The Big, Bold and Classic in Napa Valley: Beringer Vineyards

We had the ultimate California Date Day at Beringer Vineyards in Napa Valley, California. We were going for a classic, quintessential wine country experience, and Beringer couldn’t have fit the bill better.

There is a place for disruption and new energy in wine. We love wineries who seek to bring something totally out of left field to the table, and we explore them often. But sometimes, you just have to go classic. Beringer Vineyards is the crisp white button down and jeans of Northern California wine. They’ll never go out of style.

Arriving at Beringer

We felt the history as soon as we drove onto the property. A narrow, winding road led us through a grove of old-growth California oak trees—an untainted view of nature that we later recognized as the theme of our visit to Beringer Vineyards. Beringer has deep roots in Napa Valley—just like those gorgeous oaks.

On our right, we glimpsed a banner inviting guests to try their 99-point cabernet sauvignon. We knew we in for a big, bold, California treat. What we didn’t know was just how complex, refined and terroir-driven that treat would prove to be.

To the left, we drove past the Rhine House—a breathtaking Victorian constructed in 1884 as an homage to the Beringer brothers’ childhood home along the Rhine River in Germany.

We entered through a grand archway and onto the promenade adjacent to the winery. Here is an area for guests who’ve reserved the “Legacy Tasting” at the estate—a $35 tasting featuring four wines exclusive to the winery. Beringer offers a variety of experiences on-site, ranging from a $20 “stroll around Beringer with a glass of wine” to the $125 private reserve and “Eighth Maker” tasting options.

For our first foray into Beringer’s vast history and range, we knew we had to experience a tasting at the Rhine House on its picturesque veranda. Our visits to California wineries and vineyards have taught us well, so we made sure to arrive 30 minutes ahead of time for an opportunity to take in the magical property before our reservation.

We stopped for a glass of sauvignon blanc and used our extra time to stroll around the sensory gardens as well through as a towering redwood grove planted by the Beringer brothers themselves in the 1880s. “The Grove” has seating areas for special reserve tastings exclusive to wine club members. Trust us—the serenity and fresh, fragrant air is reason enough to join the club!

Adjacent to the redwoods sits the Hudson Home. A lovely white farmhouse constructed in the 1850s, the home originally stood where the Rhine House sits today. In order to make space while preserving their original house, co-founder Frederick Beringer had the structure lifted onto logs and rolled 200 feet away. Today, it’s used as a venue for weddings and other private events.

An Estate Rich in History

Jacob Beringer and his brother Frederick left their home in Mainz, Germany for new opportunities in the United States in the 1860s. At the time, most people migrating to California were searching for gold. Jacob was on the hunt for something different—land to grow wine grapes in the new world just as he had in Europe.

In 1875, the brothers purchased land in Napa Valley, where they bet that the volcanic, rocky soil paired with the sunny California climate would produce beautiful iterations of European varietals. Just a year later, Beringer Winery was born with a mission to bring the old world to the new, honoring noble European wine grapes while allowing them to find new expressions in Northern California terroir.

The Beringers led construction of hand-chiseled rock tunnels within the hillsides of their property. These tunnels are still in use for storing and aging today, with a naturally maintained temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The Old Stone Winery is the entrance to the vineyard’s caves. We learned that both the Old Stone Winery and the caves it leads to can be reserved for incredible private events!

Beringer is the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley. In 1918, when Prohibition was enacted, Jacob Beringer, Jr. pivoted the family business to survive the blow. The winery began producing “altar wines” for churches, and also found a niche selling their dried wine grapes to home winemakers. Making wine might have been Jacob Jr.’s trade, but we think he also made a fine lemonade out of the lemons life handed to Beringer.

Over the course of its operation, the winery has had only eight winemakers at its helm—currently Jacob’s great-great-grandson, Mark Beringer. Every winemaker has made their own mark on Beringer Vineyards, each inviting and developing a new era to add to the winery’s vast history. It’s a true lineage.

Our Taste of Beringer

When it was time, we made our way to the veranda of the Rhine House. The structure is a masterpiece with 17 rooms, coal-burning fireplaces, original stained glass windows, detailed brickwork, and gables and turrets that all showcase the very best of Victorian architecture. We felt immediately aware that this tasting would be one-of-a-kind—an exclusive and memorable experience.

We were led to our table with views of the gorgeous gardens, a sprawling outdoor plaza and a charming moss-covered rock wall with two doors leading out to the vineyards. Our server, Kerry, shared that our table was her favorite on the veranda. A longtime Beringer employee, she is an expert in food and wine pairings. Kerry also hosts online tasting events for Beringer Vineyards. We were with a pro.

Kerry gave us a rundown of the wines we’d be sampling. She brought out a lovely charcuterie platter alongside our first wine, and our tasting began.

2017 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay

Beringer’s chardonnay is an absolute masterpiece, made in the style of a white Burgundy with the richness of a Montrachet. The wine is delicately oaked for a touch of vanilla and spice, with gorgeous roundness without being too buttery. On the nose, we found aromas of citrus and honeysuckle, followed by crème brûlée and lemon curd on the palate and a long, lush finish.

