Raising the Roof at BV: How Historic Gables and Stewardship Shape a New Napa Experience

At Beaulieu Vineyard in Rutherford, Napa Valley, a higher view of our heritage is coming into focus. As our broader renovation progresses, the roof work has revealed something essential about BV. When we look up, we see where we’ve been—and where we’re going. 

Before any new roof could rise, the old winery had to open back up. For decades, large, stainless‑steel tanks filled the upper levels of the stone buildings, nearly pressing against the rafters. Their removal became one of the most dramatic early steps in the renovation, an intricate process requiring cranes, careful sequencing, and a steady respect for the wines once made inside those tanks. When the final tank was lifted through the open roofline, the room transformed. For the first time in generations, the historic stone walls could breathe again. Light returned. Space returned. Possibility returned. In keeping with our commitment to responsibility, every decommissioned stainless‑steel tank removed from this phase was fully recycled. 

In the 1940s, one of our historic twin gables was removed, replaced by a simpler shed form. Today, that gable is back, faithfully rebuilt to honor the building’s early profile and the spirit of a working Napa Valley winery. The corrugated metal roof matches the material language of the past, and a familiar figure has taken its place once more: our rooster weathervane, newly refreshed and confidently watching the western sky. 

When you step inside today, what’s striking is the clarity and openness the new rooflines bring. The rebuilt gabled roof restores the building’s historic silhouette, while the underside has been crafted to appear clean and unobstructed—a deliberate choice that hides miles of necessary systems within the roof assembly itself. From certain upper-level vantage points, you’ll also notice the warm tone of reclaimed redwood cladding inside the gable structure, a quiet nod to the winery’s working past. 

A hallmark of BV is restraint: craft that feels effortless. The new roofs follow that ethos. Exterior finishes and layered waterproofing rise to meet Napa’s diverse climate, from heat to rain to seasonal winds. Insulation within the assemblies steadies the temperature and softens the soundscape, so the focus is conversation, not echo. Above the tasting room, a discreet flat roof houses essential mechanicals and even supports the courtyard trellis, while the gable assembly channels utilities out of sight, leaving the ceilings beautifully clear. 

Here in Rutherford, thoughtful environmental choices matter. Rainwater from the roofs is directed to bioswales across the property. Our solar lives in a dedicated, on‑site array, preserving the historic roofline. And for resilience, the exterior roof materials are fire‑resistant, with the warmth of wood reserved for interior finishes where guests will see and feel it. It’s a balance of Napa pragmatism and BV poise. 

There’s more above you than meets the eye, by design. In time, we’ll share additional details. For now, consider this a glimpse, one chapter in a longer story of returning BV’s historic form while preparing for the experiences ahead. 

Plan your visit to Rutherford and follow along as our renovation continues. We’re raising the roof in a way that lets Napa’s sky and BV’s history share the same frame, and we look forward to welcoming you in July, when our newly renovated winery will be fully open to the public.