Bella Oaks

Bella Oaks is a fascinating Napa Valley paradox — one of the region's youngest estates set on one of Napa's oldest and most historic plots of land. First discovered in the mid-19th century, the Bella Oaks Vineyard became a Napa Valley icon, used by the original cult estate, Heitz Cellar. Over the past 15 years, Bella Oaks has been guided by Suzanne Deal Booth, a philanthropist and art collector looking to bring her eclectic style to Napa Valley wines. 

Bella Oaks Napa Valley Heritage

The history of Bella Oaks can be traced back to the 1860s, when the land was used as part of the Bella Union Mining Company. Early settlers discovered a large amount of quicksilver, making it a hotspot for miners to hoard. Following the decline in popularity of the California Gold Rush, the land was then converted into a vineyard by the nearby Bella Union Winery, giving the land its name. 

Fast forward nearly one hundred years, when Barney and Belle Rhodes purchased the small 14-acre vineyard, a huge risk at the time of Napa's post-Prohibition industry. However, with the encouragement of André Tchelistcheff and Robert Mondavi, the pair acquired the land in 1968 and exclusively sold the harvested fruit to Heitz Cellar until 2010, when Suzanne Deal Booth purchased the property. And thus, Bella Oaks was born — a new Napa Valley estate focusing on cabernet sauvignon and proprietary blends, releasing the inaugural 2018 Bella Oaks vintage in 2021 after selling fruit to Staglin Vineyards from 2011 to 2015. 

"Bella Oaks is one of the most fascinating projects to come along in the decade or so I have been covering Napa Valley. It is both old and new, steeped in history and yet contemporary. Bella Oaks is among the most pedigreed vineyards in Napa Valley." — Vinous Media

Deal Booth, an art collector and philanthropist, is dedicated to restoring the property to its golden days and infusing her artistic vision into the estate. Currently, Bella Oaks offers visitors a holistic experience of wine, art, and food, with incredible sculptures placed throughout the land and even crafting olive oil from the ground's 200 olive trees.  

Bella Oaks Vineyard: The Heart of Rutherford

Set on the west side of Rutherford near the Mayacamas Mountains, Bella Oaks Vineyard sits on a slope called the Rutherford Bench. After acquiring the vineyard, Suzanne Deal Booth hired David Abreu to help replant the vineyard. The legendary winemaker changed the row orientation of the vines and planted small amounts of petit verdot and cabernet franc to the cabernet sauvignon-dominated property. Now serving as Bella Oaks' Vineyard Manager, Abreu has also adopted organic and biodynamic farming techniques, leading the estate to gain a CCOF certification. 

Bella Oaks Wine: Proprietary Red Blend & Cabernet Sauvignon

Suzanne Deal Booth did not stop at hiring one legendary winemaker, and instead, brought on Michel Rolland to act as a consulting oenologist and Nigel Kinsman as the head winemaker. Kinsman, the former winemaker at Araujo Estates, was hired in 2017, bringing classic Napa winemaking to Bella Oaks. He ages each blend in 70% new French oak for 21 months, working intuitively with Rolland and Abreu to create one of Napa's most exciting new blends. 

The estate's two offerings, Bella Oaks Proprietary Red and Bella Oaks Le Genie, are both cabernet sauvignon-dominated blends, giving drinkers two styles to choose from. The former is a lush, fruit-driven bottle with expansive floral aromas that display Rutherford's unique terroir. Le Genie, conversely, is crafted from younger vines on the estate and meant to be enjoyed in its youth. The bottles are comprised of 80% cabernet sauvignon, 10% petit verdot, and 10% cabernet franc. The final blend contains a deep ruby hue and aromas of tobacco spices and herbal characters. On the palate, flavors of plum, cherry, and dark raspberry can be found. 

Buy a Bottle of Bella Oaks Cabernet

As one of Napa Valley's youngest and most stimulating wines, a bottle of Bella Oaks wine is a display of true Napa expertise and a great opportunity for collectors to age a bottle that will only increase in value over the coming years. From the classically designed Bella Oaks Proprietary Red to the young Bella Oaks Le Genie bottle, Bella Oaks is an incredible young estate to focus on. Browse our selection and choose a bottle for your cellar today.