Our Founders
Brothers Jacob & Frederick founded our vineyard in 1876, with the goal of producing world-renowned wines. Our Founders’ Estate wines honor the dedication and vision of our founding brothers.
Chardonnay
California
Vineyards
Beringer Founders’ Estate Chardonnay is from select vineyards throughout the
Central and North Coasts as well as the California Delta. The coastal fruit is cooled by maritime influence, which bring bright flavors to the wine. The
interior vineyards experience warm sunshine during the day and cool nights,
which allows for steady ripening during the day. The combination of these
results in an ideal balance of acidity and ripe fruit flavors.
Winemaking Notes
The winemaking team worked with the viticulture department to determine
when each vineyard reached full maturity. The wine was aged on seasoned
French oak for four months to create depth of flavor and a lush, rounded
mouthfeel.
Tasting Notes
The Beringer Founders’ Estate Chardonnay is the perfect combination of pear,
apple and ripe tropical fruit flavors, with a hint of toasted almond and a
classically round mouthfeel. This Chardonnay perfectly complements grilled
chicken or fish, or can stand up to rich risotto with its ripe, clean flavors and lingering finish.
Pinot Grigio
California
Vineyards
Beringer Founders’ Estate Pinot Grigio is selected from vineyards in the
California Delta. These vineyards are bathed in sunshine during the day and
experience cool nights that allow for even ripening of the grapes. Some fruit
from the Central Coast, influenced by the marine layer, were added for bright
fruit characteristics. The geographic differences between the two regions bring unique flavors and characteristics that make it an immediately appealing wine.
Winemaking Notes
The winemaking team worked to determine when each vineyard reached full
maturity. Once fully ripened and picked, the Pinot Grigio was fermented in
100 percent stainless steel to capture its citrus and tropical flavors.
Tasting Notes
This is a California-style Pinot Grigio that’s crisp and refreshing. Aromas of lime and apple with just a hint of honeysuckle are complemented by the
nectarine and apricot components on the palate. A rounded mouthfeel and
balanced acidity on the finish make this a wine that pairs perfectly with a variety of light summer dishes, including shrimp ceviche or a greek salad.
Sauvignon Blanc
California
Vineyards
Beringer Founders’ Estate Sauvignon Blanc was crafted from select vineyards on the North Coast and the California Delta. The coastal fruit is cooled by
maritime influence, which bring bright flavors to the wine. The interior
vineyards experience warm sunshine during the day and cool nights, which
allows for steady ripening during the day. The combination of these results in a well balanced and immediately appealing wine.
Winemaking Notes
The winemaking team worked with the viticulture department to determine
when each vineyard reached full maturity. Once fully ripened and picked, the Sauvignon Blanc was cool fermented in 100 percent stainless steel to enhance the freshness of the juice and protect the bright aromas and crisp acidity.
Tasting Notes
Beringer Founders’ Estate Sauvignon Blanc has a wonderfully refreshing
grapefruit flavor that is enhanced with intense citrus, ripe stone fruit and white fig. The wine finishes with a clean grassy note and crisp acidity making it a perfect match with grilled fish, a citrus salad or goat cheese.
Pinot Noir
California
Vineyards
Beringer Founders’ Estate Pinot Noir is from select vineyards throughout the
California Delta. These vineyards are bathed in sunshine during the day and
experience cool nights that allow for even ripening of the grapes. Some fruit
from the Central Coast, influenced by the marine layer, were added for bright
fruit flavors. The grapes were picked as soon as they exhibited the ideal balance of acidity and ripeness.
Winemaking Notes
Gentle winemaking techniques were used to protect the delicate qualities of the Pinot Noir grapes and to preserve the grapes’ lush color and bright fruit
flavors. The wine was aged on French oak for five months to add depth,
complexity and spice.
Tasting Notes
Beringer Founders’ Estate Pinot Noir is immediately fruit forward with bright
flavors of red cherry and currant, beautifully complemented by cedar and
cinnamon spice. It is a perfect pairing with grilled salmon, roast turkey, or brie cheese.
Cabernet Sauvignon
California
Vineyards
Beringer Founders’ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from some of
California’s most renowned and emerging appellations. More than half of the
vineyards are in Lodi and the California Delta, which produce grapes of great
intensity and flavor. The rest of the blend comes from coastal vineyards that are bathed in sunshine during the day and cooled by the marine layer at night, ensuring even and steady ripening of the grapes. The combination of these regions offers a wine that is complex and balanced.
Winemaking Notes
The winemaking team worked closely with the viticulture department to
determine when each vineyard reached full maturity. A small amount of Petite
Sirah was added for complexity and depth of flavors. Half of the wine was
aged on seasoned French and American oak for five months to add toastiness
and hints of brown spice to the final blend.
Tasting Notes
The Beringer Founders’ Estate Cabernet boasts flavors of black cherry,
raspberry, vanilla and cinnamon spice. It has a round mouthfeel, supple tannins and a long, lingering finish. A food-friendly wine, it pairs beautifully with a grilled rib-eye steak, roasted vegetables, or aged cheddar.
Dark Red Blend
California
Vineyards
Beringer Founders’ Estate Dark Red Blend is sourced from select vineyards in
the Central Coast, as well as Lodi and the California Delta. The coastal fruit benefits from sunshine during the day and cool marine layer at night, ensuring even ripening of the grapes. The rest of the vineyards bring grapes with great intensity and flavor to the blend.
Winemaking Notes
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah and
Petite Sirah. Oak aging for five months with French and American oak adds
spice notes and complexity to the blend.
Tasting Notes
Founders’ Estate Dark Red exhibits flavors of blackberry, dark cherry and plum complemented by mocha and caramel that lead to a rich, lingering finish. The blend of varietals creates a perfect pairing for a variety of dishes such as slowroasted pork shoulder or mushroom ravioli, but is also rich and supple enough to enjoy on its own.
Merlot
California
Vineyards
Beringer Founders’ Estate Merlot was chosen from vineyards in the Central
Coast, North Coast, as well as Lodi and the California Delta. The California
coast offers grapes that are cooled by maritime influence, while the vineyards in the interior produce grapes of great intensity and flavor. The diverse microclimates of each area produces a wonderful depth of flavor, elegance and intensity.
Winemaking Notes
The winemaking team worked closely with the viticulture department to
determine when each vineyard reached full maturity. Small amounts of Petite
Sirah and Petit Verdot were added for complexity and depth of flavors. Aging
with seasoned French and American oak for five months added toastiness and
hints of brown spice to the final blend.
Tasting Notes
The Beringer Founders’ Estate Merlot is immediately approachable with lush
flavors of blueberry, blackberry and plum complemented by dark chocolate and
spice. Its well balanced, soft tannins make this wine a perfect accompaniment to a variety of foods, such as beef tenderloin, spaghetti bolognese, or aged gouda.