This 100% chardonnay is balanced, with signature California style paired with old world finesse. The grape is not hidden behind new oak aging, but rather enhanced by it. In the heart of Napa Valley, we were surprised and pleased to find such an intricate chardonnay as opposed to the super-bold, oaky chardonnays Napa is often known for.

We’d love this wine with lobster, halibut or roasted chicken—in warm weather or cold!

2016 Bancroft Vineyard Howell Mountain Private Reserve

Next we tried a single-vineyard cabernet sauvignon from Bancroft vineyard on Howell Mountain. The 97 point, 100% cabernet sauvignon benefits from the volcanic soils found there, giving the grapes maximum luscious fruit flavor while maintaining their acidity and structure.

We tasted black fruits, chocolate and licorice and aromas of baking spices on the finish The tannins are mighty, creating an experience with each sip. The 2016 growing season was pleasant and temperate with the bonus of late winter rains, giving these grapes a lovely, ideal environment in which to develop. Structure and complexity shows up in this glass!

Since the tannins are so intense, pairing this wine with food is a must. We’d love grilled beef, wild boar or aged and flavorful cheeses.

2016 St. Helena Home Vineyard Private Reserve

Our next taste was another single-vineyard cab, grown on the Beringer brothers’ original vineyards—the land that first attracted Jacob Beringer to Napa Valley! The soil is loose and gravelly, lending a distinct graphite characteristic to the grapes grown here.

On the nose of this 96 point 100% cabernet sauvignon, we found lovely aromatics, including lavender, rose and baking spices. On the palate we tasted blackberry like the last cab we’d tried, but this time, more concentrated as if in a compote. The tannins are strong but softened by the wine’s long finish—definitely refined, but still a big California cabernet.

We’d pair this wine with cured meats, pork shoulder or even a rich pasta with bolognese. But our dream? A well-seasoned, slightly charred grilled porterhouse steak with roasted potatoes.

2016 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Our final wine was a wonderful way to end our visit. Kerry shared that the first two cabernets we tried are like single beautiful notes played just right by an orchestra, and this wine, with its 99 point rating, is the symphony.

This private reserve combines the best cabernet sauvignon grapes from all of Beringer’s most acclaimed vineyards. This adds a level of finesse and balance that you won’t always find in a single-vineyard bottle. We found similar tasting notes to the other two cabs, but this time, with more subtlety and approachability. This cabernet is still a big red, with juicy fruit, spice and earth and grippy tannins, but just a little less in your face and more composed.

We’d enjoy this wine on a special occasion—maybe a date night or family gathering. It’s a show-stopper and will only get better with age. Like most California cabernets, meat is an ideal pairing. We imagine a rich, slow-cooked beef bourguignon with truffle pomme purée would be perfection.

Beringer Wines – Something for Everyone

Beringer produces a variety of wines with a wide range of price points to fit your palate as well as your budget.

Beringer Vineyards’ offerings include 13 wines in the $20-30 range! Some standouts include the 2017 tequila barrel-aged sauvignon blanc, a just off-dry (hint: not too sweet!) 2017 “winery exclusive” riesling, and the 2019 bourbon barrel-aged cabernet sauvignon.

Beringer’s most noteworthy wines hail in their exclusive “luxury portfolio.” Here you’ll find all four of the wines we got to sip during our visit, in addition to more special occasion bottles perfect for a collector.

2016 Eighth Maker Cabernet Sauvignon

The Eighth Maker is Mark Beringer’s celebration of the winery’s rich history, nodding to the impressive fact that they’ve only seen eight winemakers in nearly 150 years.

With a wowing 99 points, the 2016 Eighth Maker cabernet sauvignon is big, dark, complex and a beautiful candidate for aging (but also ready for drinking now!). The 100% cabernet sauvignon comes from the Beringer brothers’ very first vineyard within Napa Valley’s Saint Helena AVA (American Viticulture Area), with hand-selected grapes sorted many times over for the best of the best. If you’re looking for a California stunner with an incredible backstory, this might just be it.

Your Taste of Beringer

Beringer Vineyards has four options for wine club membership!

We’re loving the Reserve Club for its complimentary wine tastings at the Rhine House, 20% off all wine purchases, and first pick of winery-exclusive limited production wines. For an even more upfront seat to Beringer’s best, check out the Collector’s Circle. If you’re looking for lighter introduction, the Pioneer Club is a fabulous entry-level membership to get to know Beringer, and the Napa Valley, a little better.

Another fun (and timely) offering is a virtual Beringer wine tasting party, where Beringer’s team takes care of everything from sending out evites to your guests, shipping wine to the homes of participants and hosting an online tasting event for you. We love this for connecting with friends and family we can’t quite travel to yet, or even as a team-building after-hours work gathering.

Getting in Touch

Read more about Beringer’s wine clubs and find your perfect fit!

Get a bottle of Napa Valley history delivered right to your doorstep through Beringer’s online shop.

For information on Beringer Vineyards’ tastings, and to reserve one of your own, click here.

Visit the private events page to learn more about the property!

Follow Beringer Vineyards on Instragram.

Find Beringer on Facebook.