Beringer Vineyards

What it's like

Beringer is a historic estate right on the doorstep of St. Helena's Main Street, and the centerpiece is the Rhine House, built in 1884. This is a place where you do more than stand at a bar. Most visits are structured as tours or seated tastings, usually around 75 minutes, so plan on settling in. Tasting room hours are daily 10am-5pm.

Who it's best for

First-time visitors who want some history alongside the wine will find the most here. The Estate Tour & Tasting ($95 per person, 20% off for members) walks through the vineyards, caves and the Rhine House, then ends with a seated tasting of single-vineyard wines. Collectors have their own option, and groups have another. Families are covered too: the Discover Beringer Outdoor Experience welcomes children and well-behaved dogs. Otherwise, tasting experiences are for guests 21 and older.

What to book

Experiences are available daily, and reservations are recommended. Same-day spots may be available if you check with the Welcome Center, or call (707) 257-5771. You can also book at https://www.beringer.com/pages/visit.

• The Estate Tour & Tasting: $95 per person, 75 minutes. The most complete introduction.
• The Veranda Experience: $65 per person, 75 minutes, a seated tasting on the Rhine House veranda.
• Legacy Cave Tour: $35 per person ($15 for 21+ non-drinkers), 30 minutes, with two wines. The shortest way in.
• Discover Beringer Outdoor Experience: $35 per person, 60 minutes, three wines in the estate gardens.
• The Collectors' Experience: $150 per person, 90 minutes, with rare library vintages of Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Beringer Backyard Social: $55 per person, 90 minutes, Thursday-Sunday, for groups of 7 or more, with a charcuterie board and one bottle of wine for every four guests.

There are also a Knights Valley tasting ($65), a Taste of Beringer Tour with seasonal culinary pairings ($95), and a Member Tasting Experience for wine club members. Members get discounts on most experiences.

How it fits into a day

Because the estate is at the edge of Main Street, it works well as an anchor for a St. Helena day. Book a morning or early afternoon tour, then walk or drive into town for lunch and some browsing. Tours are 30 to 90 minutes, so you can fit in one or two other stops without rushing. Wine is part of every plan here, so arrange a designated driver, a hired driver or tour, or a rideshare back to where you're staying.