Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves
Over seventy percent of the fruit comes off Bella's own century-old vines, and you taste it underground in the caves. Thirty-five dollars seated, capped at eight people.12
Why go
Bella makes small lots of Zinfandel and works its own old vineyards plus fruit from a few growers it has bought from for years.1 The rest of the argument is the caves, which is where the tastings happen and why a hot Dry Creek afternoon is the right time to book one.2
Order this / avoid
- Order: the seated tasting underground, $35.2
- Order: the Barrel Select tour at $150 if you want the winemaking rather than the finished wine. The Director of Winemaking runs it.2
- Avoid: turning up as a group of nine. Everything here is capped at eight.2
Good to know
- The Labor Day Weekend Cave Open runs 5 and 6 September 2026, $45, with live music and barbecue.2
- There are three labels here: Bella Selections, ru's Farm and Ten Acre.2
- The immersive cave tour is $95 and goes behind the scenes rather than staying at the bar.2
Verdict
could-visit — Over seventy percent of the fruit comes off Bella's own century-old vineyards on West Dry Creek Road, and the rest off other growers farming old vines, which is a narrower sourcing story than most rooms in this valley can tell. You taste underground in the caves, $35 seated, or $150 with the Director of Winemaking pulling barrel samples and explaining what he is selecting for. No tasting here takes more than eight people. Held here because the winery is the only source: I could not find anyone independent who has written about the Zinfandel, and I did not read the winery's own press archive.