B & E Vineyard & Winery

B & E Vineyard & Winery is a family-owned and operated winery and working ranch located in Creston, California, in the Paso Robles wine region. The operation traces its roots to 1952, when Doc Elliott — the "E" in B&E — started a racing operation of running Quarter Horses that over the years produced several world champions. In 1969 the family, joined by the "B" (Bello), expanded into farming alfalfa and oat hay alongside Registered Quarter Horses and Registered Cattle. Recognizing the need for water conservation well before it became a mainstream concern, the family began its vineyard operation in 1989, originally planting 25 acres of own-rooted Cabernet Sauvignon, then adding 25 acres of Merlot and 8 acres of other red varieties used primarily for blending; later plantings were grafted onto a variety of rootstocks. The estate sold grapes under contract to other wineries from the early 1990s, began making its own wine in 1994, and first labeled wine for sale in 2002. Production started with small lots and has grown steadily; the winery reports producing about 2,500 cases per year with an intention to reach 5,000 cases. Red wines are aged in French oak for 20 months before bottling. The current wine lineup includes estate and other red releases such as 2021 Red Rhythm, 2021 Estate Cabernet, 2021 Estate Merlot and 2018 Estate Merlot, sold through a tasting room, wine club with customizable allocations, and shipping or pickup. B & E presents itself as an "Authentic Western Style Winery and Tasting Room" and a tribute to California's cowboy heritage, continuing traditions of horses, cattle and farming. The winery is run by Jerry and Patricia Bello, who describe themselves as found tending the vines, making wine or mingling in the tasting room. It offers free tastings, vineyard tours and a customizable wine club, and its wines have been used for corporate gifting and customer appreciation. The business remains privately held and family owned, with no public listing.

B & E Vineyard & Winery's history begins with horses. In 1952, Doc Elliott — the "E" in B&E — started a racing operation of running Quarter Horses, and over the years the operation produced several world champions. In 1969 the family, joined by the "B" (Bello), expanded into farming alfalfa and oat hay production, along with Registered Quarter Horses and Registered Cattle. This combination of livestock and forage farming established the family's identity as a working ranch. The vineyard chapter began in 1989, when the family — recognizing the need for water conservation as an environmental and sustainability concern years before it became popular — started planting grapes. The first planting was 25 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon on its own root. The family then added 25 acres of Merlot and 8 acres of other red varieties, primarily used for blending; later plantings were grafted onto a variety of different rootstocks. From the early 1990s, the estate's grapes were contracted out to other wineries. In 1994 the family started making its own wine, but did not label any for sale until 2002. Production began with small lots in 2002 and has increased since. The winery ages its red wines in French oak for 20 months before bottling. As of the official website's account, B & E produces about 2,500 cases per year and intends to continue growing until it reaches 5,000 cases. Today B & E operates as a family-owned and operated winery and tasting room in Creston, California, in the Paso Robles area, run by Jerry and Patricia Bello. It presents itself as an "Authentic Western Style Winery and Tasting Room" and a tribute to California's cowboy heritage, continuing the traditions of horses, cattle and farming. Visitors are invited to free tastings, vineyard tours and a wine club with customizable allocations, and wines can be shipped or picked up. The winery's own marketing notes that its wines have been used for corporate gift giving and customer appreciation.

• 2002

  B & E first labels wine for sale, starting with small lots.

• 1994

  The family starts making its own wine.

• 1989

  Vineyard operation begins with 25 acres of own-rooted Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by 25 acres of Merlot and 8 acres of other reds.

• 1969

  The family, joined by the "B" (Bello), expands into farming alfalfa and oat hay along with Registered Quarter Horses and Registered Cattle.

• 1952

  Doc Elliott (the "E" in B&E) starts a racing operation of running Quarter Horses; the family business is founded.

Authentic Western-style, family-owned working ranch and winery celebrating California cowboy heritage, with estate-grown Paso Robles red wines.

• 2021 Red Rhythm

• 2021 Estate Cabernet

• 2021 Estate Merlot

• 2018 Estate Merlot

1. 1B & E Vineyard – Family Owned Winery in Paso Roblesbevineyard.com
2. 2About Us – B & E Vineyardbevineyard.com
3. 3B & E Vineyard & Winery – Wikidatawikidata.org