OLCC discovers illegal winery claiming to be made in the Applegate Valley

Back in November an issue with a suspicious wine found at a local supermarket was brought to my attention. We polled our facebook fans to learn more information (read the feed below- I removed names and profile pictures) and recently learned the OLCC and TTB have published a news release of the investigation.

Southern Oregon Wine

Does anyone know about this new winery in Southern Oregon? I have so many questions... http://bellaleahvineyards.com/

Organic wine, Bella Leah Vineyards Jacksonville, OR Home

bellaleahvineyards.com

Bella Leah Vineyards produces premium wines made from organically grown grapes. Bio-Dynamic growing techniques seperates our grapes from the rest...

1,523 Impressions · 1.12% Feedback

November 29, 2010 at 5:47pm ·  ·  · Share · Promote

• 
  

  
  
• • 
    

     Could also be under Hice Cellars at this website: http://www.hicecellars.com/home.html
    

    November 29, 2010 at 5:59pm · 
  • If they are organic or biodynamic they will be listed as certified by OTCO, Demeter, Stellar, or some other USDA designated certifiers....otherwise they have no ability to say so.
    

    November 29, 2010 at 6:18pm · 
  • they have a corporation with State of Oregon Corp Div. For the address listed with the Corp Division, there was an inquiry for a winery/tasting room with JC, but no land use approval for the same. It looks like they are getting a farm tax deferal. Otherwise - never heard of the label or seen it at any of the other resellers/retailers myself.
    

    November 29, 2010 at 6:52pm · 
  • 
    

    I'm confused of the use organic and/or biodynamic because there isn't any Cabernet in the Applegate that's certified.
    

    November 29, 2010 at 7:13pm · 
  • Friendliest tasting room? No address or contact info makes it a bit tough to come to.
    

    November 29, 2010 at 7:30pm · 
  • 
    
  • The web site claimed the 2008 Cab Sauv had 30 months in barrel and 4 more in bottle. That's hard to do unless they picked in January 2008....
    

    November 29, 2010 at 8:17pm · 
  • 
    
  • Hice Cellars is/was a Paso Robles winery...Do you think perhaps their comments regarding award-winning and the friendliest tasting room relates to their California operation?
    

    November 29, 2010 at 8:31pm ·  ·  1 person
  • How do you spell aromatic?
    

    November 29, 2010 at 8:43pm ·  ·  1 person
  • they are not listed by demeter. The only biodynamic certifier. No listing by otco or stellar for organic. There are others so they need to show that to use the word organic.
    

    November 29, 2010 at 8:58pm · 
  • 
    
  • Whether they are unintended errors or intentionally used for sales points, I appreciate the rallying to bring truth to the matter to protect the region/growing practices/production.
    

    November 29, 2010 at 9:59pm · 
  • 
    

    Their Wine label states (not quoted perfectly) that their wines were made without the use of any animal byproducts.
    

    November 30, 2010 at 5:05pm · 
  • 
    

    It probably just refers to the fining and filtration process because in order to be a vegan wine you can't filter with egg whites or fish bladders.
    

    November 30, 2010 at 9:55pm · 

OLCC discovers illegal winery claiming to be made in Applegate Valley

This according to a press release from the OLCC:
For more information, contact Christie Scott (503) 872-5002

(Jacksonville, Ore) A Jacksonville man received four criminal citations for operating an illegal winery on February 3. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission issued tickets to Eric Hice, owner of Bella Leah Wine for the sale of alcohol without a license, importing liquor without a license, failure to pay privilege tax, and use of a misleading mark or label.

The OLCC’s investigation was in conjunction with the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Hice also faces possible federal charges from the TTB.

Hice’s California-made wine was sold under a false label claiming it was manufactured in the Applegate Valley. Several cases of the wine were retailed in Jacksonville.

“It only costs $250 to get a winery license in Oregon,” says Jeff Jett, Medford Regional Manager. “If only this individual had applied for a license, we might have been able to get him up and running legally. Unfortunately, now he’s facing criminal charges.”

“Oregonians feel good about buying local products,” says Jett. “We have many great Southern Oregon wineries who sell their products legally.”