Beringer Winery

Beringer photos, charts, maps, and wines.

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Jacob Beringer left his home in Mainz, Germany, in 1868 to start a new life in the U.S., enticed by his brother, Frederick, who had sailed to New York five years earlier and wrote home constantly of the grand opportunities to be found in the vast read more...new world. New York did not appeal to Jacob, however. He had enjoyed working in wine cellars in Germany when he was younger and had heard that the warm, sunny climate of California was ideal for growing wine grapes. So in 1870 he traveled by train from the East Coast, first to San Francisco and then on to Napa Valley . To his delight, he discovered rocky, well-drained soils similar to those in his native Rhine Valley .
The volcanic soil was ideal for growing the same grapes found in Europe 's great winemaking regions. Best of all, the hills could be dug out to provide storage and aging tunnels that would maintain the constant temperature needed to produce fine wines. Jacob and Frederick together bought land in 1875 and set about making wines that compared to the best in Europe . In 1876, they founded the Beringer Winery.

The tough task of hand-chiseling the tunnels in the mountainside behind the winery fell to Chinese workers who had returned to the Bay Area after helping build the Trans-Continental Railroad. The tunnels took several years to complete but were the perfect place to age and store fine wine.

Even today, the average 58°F temperature inside the tunnels makes them the ideal place for Beringer Vineyards to age fine wines and the newly restored Old Stone Winery, a popular focus for visitors, marks the entrance to this cool, subterranean world.

While the winery was being built, Jacob took up residence in a farmhouse on the property built in 1848, now referred to as the “Hudson House.” Meticulously restored and expanded, the Hudson House serves today as Beringer Vineyards ' Culinary Arts Center . In 1883, Frederick permanently moved to the Napa Valley and began construction of a 17-room mansion that was to be his home—a re-creation of the Beringer family home located on the Rhine River in Germany . This unique “Rhine House” is the center of Beringer's reserve and library tastings. It is a place where guests can enjoy a glass of wine while relaxing in the old library or on the same porch that Frederick once sat, overlooking the expansive lawns, lush gardens, and out across the Napa Valley .

Beringer Vineyards is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley . In 2001, the estate was placed on the National Register for Historic Places as a Historic District. Jacob Beringer's foresight in recognizing the quality and potential of grape growing in the Napa Valley is part of the living heritage of Beringer Vineyards . With the present use of state-of-the-art technology applied to age-old traditions, Beringer Vineyards ' wines continue to reflect a single-minded dedication to the making of memorable wines from great Napa Valley vineyards.    (hide)

ECD1955 reviewed Beringer Sbragia Limited Release Chardonnay 2005:

November 2009

ECD1955

Generally I really like Beringer Chards. Perhaps a matter of personal preference but I find the fruit overshadowed by the oak and butter in the Sbragia Limited Release (partial malolactic fermentation?). I definitely...

Beringer Sbragia Limited Release Chardonnay 2005

Starting at $46^.99 Snoothrank: 4/5

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mysoulishome reviewed Beringer Pinot Noir Founders' Estate Provincia di Pavia 2007:

November 2009

mysoulishome

Weak bodied and I don't care for the flavor. Sharp and acidic.

Beringer Pinot Noir Founders' Estate Provincia di Pavia 2007

Starting at $11^.15 Snoothrank: 3/5

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oxjinixo reviewed Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet 2006:

November 2009

oxjinixo

Had it with capellini con funghi - nothing fancy, and for just a simple glass with a simple homemade dinner? Why not? Mouthfeel adds a touch of elegance and brightness. Medium-ish body, surprisingly complex, deep...

Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet 2006

Starting at $19^.99 Snoothrank: 3/5

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jena brown reviewed Cv Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay:

November 2009

jena brown

Cv Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay

Starting at $13^.99 Snoothrank: 3/5

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TL NJ wrote in the forum topic: "Hi My Name Is" / Favorite Red

November 2009

TL NJ

Yoshi - D9 beat me to it. I think the "zinfandel" you are referring to is the "white zinfandel" - which means they use the red grapes, but they quickly remove the skin so the color of the wine is pink (and much less...

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akladder reviewed Beringer White Zinfandel 2000:

November 2009

akladder

Beringer White Zinfandel 2000

Starting at $14^.99 Snoothrank: 3/5

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windblocker reviewed Beringer Vineyards Pinot Noir 2007:

November 2009

windblocker

Beringer Vineyards Pinot Noir 2007

Starting at $12^.09 Snoothrank: 2.5/5

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IHEARTWINES reviewed Beringer Founders' Estate Zinfandel California 2007:

November 2009

IHEARTWINES

very delicate flavor, easy drinking

Beringer Founders' Estate Zinfandel California 2007

Starting at $13^.99 Snoothrank: 3/5

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Seacoast Terroir reviewed Beringer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002:

October 2009

Seacoast Terroir

Beringer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Starting at $17^.80 Snoothrank: 4/5

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chicklet846 reviewed Beringer White Zinfandel Sweet Blush Wine 2006:

October 2009

chicklet846

Beringer White Zinfandel Sweet Blush Wine 2006

Starting at $18^.54 Snoothrank: 2.5/5

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JelaDragoljevic modified this page:

Oct 1

JelaDragoljevic

JelaDragoljevic added a photo for Beringer.

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JelaDragoljevic modified this page:

Oct 1

JelaDragoljevic

JelaDragoljevic wrote a new description for Beringer.

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JelaDragoljevic modified this page:

Oct 1

JelaDragoljevic

JelaDragoljevic edited the contact information for Beringer.

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