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.

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!

THE LATEST...
In the winery the white and rosé wines are resting in their tanks, and bottling should commence by about late May. Bottling is late this year due to a nasty head-cold that prevented John from being able to taste or smell anything for a few weeks. Thanks to antibiotics, John is back on track and enjoying wine and food again. Better living through chemistry!

Major changes and additions in the distribution of Willis Hall wines have occurred over the past few months. Western Washington distribution is now being handled by Click Wholesale Distributing. John already has done five “ride-withs” with Click sales team members, and the sales success rate has been a phenomenal 85%-90%! On perhaps an even more exciting note, Willis Hall wines are now being distributed outside Washington state. John was put in contact with a new distributor in NY state who, after tasting Willis Hall wine samples, purchased a whole palette for distribution in Upstate NY as well as in New York City. Another new distributor in Tempe contacted John about distribution in Arizona. After tasting Willis Hall wines at Taste Washington this year, this distributor purchased half a palette for distribution in the Phoenix/Scottsdale/Glendale/Tempe area. John also has met with the vice-president of a wine agency in Quebec, Canada, who, after tasting Willis Hall wines, has tendered three of them to the Quebec SAQ for purchase. Though John views this as a long shot, due to the number of wines being tendered for this very limited market, it could result in major wine sales. And lastly, at Taste Washington John met a small distributor from Chicago, who specializes in Northwest wines, and is in discussions regarding distribution in the greater Chicago are. Stay tuned for updates on these exciting activities.

John continues to make personal appearances and marketing/sales calls to get the Willis Hall name out into retail land. In the meantime, if you don’t find Willis Hall wines in your favorite retail outlet, please ask them to contact Click Wholesale Distributing or the winery directly.

Be sure to frequently visit the EVENTS section below for updates on exciting wine events where Willis Hall wines will be featured.

AIWF WASHINGTON SYRAH WINEMAKERS DINNER
This annual event, held to support AIWF's mission of providing scholarships for Washington culinary and enology students, was THE most successful in its seven-year history. Not only were the six winemakers in top form as they talked about their Syrahs, but bidding in the short auction was lively and very generous. Several scholarships will be generated from the funds raised at this event. Many thanks to all who attended this April 13th event at El Gaucho and especially to those who bid on auction items.

SEXY SYRAH
On April 16th Willis Hall winemaker, John Bell, participated again in this annual roundup and pouring of fabulous Washington Syrahs to benefit the activities at Fare Start. This event is always popular, and Willis Hall Syrahs got great reviews from those in attendance. Everybody left with happy, purple smiles.

WINE TASTING
Join Willis Hall winemaker John Bell at one of the hippest wine bars around, Vino Bella in Issaquah, for a tasting of a flight of Willis Hall wines. Enjoy the delightful tapas prepared by the kitchen while you're there, too.
- Vino Bella
- Thursday, May 8, 2008 - 5:00pm
- (425)391-1424

TOAST TO THE NORTHWEST
Come on out to enjoy wines and beers from over 40 Northwest wineries, including Willis Hall, and breweries as well as delicious cheeses, chocolates, and other food bites, all the while supporting the Husky Marching Band. Winemaker John Bell will be there to pour Willis Hall wines for event attendees. All wines poured at this event will be available for purchase, too. This third annual event promises to be even better than it's predecessors, so don't you dare miss it!
- Dempsey Indoor Practice Facility at U of W
- Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 3:00pm
- Toast to the Northwest

WINEMAKING DECONSTRUCTED
Join Willis Hall winemaker John bell in this educational dialog about the fundamentals of winemaking. A follow-on to John's earlier educational dialog on how to taste wines, this session explains, in layman's language, how wine is made and how the decisions made by the winemaker affect the final bottled wines. Selections of Willis Hall wines will be poured to illustrate various talking points, and light food bites will be available to cleanse your palate. If you ever were curious about how the magical substance called wine is made, this is the class to attend.
- 2nd Street Wine Shop
- Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 5:00pm
- (360)221-3121

BEGINNERS GUIDE TO WASHINGTON WINES
Wine Educator Dieter Schafer, one of the true gentlemen of the wine industry, is again teaching a 9-hour, 3-Tuesday course on Washington wines. As before, Willis Hall winemaker, John Bell, will teach the fundamentals of winemaking at the second of these sessions. This is a very affordable series of classes and provides fundamental education about local wines and the industry that surrounds them.
- South Seattle Community College
- Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 6:00pm
- (206)764-5339

SIP FOR A CURE
Willis Hall will be among two dozen featured wineries and breweries at this third annual event to raise money to fund breast cancer research. Come on out and enjoy your favorite wine and brew along with delicious BBQ noshes from the grill. Winemaker John Bell will be there to pour a selection of Willis Hall wines, all of which you can purchase to take home from the event.
- Shilshole Bay Beach Club
- Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 6:30pm
- Sip for a Cure

DINO WINE-OH!
Willis Hall winemaker John Bell will be among a few winemakers pouring wine at this annual event to support the educational activities of the Pacific Science Center. This highly interesting and entertaining event will be held among the animatronic dinosaurs in the Pacific Science Center's current exhibit. The wine is sure to please. Just watch where you step!
- Pacific Science Center
- Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 6:00pm
- (206)443-3611

