A National and State Historic Property
The Historic Beringer Vineyards
The Beringer estate provides a unique glimpse into Napa Valley's past. Graced with stately 19th century architecture and verdant gardens, Beringer is not only one of the most beautiful properties in California's wine country, but as the longest continuously operating winery in Napa, it's also one of the most historic. The entire estate was designated a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Rhine House
Completed in 1884 by architect Albert Schroepfer
Frederick Beringer's former residence is now the center piece of the expansive Beringer property. Exhibiting the fine, detailed craftsmanship of the period, the Rhine House has beautiful exterior stonework, stained-glass windows and interior wood paneling. When building his 17-room mansion, Frederick wanted to mimic the Beringer family's impressive German home at Mainz-on-the-Rhine. Built at a cost of about $28,000 (with the 40 panels of stained glass accounting for $6,000) the Rhine House is a classic example of ornate Victorian architecture with its many gables, turrets and ornaments.
Timeless
Victorian Grandeur
Step inside, and the Rhine House reveals a masterpiece of Victorian architecture and craftsmanship:
- 41 stained-glass panels by New York artist Lambert, featuring Belgian Art Nouveau designs, costing nearly a quarter of the home’s construction budget.
- Hand-carved woodwork and inlaid floors of mahogany, satinwood, maple, and walnut.
- Stenciled wall paintings, embossed wallpapers, and rich paneling in redwood, oak, mahogany, and cherry.
The stained glass remains the house’s most dazzling feature. Each room tells its own story—fish, fowl, fruit, and wine in the Dining Room; butterflies and flowers in the Parlor—while the front doors greet visitors with two Shakespearian knights, said to represent Frederick and Jacob Beringer.
Structurally, the home combines locally quarried limestone on the lower levels, brick clad in California redwood on the second story, and a slate roof imported from Pennsylvania. Its begabled attic, multiple dormers, and tower—taller than any steeple in St. Helena—dominate the skyline. No expense was spared, with indoor plumbing and a dedicated gas plant for lighting.
The Rhine House Today
Today, the Rhine House serves as the heart of Beringer’s premium wine experiences, showcasing our Reserve and Library wines. It is also home to the Wine Club, exclusively for Collector’s Circle and Reserve members. Guests can savor world-class wines while surrounded by the craftsmanship and beauty that have made the Rhine House a symbol of Beringer’s enduring legacy.
