Riverside Dinners, Events & Weddings
Dinners, Events & Weddings at Belle Meade
Belle Meade's river landing is home to some of central Virginia's most distinctive outdoor events — hosted by the James River Batteau Company.
The James River Batteau Company
The James River Batteau Company is an independent NPS Chesapeake Gateways Network Experience provider based in Scottsville, Virginia — experts in crafting unforgettable river experiences along one of the most storied stretches of the James.
They bring that same expertise to Belle Meade's private river landing, where they host every event. Belle Meade provides the land — 106 acres of Virginia Century Farm along the James River. They bring the hospitality, the storytelling, and the magic. Together, one of the most distinctive event settings in central Virginia.
Visit James River Batteau Co. →
Introducing Riverside Gatherings
A short look at how an evening unfolds — seasonal food, live music, firelight, and time by the water at Belle Meade's river landing.
Video by James River Batteau Co. · Watch on YouTube ↗
Chef Sarah Rennie of Two Fire Table cooks in person on the riverbank at Farm-to-Batteau Dinners; Riverside Gatherings are catered by Sarah Rennie. A Southern Appalachian native, she trained in wood-fired baking in Asheville before managing Richmond's Sub Rosa Bakery — a three-time James Beard nominee — then traveled the American West and South America to study open-fire cooking.
Event photography courtesy of James River Batteau Co. Chef portraits & food photography by Justin Ide Photography.
Farm-to-Batteau Dinners & Riverside Gatherings
Two evenings hosted by the James River Batteau Company at Belle Meade's private river landing — supper aboard the batteaux on the James, live acoustic music, fireside lingering.
Farm-to-Batteau Dinners open with Chef Sarah Rennie of Two Fire Table cooking over open fire on the riverbank as guests arrive. Dinner is fire-cooked and served from the boats themselves.
Riverside Gatherings share the same arc — drinks by the river, supper on the batteaux, fireside finish — with a catered supper in place of the open-fire format.
Full pricing, sample menus, dates & booking on jamesrivertour.com
More Ways to Celebrate at Belle Meade
Belle Meade is one of central Virginia's most distinctive private event venues — 106 acres of Virginia farmland on the James River, with a sailcloth tent, string lights, fire pit, and the Scottsville horseshoe bend as your backdrop. All events are hosted and coordinated by the James River Batteau Company at Belle Meade's river landing, and are private and exclusive to your group.
Weddings & Elopements
Exchange vows under a sailcloth tent on the banks of the James — string lights, rolling pastures, and the river at dusk. Intimate elopements (2–20 guests) to full-day weddings welcome.
The setting: a private river landing on the Scottsville horseshoe bend of the James, with a sailcloth tent, string lights, fire pit, and 106 acres of working Virginia farmland as the backdrop.
Lodging on property: the Riverview and Meadowview suites sleep up to 10 across two private suites, steps from the ceremony site. Book both for the wedding party.
Coordination & catering: handled through the James River Batteau Company, with Chef Sarah Rennie of Two Fire Table available. 25 minutes from downtown Charlottesville.
Private Celebrations
Milestone birthdays, anniversaries, rehearsal dinners, memorials, bachelorette weekends, family reunions — set on a 106-acre Virginia farm along the James River.
Private Riverside Gatherings are bookable through James River Batteau Co. for milestone occasions — the same dinner-on-the-batteaux format, but the evening is yours alone. Available year-round outside the public season.
The setting: a private gathering at the river landing, set within 106 acres of working farmland on the James. Suite stays pair naturally with the event.
Corporate & Group Events
A retreat unlike any conference room — farm grounds, river access, open air, and private suite accommodations on property. Up to 10 overnight guests, larger group capacity for daytime events.
Ideal for: team off-sites, leadership retreats, client entertainment, board dinners, and incentive travel. The setting forces phones into pockets — no city, no traffic, no schedule but the one you set.
What's on offer: river access for canoes and kayaks, hiking and walking on 106 acres, fire pit gatherings, and the option to pair the day with a Farm-to-Batteau dinner. Catering and event coordination through the James River Batteau Company.
Lodging: Riverview Suite (sleeps 6) and Meadowview Suite (sleeps 4) on property; surrounding Scottsville and Charlottesville lodging for larger groups.
Ready to start planning? Contact the James River Batteau Company:
Stay on Property the Night of Your Event
Most venues send you home. At Belle Meade, your suite is steps from the river landing. Book an event and stay the night. Wake up to 106 acres of Virginia farmland the next morning.
Suite bookings and event tickets are handled separately · Contact Us →