been requested to pour Willis Hall wines at a private event in a lovely home on Whidbey Island. This is an opportunity for a few wine enthusiasts to experience the award-winning wines in a relaxed, private setting with paired food bites. John anticipates a great reception for the wines and perhaps a few new wine club memberships.
- Private Event
- Saturday, August 21, 2010
- By Invitation Only
PRIVATE DINNER
In his active role as a member of the board of directors of the Pacific NW Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food (AIWF), John donates his time and Willis Hall wines as auction items to support the educational mission of AIWF, namely the annual awarding of several scholarships to worthy culinary and enology students in WA colleges. This private dinner for four is one such auction item. The dinner will be hosted by Kit at her lovely home on Lake Union, and the food will be prepared by professionally-trained chef Brian Steinmetz, who also serves as the chapter's chairman when he is not busy managing Boeing's 767 program. This will be a total blow-out dinner with no holds barred! NO ONE will leave hungry or thirsty!
- Private Dinner
- Saturday, August 28, 2010
- By Invitation Only
FIRST FRIDAY WINE POURING
John makes a repeat appearance at one of his favorite wine shops in their series of wine pourings on the first Friday of each month. Greenbank Farm Wine Shop features and supports local wineries, including Willis Hall, from the nearby Puget Sound region. Willis Hall wines always are well-received here, and John enjoys the relaxed feeling of Whidbey Island along with the warmth of the shop's staff. Join us for a fun, laid-back evening of wine tasting before the annual madness of harvest and crush sets in.
- Greenbank Farm
- Friday, September 3, 2010 - 5:00pm
- (360)678-7700
SHOES & SIPS
John will again pour Willis Hall wines at this very fun annual event to support Ryther Child Center. Want to shop for interesting shoes while sipping fine wines? Then this is the event for you! Don't miss it!
- Grand Hyatt Seattle
- Sunday, October 3, 2010 - 4:00pm
- (425)865-9803
VULCAN REAL ESTATE PRIVATE EVENT SERIES
John will pour Willis Hall wines in this series of private events organized by Vulcan Real Estate for professionals and community members in the South Lake Union area. Other winemakers will join John in these events.
- Venue TBD
- Thursday, October 7, 2010 - 5:00pm
- By Invitation
VULCAN REAL ESTATE PRIVATE EVENT SERIES
John will pour Willis Hall wines in this series of private events organized by Vulcan Real Estate for professionals and community members in the South Lake Union area. Other winemakers will join John in these events.
- Venue TBD
- Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 5:00pm
- By Invitation
VULCAN REAL ESTATE PRIVATE EVENT SERIES
John will pour Willis Hall wines in this series of private events organized by Vulcan Real Estate for professionals and community members in the South Lake Union area. Other winemakers will join John in these events.
- Venue TBD
- Thursday, October 21, 2010 - 5:00pm
- By Invitation
TASTE OF TULALIP
Along with 30 or more of his winemaker buddies, John will again participate in this fun wine event held nearly in his back yard. Come experience some of the best wines WA has to offer in a four-star venue with service second to none. The Tulalip Resort Casino chefs and culinary staffs will provide the palate-pleasing noshes again to complement your wine sips. Next to Taste WA Seattle, this is the best mullti-winery event of the year. Check it out!
- Tulalip Resort Casino
- Saturday, November 13, 2010 - Time TBD
- (360)716-1239
GUSTO! 2010
Willis Hall wines will again be poured at this annual event to support the Everett Community College Foundation. Funds generated at this event are used to support scholarships and operations at Everett Community College. Taste wines from about 20 or so wineries, meet some of the winemakers, and nosh on food bites from popular local restaurants.
- Everett Comcast Arena
- Saturday, November 13, 2010 - 6:30pm
- (425)388-9948
NEW YEARS EVE WINEMAKER DINNER
Now a tradition for a number of couples, this nearly annual celebratory event marks the ringing out of the old year and the ringing in of the new. Lisa and Bob Watkins, owners/proprietors of Arlington's River Rock Inn, put on a really fabulous dinner with each course exquisitely paired with Willis Hall wines, all poured by John Bell. It's hard to imagine a more comfortable venue and a more welcoming and attentive couple than Lisa and Bob Watkins in their River Rock Inn B&B in nearby Arlington. If you wnat to leave the old cares and worries behind and embrace the possibilities of a fresh year, this is the place and the event with which to do it! Event participation is severely limited, so don't wait 'til December to sign up for this dinner, or you'll likely be disappointed.
- River Rock Inn
- Friday, December 31, 2010 - Time TBD
- (360)403-7014
|