The Remarkable Wines of Bell Hill Vineyard with Owners & Winegrowers Sherwyn Veldhuizen and Marcel Giesen

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Sherwyn Veldhuizen and Marcel Giesen, the visionary winegrowers behind Bell Hill, one of New Zealand’s most distinctive producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. From a chance blind tasting that led Billy to discover their wines, to the couple’s deep Burgundian inspiration and painstaking work establishing Bell Hill on a former limestone quarry in North Canterbury, this conversation explores what makes their wines so compelling.

Sherwyn and Marcel reflect on their early days studying viticulture, their formative trips through Burgundy, and the long process of importing rootstocks that could thrive on Bell Hill’s high pH soils. They discuss the evolution of their vineyard—from their first plantings in 1997 to their recent experiments with extremely high-density vines—and share insights into single parcel bottlings, screwcap closures, cellar aging, and New Zealand’s growing reputation for world-class Chardonnay.

🎧 In this episode:
• The founding story of Bell Hill and its Burgundian inspiration
• How limestone soils and high-density planting shape wine expression
• The unique winemaking philosophy behind their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
• Why North Canterbury is one of New Zealand’s most unique wine growing regions
• Bell Hill’s evolving range, including rare single-vineyard releases
• Reflections on climate, vintage variation, and the future of New Zealand fine wine

This episode also includes a roundup of the week’s wine news: Napa’s cool summer and green harvesting risks, three producers to watch from an under-the-radar reds article, and why more sommeliers are ditching flutes in favor of white wine glasses for Champagne.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Vent Wine Podcast
00:38 Discovering Bell Hill Wines
01:59 Podcast Format Changes and Listener Feedback
03:55 Wine News: California's Cool Summer
05:51 Wine Recommendations: Hidden Gems
08:48 Champagne Glass Debate
10:43 Interview with Bell Hill Winemakers
25:30 Addressing Rootstock Issues
26:34 Introduction to Bell Hills Wines
27:36 Bell Hill's Unique Vineyard Practices
29:49 Challenges and Strategies in Wine Production
32:46 North Canterbury Wines
37:25 High-Density Planting Experiments
46:24 Winemaking Philosophy and Techniques
51:52 Current Vintages and Final Thoughts

📬 Want more? Share your feedback with Billy on Instagram @billygalanko_wine_nerd or by email at billy@thewinepod.com.

Follow, rate, and review the show to help spread the word—cheers!

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!