Rutherford · Napa Valley
Visit Bella Oaks with a Private Chauffeur
The historic Rutherford vineyard behind Heitz Cellar's Bella Oaks Cabernet, revived under its own label. Bella Oaks does not receive visitors; here is what to know, and a day at sought-after estates nearby that do host.
Book a Six-Hour Wine Tour
About the Winery
Belle and Barney Rhodes bought this 14-acre Rutherford property in 1968 and in 1973, on Joe Heitz's advice, planted it entirely to Cabernet Sauvignon. Heitz Cellar's first Bella Oaks bottling was the 1976 vintage, and for 34 years the fruit went only to Heitz. The Rhodes home on the property was known in the 1970s and 1980s as a center of Napa Valley hospitality and wine education.
Suzanne Deal Booth bought the estate in 2010, replanted the vineyard and converted it to organic farming (certified in 2019), with biodynamic practices. David Abreu manages the vineyard, Nigel Kinsman, formerly of Araujo, makes the wine and Michel Rolland is master blender. The first Bella Oaks vintage, the 2018, was about 300 cases at $275 a bottle, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Bella Oaks has no tasting room yet. The wine is made at Wheeler Farms in St. Helena, which Booth bought in 2024, and she owns the former Swanson winery property for a future home, a project she has called "likely years off." For now, the way in is the mailing list on bellaoaks.com. The day below takes you to three sought-after Rutherford and Oakville estates that do welcome guests.
Tasting Fees
Bella Oaks does not offer tastings.
Tasting fees as of September 2026. Wineries set and collect their own fees, and they change from time to time.
At a Glance
Location
Rutherford
AVA
Rutherford
Visiting
Bella Oaks has no tasting room and publishes no tours or tastings. The estate lists only a post office box in Rutherford and the email info@bellaoaks.com.
Known For
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon from the vineyard behind Heitz Cellar's Bella Oaks bottlings
Founded
2018 first vintage (vineyard planted in 1973)
Good to Know
Join the mailing list on bellaoaks.com for release news. Questions go to info@bellaoaks.com.
A Suggested Six-Hour Day
Pickup at 10:00 a.m. from a nearby hotel such as Rancho Caymus Inn or Harvest Inn.
10:00 · Pickup at Rancho Caymus Inn or Harvest Inn
Since Bella Oaks does not host visitors, this day takes you to three sought-after estates nearby that do. Rancho Caymus Inn, at the Rutherford crossroads, and Harvest Inn, a garden resort at the south end of St. Helena, are each about 10 minutes from the first stop. The day runs about seven hours, and extra time can be added by the hour.
10:15 · Tres Sabores
About 10 minutes away. Julie Johnson's organic farm and winery on the Rutherford Bench, where you taste at your own table by the vines and wander among sheep, guinea fowl and olive trees. The Portfolio Wine Tasting Experience is $65, typically 90 minutes, for up to 6 (waived with four bottles). By appointment, Wednesday to Monday, from 10 a.m. to the last tasting at 3 p.m.
12:00 · Sullivan Rutherford Estate
About 8 minutes away. A Rutherford family estate devoted to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon since 1972. The Founder's Tasting is $150: a guided walk through the vineyards and gardens, then a seated tasting with cheese and charcuterie; we allow about 90 minutes. By appointment only.
1:45 · Lunch at Auberge du Soleil
About 10 minutes away. Lunch high on Rutherford Hill with the whole valley below. The Bar serves all day from 11:30 a.m., and The Restaurant on the terrace offers a two- or three-course prix fixe lunch. Prefer a picnic? We can arrange a catered picnic at a winery that allows one; the cost is quoted when you book.
3:15 · Schrader Cellars
About 15 minutes away. Collectors' Cabernet from the To Kalon Vineyard, poured at a private table at the To Kalon Collective in Oakville. The Schrader Cellars Experience is $195 plus an 18% hospitality fee, five wines with small plates; we plan about 90 minutes. By reservation on Tock, with times from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4:45 · Back to your hotel
Back by about 5:00 p.m., about seven hours after pickup.
About $410 per person in tasting fees for the three wineries (plus Schrader's 18% hospitality fee), paid directly to each winery.
Tres Sabores is closed on Tuesday, so plan this day for Wednesday through Monday. It runs about seven hours, back by about 5:00 p.m.; to shorten it, we drop the last stop.
Every tour is custom. This day is a starting point: your chauffeur will shape it around what matters to you, and we plan multi-day tours for guests who want to see more of wine country.
Your Vehicle & Six-Hour Tour Rates
Up to 6 guests
Elite Luxury SUV
Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade
From $750
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $125 each.
Up to 9 guests
Jet Sprinter or Executive Luxury Van
Captain's chairs and room to spread out
From $1,350
Six-hour wine tour, plus 20% gratuity. Additional hours $225 each.
Larger groups travel in more than one vehicle, and we plan the winery appointments around your group, since many wineries limit groups to 6 to 8 guests. Tasting fees are separate and paid directly to each winery. Every tour starts with six hours; add time by the hour when you book.
Questions
Can you visit Bella Oaks?
No. Bella Oaks has no tasting room and publishes no tours or tastings, as of September 2026. A future winery is planned but, in the owner's words, likely years off. We can plan a day at nearby estates that do host.
How can I buy Bella Oaks wine?
Join the mailing list on bellaoaks.com for release news; bottles also appear with fine wine retailers.
Who owns Bella Oaks?
Suzanne Deal Booth, who bought the vineyard in 2010 after the deaths of Belle and Barney Rhodes.
Where is Bella Oaks?
In the Rutherford AVA of Napa Valley. The winery lists only a post office box in Rutherford, and the wine is made at Wheeler Farms in St. Helena.
What is Bella Oaks known for?
Cabernet Sauvignon. For 34 years its fruit went only to Heitz Cellar, whose Bella Oaks bottlings began with the 1976 vintage; since the 2018 vintage it has been bottled under its own label.
How does booking a tour with Bien Chauffeured work?
Reserve a six-hour tour online, even if your plans are still taking shape. Your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Extra hours can be added.
Reserve Your Tour Now, Plan the Details Later
Your plans don't need to be final to book. Reserve your six-hour tour online, and your chauffeur will email you first to learn what matters to you, then build your itinerary and make the winery appointments. Prefer to talk? Call our concierge at 888-291-2328.
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