ART INSTITUTE OF SEATTLE ANNIVERSARY
Celebrate the 12th anniversary of the International Culinary School at the Art Institute of Seattle at a luncheon in its teaching dining room, Portfolio Restaurant. A discount of 25% will be applied to the food portion of your meal, and your meal will be accompanied with a glass of Willis Hall wine. Along with your meal you will also enjoy the breathtaking view of the Seattle waterfront and Elliott Bay.
- Art Institute of Seattle's Portfolio Restaurant
- Thursday, May 22, 2008 - Noon
- (206)239-2363

WINE TASTING
Willis Hall winemaker John Bell has been invited back to pour wine for the residents of Providence Point in Issaquah. This event is put on by the local Kiwanis Club and supports their charitable activities.
- Providence Point in Issaquah
- Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 4:00pm
- Contact Info TBD

WASHINGTON WINE HIGHWAY
For the third year, Willis Hall winemaker John Bell will pour Willis Hall wines for attendees of this major event featuring wineries from every wine region in Washington state. Come out and enjoy a weekend of wine, restaurants, travel, and leisure at one of the most relaxing venues in the greater Seattle area. Proceeds from the event support the activities of the Washington Wine Industry Foundation.
- Chateau Ste. Michelle
- Saturday & Sunday, May 24 & 25, 2008 - Noon
- Washington Wine Highway

WINERY TOUR
John Bell will host a tour of Willis Hall winery for a local group of ASME engineers. Being an engineer himself, John is particularly looking forward to this fun event.
- Willis Hall
- Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 5:30pm
- Private Event

EASTSIDE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AUCTION
Willis Hall will again be one of four wineries supporting this annual auction. Winemaker John Bell will be pouring Willis Hall wines during the silent auction portion of the program. All proceeds of this auction support the various programs to provide help to those who are victims of domestic violence.
- Meydenbauer Center (Bellevue)
- Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 5:00pm
- (425)562-8840, ext. 239

AIWF COPPER RIVER SALMON DINNER
Willis Hall winemaker John Bell will be one of five winemakers featured at this annual dinner, held this year again at Steelhead Diner in Seattle. This is one of the very best Copper River Salmon dinners in the area due primarily to the outstanding talents of Chef Kevin Davis as well as the wonderful Washington wines paired with the food courses. All proceeds from this dinner support the AIWF Pacific NW Chapter's enology and culinary scholarships for Washington students. You really do NOT want to miss this dinner!!
- Steelhead Diner
- Sunday, June 1, 2008 - 6:00pm
- (425)957-0611

WINE POURING
Join Willis Hall winemaker John Bell as he pours Willis Hall wines at a new wine shop in Issaquah. One of a rapidly growing number of shops in this popular chain, the Issaquah Wine Styles is run by a delightful couple, Dan and Jennifer Cunningham. Stop by and check out this interesting concept while enjoying tastes of Willis Hall wines.
- Wine Styles (Issaquah)
- Friday, June 20, 2008 - 6:00pm
- (425)837-8884

WINE POURING
Willis Hall winemaker John Bell will be pouring a variety of Willis Hall wines at this popular Mercer Island wine location, Cellar 46°. It's a combination bistro, restaurant, wine bar, wine shop, and wine storage facility, and the folks there really know their wines. Stop by, check out the venue, have some great food, and sip a little Willis Hall wine.
- Cellar 46°
- Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 3:00pm
- (206)407-3016

WINERY TOUR
Willis Hall winemaker John Bell will host a winery tour for a group of folks who bid on and won this event at auction. Gourmet noshes will be prepared by CIA-trained, AIWF Pacific NW Chapter Chairman Brian Steinmetz. John and Brian are really looking forward to this fun event!
- Willis Hall
- Sunday, June 29, 2008 - Time TBD
- Private Event

LOGANBERRY FESTIVAL
Willis Hall winemaker John Bell will pour Willis Hall wines again at this annual festival at beautiful Greenbank Farm on Whidbey Island. Willis Hall wines will also be for sale at this event. The proceeds from this weekend-long event support the Greenbank Farm, which is held in public trust, and its activities.
- Greeenbank Farm
- Saturday & Sunday, July 26 & 27, 2008, 10:00am
- (360)678-7700

AUCTION OF WASHINGTON WINES - PICNIC
Willis Hall winemaker John Bell will again pour Willis Hall wines at this fun, outdoor event as part of the Auction of Washington Wines. Proceeds of the overall event support the needs of uncompensated care at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center as well as the Washington Wine Education Foundation.
- Chateau Ste. Michelle
- Thursday, August 14, 2008 - 5:00pm
- Auction of Washington Wines

WINE POURING
Join Willis Hall winemaker John Bell as he makes a long-awaited return performance at The Wine Alley in Renton. John will pour a variety of Willis Hall wines that will showcase the breadth of interesting wines available from the winery.
- The Wine Alley
- Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 5:00pm
- (425)271-4501

WINEMAKER DINNER
New Years Eve winemaker dinners have become a tradition for Willis Hall winemaker John Bell, and they are held at the gorgeous River Rock Inn in Arlington. Limited to 10 or 12 people, these spectacular wine and food events are eclipsed only by the breathtaking ambiance of this high-end B&B owned and operated by Lisa and Bob Watkins. Chef Lisa prepares all the food with help from Sous Chef and chief-of-everything-else Bob. Join us for another memorable evening of entertainment as we welcome the new year. Reservations are very limited, so call NOW!!
- River Rock Inn
- Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 6:00pm
- (360)403-7014