is “the Jewel Box,” a “floating,” glass-encased showcase with sweeping views of the famed Rutherford district; it’s reserved for the winery’s most exclusive portfolio tasting. Bella’s blends We return to the atrium and are seated beneath a large window; the sunlight streams through, warming us and lifting our midwinter moods. The Curated Selection tasting offers a unique way to experience Bella Union wines. Each person at the table designs their own flight of four wines from a list of 11 (five reds, four whites, two rosés). It’s great for people whose palates don’t sync up—or for those who want to widen their experience by sharing glasses. “Here our focus is blends,” says Winn. “We have a handful of single-variety wines, but most of the wines we have are blends of multiple varietals.” It was an eye-opening experience. By not duplicating our choices, we tried eight of the wines on offer. In addition to a crisp, fragrant 2023 chardonnay and fruity, lightly spiced 2022 pinot blanc, and the 2022 Napa Valley and 2021 Rutherford cabs are stellar. But it’s the unexpected blends from the 2022 vintage—Mélange (white), Liaison, Cultivist and La Gemma (reds) that really capture our imaginations. These wines are “thinkers.” They make you pause and search your memory for a fragrance, a flavor, an essence that eludes easy identification. “One of the things that sets [us] apart is that we’re doing some different things,” says Winn. “You’re not going to find blends like this at a lot of places.” He adds that the art of blending gives winemaker Brooke Bobyak Price room for creativity and expression. Impeccable. a Did You Know? Bella Union’s outdoor patio, called The Wren, has opened for the season. Next time you’re stuck in afternoon traffic on 128, turn in for a respite. Social Hours (4 to 6 p.m. daily) offer guests the opportunity to enjoy wines by the glass or by the bottle, cozied up to the outdoor tasting bar or seated in the courtyard. Add a selection of tempting snacks that blend unexpected flavors. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Bella Union Winery 1695 St Helena Highway St. Helena, CA 94574 farniente.com/visit-bella-union
Open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bella Union is the newest winery in the Far Niente family, debuting its new facility in September 2024. The structure, which combines both the winery and tasting room, used to be home to Provenance Winery but has undergone a ground-up renovation and expansion to create several fun and luxurious spaces to gather and enjoy wine. Inspired by France’s Belle Époque (1871-1914), the tasting room is well appointed and lovingly curated down to the smallest detail. Without leaning in too heavily, it reflects the era’s embrace of art nouveau and impressionism with gilded touches and imaginative interplays of shapes and textures. A quick tour We’re greeted with a taste of Bianco, a white blend that’s light and easy to drink (perfect for a hot summer day). Winn, our host, begins our tour outside, where a large patio beckons. Multiple seating areas offer visitors choices, including sofas and cushioned seating near a water feature, fire pits, umbrellas, an outside bar (for wines by the glass and bottle) and a members- only lounge. Far Niente acquired the building in 2021, though the Bella Union label has been around since the 2012 vintage. “Including the patio, we can comfortably seat 200 people, but you’ll never feel crowded,” says Winn. “As we get further into the building, the spaces get a little more intimate and experiences get a little more elevated.” We start in the atrium, a large, sunlit room with multiple booths for group tastings, before passing into the Salon, which is cool and plush, with a speakeasy vibe and the working winery visible through a wall of windows. Upstairs is for members, and there are a number of spaces to enjoy, each comfortable and a little decadent (as befitting the style). The gem, however,
Taste of Bella Taste three debut releases from the winemaker’s small lot wines that span whites and a rosé to small lot reds that reflect the estate-grown cabernet. The Taste of Bella includes an assortment of small snacks to complement the tasting. Parties of 1 to 6. 60 minutes • 3 wines • $45 per person Curated Selection “We’ll help you create the experience that pairs best with your mood and your guest list.” Includes four wines and a selection of chef’s snacks. Parties of 1 to 6. 75 minutes • 4 wines. • $65 per person Cabernet Curiosity Explore the many expressions of cabernet sauvignon as guests taste through four Bella Union small lot reds. Unexpected snacks further heighten the sensory adventure. Reservations required. Parties of 2 to 8. 90 minutes • 4 wines • $100 per person Jewel Box Tasting The only tasting hosted in the glass-walled room with sweeping views of the famed Rutherford district: Bella Union's Jewel Box. This guided portfolio tasting—which includes limited-production blends of cabernet and Rutherford cabernet sauvignon—is complemented by the chef’s seasonal pairings and stunning views. Reservations are required. Parties of 2 to 8. 90 minutes • 4 wines • $175 per person
May 2025
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