Beringer’s 2003 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
was grown in Bale Lane Vineyard, just north of the winery in St.
Helena, and Gamble Ranch, a vineyard located mid-Valley near
Oakville. At some distance from the cooling influence of San Pablo
Bay, these areas have warm daytime temperatures and restrictive soils
that are key ingredients in growing high quality Sauvignon Blanc
grapes. Beringer’s vineyard manager, Bob Steinhauer, and his team
diligently manage the Sauvignon Blanc’s innate vigor through proper
trellising and other viticultural practices to increase sunlight exposure
and air circulation to the clusters so the vines will produce grapes with
balanced citrus, lush stone fruit and melon flavors backed with a
subtle herbal character.
In 2003, Winemaker Laurie Hook chose to send the Sauvignon
Blanc fruit directly to the press, by-passing the stemmer-crusher, to
protect more of the varietal’s delicate aromas and flavors. She also
fermented individual vineyard lots separately using different
techniques to highlight various characteristics and bring more complexity to the wine. About
30 percent of the juice was barrel fermented and aged for five months in small, seasoned
French oak barrels so soft spice and vanilla elements would be introduced without
overpowering the wine’s bright acidity and fruitiness. In a separate process, Laurie
cold-fermented the balance of the juice to highlight the Sauvignon Blanc’s citrus, grapefruit
and herbal notes.
Producer
Beringer Vineyards – The Beginning
Our history dates back to the year 1868, when Jacob Beringer, enticed by the splendid opportunities of the new world, sailed from his home in Mainz, Germany to New York. However, New York did not appeal to Jacob and after hearing that the warm and Mediterranean plains of California were quite similar to the vineyards back home, he soon made his way to the Napa Valley. It was here that Jacob Beringer, along with his brother, Frederick Beringer, purchased land for the first Beringer Vineyard in 1875.
Beringer Vineyards – Today
Beringer Vineyards holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley. It is also one of the very few wineries that survived the draconian prohibition of 1922, which lasted over a decade. The estate is also in the National Register for Historic Places as a historic district, a status it has held since 2001. With its perfect blend of modern technology and age old traditions, Beringer Vineyards still produces memorable wines that continue to bring recognition to the company and all of Napa Valley.
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