Clear Lake Zinfandel
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed within 3 to 7 years from the vintage release to fully appreciate its vibrant fruit profile and youthful spice.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Barbecued pork ribs, grilled Italian sausages with peppers, and hearty pasta dishes like spaghetti Bolognese.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Beringer, established in 1876 by brothers Jacob and Frederick Beringer, stands as one of Napa Valley's most historic and enduring wineries. In crafting the Clear Lake Zinfandel, Beringer looks just north of Napa to the rugged, high-elevation volcanic soils of Lake County. The Clear Lake AVA is defined by its massive natural freshwater lake, which exerts a cooling influence over the surrounding vineyards, tempering the intense California sun. This unique microclimate allows Zinfandel grapes to ripen slowly, developing concentrated flavors of dark blackberry, wild plum, and characteristic cracked black pepper while retaining a vibrant, refreshing acidity. Traditionally aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, this wine represents Beringer's historic commitment to exploring California's diverse terroirs, delivering a robust yet balanced expression of mountain-grown Zinfandel.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1876 by German brothers Jacob and Frederick Beringer, Beringer Vineyards is the oldest continuously operating winery in California's Napa Valley, located in the historic town of St. Helena. Renowned for its pioneering gravity-fed stone winery and historic hand-dug aging tunnels, the estate has spent nearly a century and a half perfecting its craft across exceptional Napa and Sonoma terroirs. Beringer is celebrated for its commitment to quality, notably exemplified by its flagship Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Private Reserve Chardonnay, alongside acclaimed single-vineyard expressions like Bancroft Ranch. Today, the estate remains a benchmark of Napa Valley winemaking, blending rich heritage with a dedication to expressive, structured, and age-worthy wines.