We invite you to enjoy an intimate and informal wine dinner with Winemaker Ben Casteel of Bethel Heights Vineyard in Salem, OR! Founded in 1977, Bethel Heights began as two small families united by their shared love of wine. Ted Casteel, Terry Casteel, and their partners Marilynn Webb and Pat Dudley abandoned the academic life and, together with Pat’s sister Barbara Dudley, bought 75 promising-looking acres northwest of Salem, with 14 acres of newly planted cuttings in the ground. For the first thirty years, Ted was responsible for managing the vineyards and Terry made the wine, while Pat and Marilyn shared responsibilities for marketing and business management. In 2005, Ben Casteel took over from his father as Winemaker at Bethel Heights, a position which he maintains to this day. Ben will join us at Gracie’s for a brief reception and four-course dinner prepared by Gracie’s Executive Chef Matt Varga, during which Ben will pour some of his most special wines that are not available anywhere but the winery!

This is an extraordinary opportunity for guests to engage with Ben and to experience extremely rare and incredibly unique wines from this iconic Willamette Valley winery. Our neighbor Eno Fine Wines will be on hand to accept orders for wines being poured at the dinner. Gracie’s Winemaker Series dinners are designed to be friendly, warm, and sociable affairs in which guests have the opportunity to share a meal with our favorite winemakers and discuss their wines, winemaking philosophy, backgrounds, and more. We love Ben for both the quality of his product and for the thoughtfulness and intentionality that he displays as a winemaker, and we’re delighted to be able to introduce you to these wines that hold such a special place in our hearts—and on our menu!