The holidays in St. Helena have their own character. The town is small, the streets are tree-lined, and the storefronts and wineries that define the rest of the year take on a different warmth when December arrives. For one memorable holiday season, Beringer Vineyards contributed something distinctly its own to the celebration: 109 wine barrels, stacked and arranged into a nearly 32-foot tree at Hunt Avenue and Main Street.
It was, by any measure, a statement — and a genuinely Napa Valley one.
At a Glance
- Installation: St. Helena Holiday Wine Barrel Tree, Hunt Avenue and Main Street, St. Helena, CA
- Donated by: Beringer Vineyards
- Total Barrels: 109
- Height: Nearly 32 feet
- Weight: Approximately 10,500 pounds
- Garland: 232 feet
- Ornaments: Nearly 1,800
- Engineering: Earthquake-proof construction
- Organized by: City of St. Helena and St. Helena Chamber of Commerce
The Tree
The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce coordinates the town's annual holiday programming, and for this installation they partnered with Beringer to create something that reflected the valley's identity. All 109 barrels used in the tree came from Beringer — each one a working piece of the winery's cellar before finding a second life as part of the community installation.
The tree was engineered to earthquake-proof specifications, which in Napa Valley is a practical requirement rather than a marketing detail. At 10,500 pounds and nearly 32 feet tall, it required structural planning alongside the aesthetic one. The result was wrapped in 232 feet of garland and decorated with nearly 1,800 ornaments — a scale that suited the ambition of the project.
For Beringer, participating in the installation was a natural extension of the winery's relationship with the town it has called home since 1876.
The Holidays at Beringer
The winery's own estate is decorated extensively for the holiday season. The historic Rhine House — a Victorian mansion built in 1884 — is dressed for the occasion, as are the wine caves and surrounding grounds. It's one of the most atmospheric times to visit the estate, and the Taste of Beringer Tour continues through the season with its signature seated wine and food pairing experience in the Rhine House.
Exploring St. Helena
The barrel tree brought visitors to the corner of Hunt Avenue and Main Street, but the rest of St. Helena is worth exploring at any time of year. Wineries, restaurants, independent shops, and local events make it one of the most complete small towns in California wine country. The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce and sthelena.com are the best resources for current events and visiting information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Beringer donate wine barrels for the holiday tree?
Beringer Vineyards has been part of the St. Helena community since 1876 — nearly 150 years. Contributing 109 wine barrels to the city's holiday installation was an extension of that relationship: a way to make something distinctly Napa Valley out of materials that already carry the character of the winery's work. Wine barrels, once their cellar life is complete, are a natural material for community projects, and the scale of the St. Helena installation made it a visible, lasting expression of that connection.
How tall was the St. Helena wine barrel tree?
The St. Helena holiday wine barrel tree stood nearly 32 feet tall, made up of 109 barrels donated entirely by Beringer Vineyards. It weighed approximately 10,500 pounds and was built to earthquake-proof specifications. The tree was decorated with 232 feet of garland and nearly 1,800 ornaments.
When is a good time to visit Beringer Vineyards during the holiday season?
Beringer's estate is decorated for the holidays and open for tastings throughout the season. The Taste of Beringer Tour runs year-round and offers a guided food and wine pairing experience in the historic Rhine House. Check beringer.com/pages/winery-events for current offerings and reservations.
What is the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce?
The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce is the civic organization that coordinates business, events, and community programming in St. Helena, California. It organized the holiday wine barrel tree installation in partnership with Beringer Vineyards and the city of St. Helena.
Visiting the winery this season? Learn more about the Taste of Beringer Tour and what to expect from a visit to the historic Rhine House.
