Winery Focus: Beringer Vineyards

You know that commercial where the guy sits around a little table with a bunch of kids, and they decide that "bigger is better"?
In winemaking bigger is usually, but not always, "not better".
Beringer, founded in 1876, is definitely one of the behemoths in winemaking. This is not a quaint little family run business, but a huge corporation.
And their ubiquitous White Zinfandel is probably in every grocery store and gas station in the country.
But, there is so much that is good about Beringer.
Once you get past the White Zinfandel level of wines, the quality of winemaking is exceptionally high. The Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay have a long history of high ratings from both Robert Parker and Wine Spectator.
Recently, the Knight's Valley series of wines, which sell for $25-$30 a bottle, are also garnering great press for their high quality.
I have been a Beringer wine club member for years so that I could have access to their single vineyard bottlings and older vintage wines that are only available through the winery. As a club member, I also get a 15% discount on anything I buy.
Beringer certainly doesn't need a commercial from me, but, there has always been this perception of Beringer as mass production and low quality because of the White Zin.
One more thing about Beringer.
If you ever make it to Napa, Beringer is a must see.
The estate is impressive, the grounds are pristine and the tour is one of the best in Napa.
Here's another "one more thing" about Beringer.
They continue to be creative in their winemaking.
Beringer recently introduced the Luminus series of wines. The Luminus Chardonnay received a 93 point rating from Wine Advocate and was featured  in one of our recent newsletters.
The wine is delicious!
$35 at Balaban's.

Tom