The best wines often begin with a question. In Beringer's case, the question came from a vintage label discovered in the archives: "Beringer, California Mountain Vin Rosé." The year of its origin is unknown. What it sparked, however, is not.
That label became the catalyst for Knights Valley Mountain Rosé, a wine that draws on the history of the portfolio, the character of one of California's most distinctive growing regions, and a winemaking technique chosen specifically to honor both.
At a Glance
- Wine: Knights Valley Mountain Rosé
- Grape Variety: Malbec
- Origin: Knights Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California
- Style: Dry rosé, bright salmon pink hue with a rose gold rim
- Winemaking: Direct press, no skin contact, minimal intervention
- Tasting Notes: Starfruit, watermelon taffy, marshmallow, cotton blossom; Alpine strawberry cream, Casaba melon, ripe feijoa on the palate
About Knights Valley
Beringer has owned and farmed its Knights Valley vineyards since the mid-1960s, when the Beringer family recognized that the region's cobbled alluvial soils were ideal for high-quality wine grapes. The designation appeared on a Beringer label as early as 1974, and the winery was instrumental in securing official recognition for the area in 1983, when Knights Valley received its own American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation.
Located 17 miles north of Beringer's Napa winery in a remote stretch of Sonoma County, Knights Valley lies in the shadow of Mount St. Helena. The terrain is hilly and descends to rocky, alluvial soils formed by ancient rivers. The combination of varied microclimates, well-drained soils, and elevation has made Knights Valley an exceptional producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, and a site where Beringer's winemaking team continues to explore the full range of what the land can produce.
Malbec, the grape chosen for Mountain Rosé, thrives in this environment. It develops the captivating aromas and deep color that make it one of the more expressive red varieties, which is exactly what Beringer's winemaking team sought to draw on for this wine.
The Discovery and the Decision
The vintage label found in the Beringer archives didn't include a year. It didn't need one. Its existence was enough to prompt a question the winemaking team was ready to answer: what would a Beringer rosé look like today, made with intention and grounded in place?
The answer was Knights Valley. The region's Malbec grapes had long been recognized for their aromatic intensity and striking color. For a rosé, those qualities needed to be handled precisely. Too much skin contact would push the wine toward red territory; too little would yield something thin and expressionless. The team chose a direct press technique, separating juice from skins immediately after pressing to capture just a delicate blush and the most delicate aromatic expression of the grape.
The approach reflects the winemaking philosophy that runs through every wine in the Beringer portfolio: minimal intervention, with the vineyard and the variety doing the primary work.
The Winemaking
After the initial press decision was made, the work shifted to balance. Malbec rosé can easily tip too sweet or too heavy; the goal was a wine with genuine freshness and fruit clarity. The team worked through multiple iterations before arriving at a wine that expressed what they were looking for: vivid, precise, and genuinely reflective of Knights Valley.
The direct press technique preserved the wine's pale salmon pink hue and rose gold rim. The aromatic profile that emerged was bright and distinctive, unlike anything already in the portfolio.
Tasting Notes
Knights Valley Mountain Rosé displays a bright salmon pink with a shiny rose gold rim. The nose opens with flinty-ripe starfruit, marshmallow, watermelon taffy, and cotton blossom. On the palate, the wine is plush with bright acidity, delivering flavors of Alpine strawberry cream and Casaba melon before finishing with ripe feijoa.
Drink fresh to enjoy the lush fruit and aromatics at their peak.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grape variety is Knights Valley Mountain Rosé made from?
Knights Valley Mountain Rosé is made from Malbec grapes grown in Beringer's Knights Valley estate vineyards in Sonoma County. Malbec was chosen for its captivating aromatics and the striking color it develops, which allowed the winemaking team to extract a precise blush hue through direct press winemaking without skin contact.
What is direct press winemaking for rosé?
Direct press is a winemaking technique in which grapes are pressed immediately after harvest, with the juice separated from the skins right away rather than allowing any period of skin contact. For rosé, this approach yields a lighter color and more delicate, precise aromatics than methods that allow brief maceration. Beringer uses direct press for Mountain Rosé to preserve the gentle blush hue and fruit clarity of the Malbec grape.
What does Knights Valley Mountain Rosé taste like?
The wine opens with aromas of starfruit, marshmallow, watermelon taffy, and cotton blossom. On the palate, it delivers flavors of Alpine strawberry cream and Casaba melon, finishing with ripe feijoa. It has a plush mouthfeel, bright acidity, and a refreshing, well-balanced finish. Best enjoyed fresh.
When did Beringer first farm Knights Valley?
Beringer has owned and farmed its Knights Valley vineyards since the mid-1960s. The Knights Valley designation first appeared on a Beringer label in 1974, and Beringer was instrumental in securing AVA status for the region in 1983.
What food pairs well with Knights Valley Mountain Rosé?
Knights Valley Mountain Rosé pairs well with light, fresh dishes that echo its fruit and acidity. Good matches include grilled melon and prosciutto, light seafood, fresh salads with citrus vinaigrette, cheese boards featuring chèvre and fresh mozzarella, and lighter summer appetizers. Try it alongside our Grilled Casaba Melon and Prosciutto Skewers.
SHOP KNIGHTS VALLEY MOUNTAIN ROSÉ
Want to see Mountain Rosé with a pairing built around it? Try our Grilled Casaba Melon and Prosciutto Skewers for a warm-weather combination worth repeating.
