Despite last week’s 6.0 earthquake, Napa’s new location of B Cellars is open and ready for business. Aside from a few broken bottles (we hope no wine was wasted), the award-winning wine producer launched its new winery and hospitality house on the site of a historic property in Oakville.
B Cellars is perfectly placed for a wine tour, as guests are just moments from other big name producers including Opus One, Silver Oak, PlumpJack, Groth, Gargiulo, and Rudd, in the district that defines great Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
“We are honored to be the first winery in 18 years to open on the celebrated Oakville Cross Road and are thrilled to have found a permanent home for our winery, which we have worked hard to establish since we first opened our doors 11 years ago,” said co-founder Duffy Keys. “Together with one of the industry’s most respected winemakers and a seasoned team dedicated to exceptional customer service, we plan to offer a highly interactive Napa Valley hospitality experience. It is our hope that guests will enjoy discovering the many facets of the property while they explore our artisanal wines, paired with ‘bites’ made from the freshest and most delicious ingredients the valley has to offer.”
The project includes a state-of-the art wine production facility, including more than 15,000-square-feet of caves for barrel storage, tours, tastings and private events, and a hospitality house anchored by an interactive demonstration kitchen.
Much more than just a place to taste some great California varietals, B Cellars prioritizes food as well. A state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen with open-flame hearth oven is overseen by Christina Machamer, a protégé of Gordon Ramsay, with chef de cuisine Brian Green, who trained under Daniel Boulud and Dominique Ansel in New York. Expect dishes like Braised Niman Ranch pork belly with Caldwell’s Syrah BBQ lacquer, pickled watermelon rind and fresh cilantro, Humbolt Fog Goat’s milk cheese with truffle honey, fig and fennel jam, and crisp apples, and Coho Salmon Tartar with lemon oil, chives, and micro cilantro.
Sit indoors or on one of the outdoor terraces, or stroll the culinary gardens, where visitors are able to explore, pick, sample and tend to, as a part of the experiential programs offered at the winery. Work off the calories on the a six-wicket center-pin croquet court for an afternoon of friendly competition.
We’d suggest taking part in the winery’s Appellation Tasting, where guests navigate the diverse terroir of Napa Valley’s appellations through a tasting of Cabernet Sauvignon from four of the most distinct growing areas. The experience begins with a tour of the wine production facilities, as guests are given an inside look into the process from harvest to bottling, before settling into a private tasting area of the caves for a tasting that compares single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons from Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Atlas Peak, each paired with artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and flatbreads from the hearth oven.
Don’t miss the Beckstoffer Heritage Room, located within the expansive caves, showcases B Cellars six single‐vineyard heritage wines made from legendary grower Andy Beckstoffer’s storied vineyards—Dr. Crane (home to the first ever Bordeaux cuttings in Napa Valley), To Kalon, George III, Las Piedras, Bourn, and Missouri Hopper—arguably the most respected vineyard properties in Napa Valley, widely recognized as producing some of the best wines for which the region is known.
A luxurious tip? Hit up the winery’s concierge for must-visit sites in the area as well as private on-property events.
“Our goal is to serve as a personal gateway for our guests to experience Napa Valley as insiders — in essence, making the impossible possible,” said Chef Concierge Jennifer Hazzard.
Led by winemaker Kirk Venge, B Cellars operates a multi-vineyard winemaking strategy, to craft exceptional blends procured from Napa Valley’s most desirable vineyard properties. The company’s approach is widely recognized for delivering consistent vintages year over year and wines that display distinct character, depth, and layers of flavors. The winery also produces acclaimed vineyard-designate wines, featuring grapes from prime Napa Valley vineyard sites, including the renowned Beckstoffer properties, Star, Lewelling and Stagecoach, to name a few.
