Vintner Suzanne Deal Booth, renowned for her expertise in cultural heritage preservation, has dedicated the past 15 years to restoring and reimagining Bella Oaks, one of Napa Valley’s most historic vineyards. In her continued effort to safeguard Napa’s unique legacy, Deal Booth and the Bella Oaks team have launched a program of Legacy Dinners—exclusive six-course progressive dining experiences honoring Belle and Barney Rhodes, the original proprietors of the Bella Oaks estate.
Lauded for producing some of Napa Valley’s earliest single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, the Bella Oaks vineyard boasts a rich and prestigious legacy. Recognizing the vineyard’s historical significance and untapped potential, Deal Booth, who acquired Bella Oaks in 2010, has brought new life to the storied estate. Under her guidance, a dedicated production team, including Winemaker Nigel Kinsman and Master Blender Michel Rolland, has crafted wines that honor its heritage, such as the Bella Oaks Proprietary Red and, Le Genie, a new Cabernet Sauvignon, which debuted in 2024 with the 2021 vintage.
In 2024, Deal Booth further solidified her commitment to Bella Oaks’ future by acquiring the historic Wheeler Farms estate from the esteemed Araujo family, increasing her acreage to 44 across Rutherford and St. Helena. The 11-acre biodynamic and organic St. Helena vineyard, which dates back to 1880, features culinary gardens, a fruit orchard, beehives, and heritage chickens, providing a state-of-the-art venue for welcoming guests. Under her stewardship, Wheeler Farms remains a family-owned operation and continues to serve as the home for Bella Oaks’ winemaking.
Deal Booth has worked tirelessly to preserve the often-overlooked chapters of Napa Valley’s rich history, and the Legacy Dinners ($695 per person, by appointment for groups of 4-8) are a continuation of her mission to celebrate the contributions of Bella and Barney Rhodes. The Rhodes were not only pioneering viticulturists but also exceptional hosts who transformed Bella Oaks into a cultural nexus for Napa Valley. Their renowned dinner parties, which attracted international journalists and industry luminaries throughout the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, played a pivotal role in promoting Napa Valley wines to the world.
Belle Rhodes, a passionate culinary aficionado with an extensive library of 3,500 cookbooks, co-founded the Napa Valley Cooking Class, which became a vital force in the region’s gastronomic development. She was instrumental in attracting culinary legends such as Wolfgang Puck, Paul Bocuse, Gary Danko, and Thomas Keller to teach the class, which was initially held at the Bella Oaks estate. Over time, this initiative helped shape some of Napa’s most celebrated chefs, including three-Michelin-starred Christopher Kostow and Bay Area icons Cindy Pawlcyn and Michael Chiarello.
The Legacy Dinner experience begins with a glass of Champagne, caviar, and canapés, served in Wheeler Farms’ biodynamic garden, where guests can harvest fresh ingredients for their meal. The evening continues in the open kitchen with an appetizer, wine, and a culinary demonstration by Executive Chef Tom Harder, formerly of Mustards Grill. The evening culminates in the dining room, where the final courses are paired with Bella Oaks and Wheeler Farms wines, as well as a selection from the Heitz Cabernet library. Belle Rhodes’ personal journals, which detail every aspect of her legendary dinner parties—including menus, wines, guest lists, and seating arrangements—will influence the seasonal menus at Bella Oaks, ensuring that each dinner is a faithful homage to her storied legacy.
Bella Oaks Legacy Dinners begin in May and will continue throughout the year, based on mutual availability. Interested parties can inquire about details and availability by contacting Martin Repicky at martin@bellaoaks.com or 707.287.3319.