March 3 2025 (Yountville, CA) — Vinifera Wine Marketing, a California wine broker representing terroir-driven, family-owned wineries, is the new California representative for Bella Oaks, a Rutherford Bench estate with a storied history for producing one of Napa Valley’s earliest and most noteworthy single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. For more than 30 years, the grapes from Bella Oaks were sold exclusively to Heitz, and their Bella Oaks bottling — known for being fresh, elegant, balanced, and made to age — quickly became a benchmark for the Cabernet renaissance that put Napa Valley on the map in the 1970s and 1980s.
Suzanne Deal Booth, a renowned cultural preservationist, acquired the Bella Oaks property in 2010 and has been dedicated to reimaging the estate and building upon its legacy. She has brought on some of Napa’s most celebrated names in winemaking, including Winemaker Nigel Kinsman and Master Blender Michel Rolland. David Abreu oversaw a phased replanting of the vineyard; the estate was CCOF-certified organic in 2019, and the team practices biodynamic farming methods.
“I visited and toured the Bella Oaks estate this past September, and after tasting through the wines and hearing the story, I knew that Vinifera had to introduce these wines to the wholesale market. The care and attention that Suzanne puts into each vintage is apparent with every sip of Bella Oaks. Suzanne’s dedication to organic farming practices and preserving the history of the Bella Oaks vineyard makes this a unique and special site in the Napa Valley,” remarked Vinifera Wine Marketing Owner Gina Schober.
Vinifera Wine Marketing is launching its representation of Bella Oaks with the Bella Oaks Proprietary Red Wine and the Le Génie Cabernet Sauvignon.
“Bella Oaks is honored to partner with Vinifera Wine Marketing, a team whose thoughtful approach to boutique brand representation aligns seamlessly with our philosophy of stewardship and sustainability. Their deep appreciation for terroir-driven wines and dedication to working with small, family-owned wineries make them the perfect partner as we introduce our two inaugural estate bottlings to trade partners across California,” commented Director of Business Development and Trade Sales Ellison Wofford.
Under Deal Booth’s thoughtful vision, she has preserved and elevated this historic site and its rich history. This new chapter for Bella Oaks makes the winery a perfect fit for Vinifera’s portfolio. Since its founding in 1985, Vinifera Wine Marketing has partnered with terroir-driven, family-owned premium wineries. Their carefully curated portfolio offers wine buyers a diverse selection of varietals, winemaking styles, appellations, and price points – and all with great stories behind them.
About Vinifera Wine Marketing: Since 1985,Vinifera Wine Marketing has partnered with terroir-driven, family-owned, premium wineries. Our producers are meticulous stewards of the land with deep expertise in winemaking and farming. Vintage after vintage, these winemakers produce exceptional wines that capture the essence of time, place, and varietal. Vinifera’s carefully curated portfolio offers wine buyers a diverse selection of varietals, winemaking styles, appellations, and price points – and all with great stories behind them.
About Bella Oaks: Bella Oaks is a new wine estate five decades in the making, a project that combines one of Napa Valley’s most historic and revered vineyards with the dedication to cultural heritage projects that characterizes the vision of proprietor and cultural preservation advocate Suzanne Deal Booth. The Bella Oaks vineyard is legendary, with a legacy for producing some of Napa Valley’s earliest single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. Recognizing its history and untapped potential, Deal Booth, who acquired Bella Oaks in 2010, has given this storied vineyard a voice of its own with a production team that includes Winemaker Nigel Kinsman and Master Blender Michel Rolland. The estate produces two wines, the Bella Oaks Proprietary Red and Le Génie, a Cabernet Sauvignon, which debuted with the 2021 vintage. With the acquisition of the 11-acre Wheeler Farms in late 2024, Deal Booth owns 44 acres in Rutherford and St. Helena. For more information, please visit www.bellaoaks.com.
