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Beringer, Chardonnay (California, NV)
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By Daniel Min · Tasted 2019-12-14 · Published 2026-09-14 · Updated 2026-09-14
At a glance
Critic listed on Vivino: 89 (Oct 2018) · 87 (Mar 2016) · 88 (Dec 2012), repeating in the 86–89 range year after year
Market note: Price confirmation pending (US$5 per 750ml ex-tax (Wine-Searcher, Aug 2026)). Beringer was founded in 1876 in St. Helena, Napa Valley, and is generally counted as Napa's oldest continuously operating winery (it was also the first in California to offer public tours and tastings after Prohibition ended in 1934). This California Chardonnay is the brand's entry-level, mass-production line.
What this wine is
Beringer was founded in 1876 in St. Helena, Napa Valley, by Jacob Beringer, and is generally counted as Napa's oldest continuously operating winery. The Beringer family sold to Nestlé in 1971; the winery then passed through Texas Pacific Group (1996) and Foster's Group (2000s) before joining Treasury Wine Estates in 2011. This California Chardonnay is the cheapest, entry-level line within that brand — 100% Chardonnay, listed on Vivino at 14.6% alcohol.
What the world says
The Vivino community of 3,504 rates it 3.6 on average. Critic scores listed on Vivino repeat year after year, mostly in the 86–89 range (89 in 2018 is the high point) — a steady, decent, crowd-pleasing Chardonnay rather than anything remarkable. The flavor notes lead with oak, vanilla and butter (120 mentions), followed by peach-and-apple stone fruit (114) and citrus (70). At 4.5/5 intensity it has some heft, though acidity sits at an unremarkable 3.0. Vintage by vintage, aside from a 2.7 in 2009, it stays mostly between 3.3 and 3.8.
How I drank it
December 14, 2019, 3.0 stars. "Pretty good with California pizza. Crisp chardonnay."
The same day I logged Clos du Val Pinot Noir 2016 at 4.0 — also in this batch. The note is short, so I won't add interpretation beyond it. My 3.0 is 0.6 below the Vivino community's 3.6.
Vivino community data
NV vintage rating distribution (3504 ratings, average 3.6)
| 5★ | 252 (7%) | |
| 4★ | 1219 (35%) | |
| 3★ | 1676 (48%) | |
| 2★ | 295 (8%) | |
| 1★ | 62 (2%) |
Most-mentioned aromas
| Family | Mentions | Top keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | 120 | oak 46 · vanilla 36 · butter 35 · baking spice 1 · brown bread 1 |
| Stone fruit | 114 | peach 45 · apple 31 · pear 18 · apricot 7 · melon 4 |
| Citrus | 70 | citrus 46 · lemon 15 · grapefruit 4 · citrus zest 1 · lemon zest 1 |
| Tropical fruit | 45 | pineapple 21 · tropical 18 · mango 4 · jackfruit 1 · lychee 1 |
| Earth | 28 | honey 11 · minerals 6 · stone 5 · smoke 2 · earthy 1 |
Structure: Acidity 3.0/5 · Intensity 4.5/5 · Sweetness 3.0/5
Average by vintage (all vintages: 3504 ratings, average 3.6)
| Vintage | Average | Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2.7 | 38 |
| 2010 | 3.6 | 91 |
| 2011 | 3.3 | 131 |
| 2012 | 3.5 | 349 |
| 2013 | 3.5 | 421 |
| 2014 | 3.6 | 425 |
| 2015 | 3.5 | 228 |
| 2016 | 3.7 | 308 |
| 2017 | 3.5 | 286 |
| 2018 | 3.7 | 429 |
| 2019 | 3.6 | 140 |
| 2020 | 3.6 | 63 |
| 2021 | 3.7 | 155 |
| 2022 | 3.8 | 82 |
My original note (Vivino, 2019-12-14)
“Pretty good with California pizza. Crisp chardonnay.”
Frequently asked questions
What kind of wine is Beringer's California Chardonnay?
The entry-level California Chardonnay from Beringer, founded 1876 and Napa Valley's oldest continuously operating winery. 100% Chardonnay, 14.6% alcohol, a style built on oak, vanilla and butter over peach and apple. Vivino community average: 3.6 (3,504 ratings).
How much does it cost?
Price confirmation pending (US$5 per 750ml ex-tax (Wine-Searcher, Aug 2026)).
What food pairs with it?
The Vivino community suggests pork, vegetarian dishes, poultry, and rich fish like salmon and tuna. In practice, it held up fine with pizza too.
How does it compare to Beringer's higher-tier wines?
This California Chardonnay is the cheapest, mass-produced tier within Beringer. The brand also runs higher Napa Valley Reserve-level lines separately, but this label's precise vineyard sourcing and oak regimen aren't listed beyond "California."