Maria
Maria Belmonte was born in Bonito, Italy, where she learned to cook at her mother’s and grandmother’s sides. Her soulful, home-style Italian cooking earned her a devoted following as the executive chef at Caffe Portofino in Santa Rosa, which the Belmonte family owned prior to opening VJB.
Today, she is the guiding force behind La Cucina and caters countless winery events. From fresh-baked focaccia and antipasto salads to her homemade biscotti, and even her line of beloved sauces and pestos, Maria’s food remains simple, delicious, and heartfelt.
Henry
As a young man, he participated in the family’s Kenwood deli and later their popular Santa Rosa restaurant, but always worked front of the house rather than the kitchen. After the passing of his brother and best friend, Victor, he turned to cooking as a source of healing, and it quickly became a true passion. His rustic, flavor-driven style shines at our Red Rooster kitchen with our signature Neapolitan pizza’s, burger, & slow-roasted ribs.
Despite a busy schedule at the winery, Henry still loves hosting relaxed, generous dinners for friends and family, and tweaking recipes for the winery – bringing the same warmth, creativity, and heart to the table that defines the Belmonte family’s hospitality.
