Napa County CA Archives Biographies.....Beringer, Frederick & Jacob L. 
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Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

BERINGER BROS. -While it is now universally admitted that California can produce
as good wine as any other part of the world, complaint is made that on account
of the dryness of the climate, the wine in aging does not acquire that superior
quality claimed by the vintages of other climates. This defect is acknowledged;
but the experience of practical wine men from the old world take advantage of
the conditions of the new; they have not only entirely obviated this difficulty,
but have made of it a benefit. By tunneling in the hills, conditions of moisture
so perfect have been found that in the case of those taking advantage of it
truly remarkable results are found. This fact was brought forcibly to the notice
of the writer when visiting the cellars of the Beringer Bros., in the northern
outskirts of St. Helena. The cellar itself is an imposing structure of stone,
two-stories high, topped by an additional story of wood, in which is contained
the machinery for receiving, crushing and handling the grapes. The building is
100x44 feet in size, and presents a very ornamental appearance upon the hillside
where it is constructed. On the second story are the presses and fermenting
tanks, while below are the storage casks. Into the hill at the back is run a
tunnel, 200 feet in length, sixteen in breadth and twelve feet in height.
Another of similar dimensions, and connected with it by cross tunnels, will be
run later on. The conditions of temperature were found admirable, and on account
of the tunnels and position of buildings the temperature remains uniformly
low,-in fact this cellar being found as well arranged and apparently as well
adapted for the production of wine as any in the valley. It is probably owing to
this fact, and the practical experience of those at the head, that has given the
wine of the Beringer Bros. its very high reputation wherever introduced. They
find their market chiefly in the East, although a little is sent to Europe,
being appreciated in the home of the vine itself for its excellent quality. The
brandies are handled altogether by the firm of Walden & Co., of New York. It is
the intention of the Beringer Bros., however, eventually to bottle all their
production and place it on the market in that shape. With this end in view they
are yearly storing a portion of the best of their make, having now something
like 250,000 gallons in the cellar. A distillery containing three stills of
latest make, is also a part of the establishment. Last year 60,000 gallons of
brandy was made, utilizing thus all the inferior qualities of wine.

  The place and surroundings are one of unusual beauty, the grounds being
tastefully laid out in park-like form with trees, shrubs and flowers in
profusion, while the residence of Mr. Frederick Beringer, the head of the firm
and its financial strength, adjoining the town of St. Helena, is of rare
elegance and architectural beauty. It is built of stone and hard wood of a
modern style, and with its handsome grounds is considered the finest place in
this part of the valley. The estate consists of fifty-five acres where the house
and cellar are situated, and of 360 acres of hill land, the latter being set out
principally to vines of the better sort, to take the advantage of the superior
quality of mountain-grown grapes. For white wines the Gutedels and Rieslings are
most employed, and for clarets, Carbernet-Sauvigon, Mataro, Carignane,
Burgundies, etc.

  The firm or house of Beringer Bros. consists of Messrs. Frederick and Jacob L.
Beringer. Of these Frederick Beringer, the elder of the two, is the manager and
business man. It is his ample means that has enabled the firm to accomplish what
it has in the way of erecting a splendid cellar, and in carrying out the many
improvements which enable the house to produce its fine quality of wine. It is
to the personal experience in wine-making, etc., however, of Mr. Jacob L.
Beringer, the younger member of the firm, that the practical details of the
whole matter have been carried out.

  The brothers were born in Mainz, Germany, the former in January, 1840, and the
latter in May, 1845. Mr. Frederick Beringer was sent to Paris when young to be
educated, studying at the great St. Louis College. After graduation he went into
business in that city, remaining in all ten years in Paris. He then traveled
extensively through Mexico and the United States, finally going to New York in
1862. He again traveled throughout this continent, until finally in 1866 he
returned to New York and started in business as a maltster, buying barley in
Canada, having it malted in Buffalo, and selling it in New York, a business that
he continued with profit for years, his office being at No. 40 Whitehall street,
New York city. Finally, in 1884, he came to California, all preparations having
been already made, the beautiful house being erected in 1884. The writer found
it still more beautiful interiorly than exteriorly, if that is possible; the
fittings and furnishings are all of the finest and best, from billiard and
reading room to library and conservatory,-singularly elegant and handsome.

  During his residence in New York Mr. Beringer was an honored member of the
famous Arion Society, holding the presidency of it for thirteen consecutive
years, and being the recipient of many beautiful and valuable souvenirs of the
office. His son, Frederick, Jr., has been in Europe pursuing his education in
the college at Mainz, and for three years at Belfort, France. He is now
traveling in this country to complete his education. Mr. Beringer has also two
daughters, younger.

  Jacob L. Beringer, after his education, which was received in his native city,
devoted himself to learning the business of wine-making in every particular,
being in charge of the great wine cellar of Tim & Floske at Berlin for two
years, from 1865 to 1867, as also that of J. A. Harth & Co., in Mainz, in
1867-'68. In 1868 he came to New York and carried on business there until 1872,
when he came to California and became foreman for Charles King, with whom he
remained until 1878, meantime, with the assistance of his brother, planting the
vineyard and building the cellar now utilized by the firm.

  He held the position of Town Trustee of St. Helena in 1878, and is a thorough,
popular and experienced man. He has a family consisting of a wife and five
children.

  "Quality, not quantity," is the motto of the Beringer Bros., and they are
living up to it as shown by the fact that they received a silver medal at the
Paris Exposition of 1889 for their wines, a gold medal at the State Fair at
Sacramento, and also a medal at the Mechanics' Fair in San Francisco,-in fact
wherever they have exhibited they have carried the honors.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.

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