The Quarella family has been farming this farm for a century. June 7th, 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of Bellview Farms. Winery opened its doors in 2000. Jim and Nancy Quarella, the founders of Bellview Winery, have been crafting fine estate wines exclusively from the grapes that are cultivated from their vineyards. Currently, Bellview has 40 acres of vineyards made up of 21 varieties of wine grapes and produces more than 8,000 cases of wine per year. Jim’s youngest son, Scott Quarella, will be the fifth generation of the Quarella family to tend to their estate. Located in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA, Bellview grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Blaufrankish, Chambourcin, Traminette, Cayuga, and Vidal Blanc.
Last fall I opened up a Bellview Chambourcin 2012. I had been cellaring it since 2013. The wine opened with dark stewed fruits. Raspberry and black cherry notes were wonderful. Hints of spices like thyme and black pepper. It's a medium bodied dry wine, but has a big mouth feel, with fruit that lingers a long time.
This wine begs for meat. Chicken, turkey, roast pork, even veal. Or a big styled pasta dish with a Bolognese sauce or other meat sauce. A big, lovely wine, with plenty of backbone and is good enough to lay down for a good 7-9 years!
Quality stuff. Terrific wine.