News
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.
GREAT MENTION FOR JOHN BELL
Willis Hall winemaker, John Bell, was named one of 10 Washington Winemakers to Watch by Winefoot.com blogger, Duane Pemberton, one of the most followed and honest wine bloggers in the Pacific Northwest, and Sarah Bagdon, whose appreciation of wines of depth and character is unparalleled. Many thanks for the recognition, Duane and Sarah.
SUPERB INTERVIEW WITH JOHN BELL
Many thanks to Laura Christianson of Blogging Bistro for her terrific job of turning a rough interview into a polished piece for BellevueCN.com. Thanks for the e-ink, Laura!
What's Happening
THE LATEST...
THINGS CONTINUE TO LOOK UP for Willis Hall! Business at the Wines of Washington Tasting Room in Post Alley in Seattle, just a block east of the Pike Place Market, has been brisk, despite this being the non-tourist season. The ten-year-old cooperative Tasting Room boasts a significant local clientelle, and John is strongly involved in building Willis Hall wines into local favorites. Additionally, Willis Hall has engaged a small, specialty distributor in Chicago to distribute our wines in that area. The first order for Willis Hall wines was significant, and John expects good sales in this market that's severely underserved with Washington premium wines.
John continues to work overtime to get the Willis Hall brand established. As noted below, you'll find John pouring Willis Hall wines at a significant number of events around the area where loyal customers are created, one person at a time. There have been a couple of setbacks recently that John is working hard to correct. Recently, Willis Hall and A&B Imports terminated their relationship, leaving Willis Hall without hired distribution in the Puget Sound area. John is actively scrutinizing high quality distributors with which to partner to get our award-winning wines into retail wine shops, restaurants, and high-end grocery stores in the Puget Sound area. Also, the wine agent used by Willis Hall in the Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho area disappeared (unfortunately, along with a significant stash of Willis Hall wine), and John is actively looking to replace him in order to service this area with Willis Hall wines. Stay tuned for more on these activities.
Events
TASTE OF TULALIP
Next to Taste WA,
Taste of Tulalip is the biggest wine and food event in Washington. Sixty-five Washington wineries, as well as 20 Napa Valley wineries, 20 Oregon wineries, 20 French wineries, and 20 Italian wineries, will be present to showcase their top wines, all accompanied by incomparable food bites prepared by the multiple-award-winning culinary team from the Tulalip Resort Casino Spa. If ever there was a wine and food extravaganza to experience, this one is it! Willis Hall will be among the wineries attending and pouring wine for your vinous pleasure. Don't miss it!
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Tulalip Resort Casino Spa
- Saturday, November 10, 2012 - 1:30pm
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Taste of Tulalip
SEATTLE SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL
Willis Hall has been invited to pour wine at this year's Seattle Shorts Film Festival. C'mon out, and watch the best of the best short films and taste some great wine. You won't be disappointed in either!
- SIFF Film Center
- Saturday, November 10, 2012 - Time TBD
- seattleshorts@gmail.com
BEST OF THE NW ART FESTIVAL
Family Wineries of Washington State (FWWS) will again host the wine garden at the Best of the NW Art Festival, the largest art show in Washington. Co-sponsored by the Northwest Art Alliance, this event features over 300 artists and the FWWS wine garden. Come to the show to see AND BUY fabulous art in all different media as well as relax in the wine garden, where you'll taste fabulous wines from the best boutique wineries in Washington, including Willis Hall, while taking in a breath-taking view of Elliott Bay through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the wine garden. The holidays are coming soon, and the possibilities for fulfilling gift desires are nearly endless here. This not-to-miss event will certainly be memorable ... and FUN!
- Pier 91 Cruise Terminal
- Friday through Sunday, November 16-18, 2012 - 10:00am
- (206)525-5926
SIPPIN' AND SHOPPIN' IN SNOHOMISH
Visit the city of Snohomish in this extension of the Sunsets-in-Snohomish series of wine and shopping events designed to draw you to the historic downtown area to sip fine wines while familiarizing you with many of the unique and interesting shops in the area. Seven or eight upscale, boutique wineries, including Willis Hall, will be pouring samples of their fine wines at various shops along 1st Street. You check in at a central location, get a wine glass (or bring your own), and get tickets to exchange for wine samples. Additional tickets can be purchased, as well. It's a great way to find unique treasures in the stores and at the wineries' tables.
- Location TBD
- Saturday, December 8, 2012 - 5:00pm
- (360)282-3197