In 2026, Beringer Vineyards proudly marks 150 years as Napa Valley’s longest continuously operating winery—a legacy built on vision, craftsmanship, and innovation since 1876. This milestone is more than an anniversary; it’s a tribute to generations of winemakers, the beauty of Napa Valley, and the enduring spirit that shaped California wine. Today, we owe a particular debt of gratitude to Bertha Beringer, the daughter of our founder Jacob, whose business savvy and determination not only kept her family’s winery operating during Prohibition but also positioned it to grow and thrive in the decades following the law’s repeal.
Cheers! Wine Is Flowing Again
After 13 long years, the Volstead Act that decimated the American wine industry was finally repealed. In December 1933, the St. Helena Star newspaper reported “unusual activity at Beringer Winery recalls pre-Prohibition days,” and that our winery had “laid out a program of enlargement and improvement to cover a period of several years, the features of which being carried out at present are the installation of a second crusher, the re-coopering of 60 casks, and the construction of a bottling building.” Thanks to the success of Bertha Beringer’s sacramental wine program which kept the wine (legally) flowing during Prohibition, Beringer was once again back in full swing and ready to invest in the future.
Napa’s First Public Winery Tours
Beringer Vineyards was always known as a friendly place where visitors were warmly welcomed whenever they stopped by. But in 1934, we made hospitality official, becoming the first winery in Napa Valley to offer tours to the general public. How did this momentous decision come about? Credit goes to Fred Abruzzini, our senior winemaker at the time. Along with his regular duties, Fred also pitched in as our unofficial yet extremely enthusiastic marketing manager. Because Beringer’s sacramental wine license allowed us to continue making wine during Prohibition, there was plenty of well-aged wine in our cellars. Fred hatched a genius idea: capitalize on America’s revived interest in wine and wine culture after 13 dry years and ensure that Beringer was right at the center of it all.
Beringer Becomes the Napa Destination
| In 1939, the Golden Gate Exposition opened on San Francisco’s Treasure Island, and ever the innovator, Winemaker Fred Abruzzini turned our booth there into an opportunity to introduce the huge crowd of American and international visitors to Beringer Vineyards. Fred created a brochure featuring a map of Napa that showed expo-goers how to find us, among other points of interest, and handed them out by the hundreds. According to Fred, his project was a resounding success, bringing a steady stream of visitors to the winery: “I had over 500 people through at one time, just rows of them.” |  |
Winery to the Stars
|
By 1940, more than 25,000 visitors journeyed to Beringer each year, cementing the winery’s pioneering place in Napa Valley wine tourism history. Apart from our reputation for outstanding wine, many people were drawn by the glamor of Beringer’s famous fans, some of the biggest influencers of the day. Celebrities, including Carole Lombard, Clark Gable, Charles Laughton, Edgar Bergen, Tom Mix, and Max Baer, all made the trek to St. Helena, and Beringer quickly became a must-visit for Bay Area travelers. |
 |
FAQs
What was the Volstead Act?
In October 1919, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, or Volstead Act, made the production and sale of “intoxicating liquor” illegal in the United States. President Woodrow Wilson vetoed the act, but Congress overruled him and the law took effect January 17, 1920. Prohibition was repealed in December 1933 by the 21st Amendment.
How was Beringer Vineyards able to continue making wine during Prohibition?
Despite the law’s ban on alcoholic beverages, Prohibition didn’t overrule freedom of religion, which meant some wineries, including Beringer Vineyards, were able to obtain a license to produce and sell wine for religious purposes, or sacramental wine. Although there were limits on the amount of wine each licensee could sell, this program allowed Beringer to stay in business and retain its staff, unlike so many of its neighbors.
What was the Golden Gate Exposition?
The Golden Gate Exposition was a World’s Fair held on San Franciso Bay’s Treasure Island between February 1939 and September 1940. A 386-acre, artificial island, it was constructed to celebrate the completion of the area’s two, now iconic, bridges: the San Franciso-Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. Treasure Island was designed to become an international airport after the Expo; however, it became a naval station instead, because of World War II.
Does Beringer Vineyards offer tours and tastings?
Yes! In 1934, we were the first winery in Napa Valley to open our doors to the general public and we’ve been greeting visitors ever since. We’re open year-round and offer a wide range of immersive experiences at our historic winery. Book yours here.
Does Beringer Vineyards have a connection to Hollywood?
We do. Along with being a destination for some of the biggest celebrities in the 1930s and ’40s, the cinematic beauty of our estate has made Beringer Vineyards a sought-after film and TV location throughout the decades. We are featured in The Unholy Wife (1956), This Earth Is Mine (1959), A Walk in the Clouds (1995), and Chopped Grill Masters Napa on the Food Network (2015).
