Clear Lake Zinfandel
⏳ Drinking Window
2023 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Barbecued pork ribs, grilled Italian sausages with peppers, and hearty pasta dishes like spaghetti Bolognese.
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1876 by German immigrant brothers Jacob and Frederick Beringer, Beringer Vineyards holds the historic distinction of being the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley. Anchored in St. Helena, the estate spans prime viticultural land across northern California, drawing fruit from well-draining alluvial fans, volcanic benchlands, and cooler southern AVA pockets such as Oak Knoll and Carneros. Across its celebrated white wine portfolio, Beringer emphasizes balance, varietal purity, and stylistic diversity—from the mineral-driven tension of the Napa Valley Sauvignon Blancs to the layered, barrel-fermented opulence of its Private Reserve and Luminus Chardonnays. Viticulture focuses rigorously on third-party certified sustainable farming practices, water conservation, and soil health across all estate vineyards. By bridging time-honored European cellar traditions with modern precision vinification, Beringer maintains an internationally revered benchmark status in contemporary California winemaking.