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Mark Beringer

Winemaker, Beringer Vineyards

Mark Beringer, great-great-grandson of Beringer Vineyards' founding brother Jacob Beringer, was immersed in wine from the moment he was born in the heart of the Napa Valley. As the direct descendant to Beringer's first winemaker and one of the most iconic family names in Napa Valley wine history, he knew from a young age that he would follow in the footsteps of his ancestors. As a young man he spent many hours working in his family's wine store in St. Helena, expanding his knowledge of wine as well as gaining an appreciation for wines outside of the famous region he has always called home.

After a stint in high school working as a stock clerk at the historical family property at Beringer, Mark graduated from California State University in Fresno with an Enology degree in 1990. Eager to immerse himself in winemaking, he spent a year in the cellars at Benziger in Sonoma and then joined Duckhorn in 1992. Mark began as Enologist and worked his way up to Vice President of Winemaking at Duckhorn. In 2009 Mark joined Artesa as Vice President and Winemaker.

In 2015, Mark Beringer came 'home' to Beringer Vineyards, joining as Chief Winemaker and following in the footsteps of acclaimed Winemaker Emeritus Laurie Hook. "I'm absolutely thrilled to be making wines for the very winery that my ancestor built, and be part of the next chapter in this important story of Beringer and of the Napa Valley." notes Mark. Proud father to three daughters, Mark enjoys mountain biking and skiing in his free time as well as traveling with his wife, a commercial pilot. Always happy to return home to the Napa Valley, he adds, "As a winemaker, there is no greater thrill than having great vineyards to work with and Beringer's are second to none. The diversity of microclimates, terroir and locations truly comprise the best of what Napa Valley has to offer and I'm honored to work with them."

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Hugh Davies

Vintner, Schramsberg Vineyards

Named President of Schramsberg Vineyards in 2005, Hugh had already spent many years as a winemaker in the family business. Hugh was born in 1965, the same year that his parents, Jack and Jamie Davies, purchased the abandoned Schramsberg property in the Mayacamas range above Calistoga. As a young man, he earned a master's degree in enology from the University of California, Davis, an undergraduate degree from Bowdoin College in Maine, and honed his skills at Möet et Chandon in Epernay, Petaluma Winery in South Australia, and Mumm Napa Valley.

Under Hugh's guidance, the winemaking team has continued to develop the Schramsberg sparkling wine program through increasing grape sources from over 120 cool-climate sites across Carneros, Anderson Valley, and the Sonoma and Marin coasts; as well as the use of barrel fermentation in the production process; and the expansion of small-lot base wine program to over 300 lots of unique wines. This effort has provided the winemaking team with a much broader base of flavor profiles to utilize when ensuring the quality of the final blends of the 12-14 sparkling wines made each year.

Concurrently, Hugh has led his team in establishing a red wine portfolio and brand with Davies Vineyards over the past 25 years. Replanting of the family's historic hillside vineyards on the Schramsberg property to red Bordeaux varietals was carried out in the 1990s and 2000s. Recognized as the first hillside vineyard site in Napa Valley, the Davies winemaking team has produced J. Davies Estate Cabernet Sauvignon since 2001. The winery's first still Pinot Noir wines were produced in 2009. The Davies Vineyards winery was established in St. Helena in 2012, the same vintage of the J. Davies Estate "Jamie" and the first non-estate Davies Napa Cabernet Sauvignons. In 2017, the Davies Vineyards Grayson Building was opened, providing an intimate space where wine enthusiasts can be educated about the brand.

Continuing on a path that started over 50 years ago, Hugh carries on with the family legacy living on the Schramsberg property with his lovely wife Monique and three sons Emrys, Nelson and Hugh Jr.

Napa Valley: A History of Winemaking

Thursday, July 16, 2020
10:00 AM PDT

RSVP for this Session

Program Materials:

Session Program

Wines:

From Napa Magazine:

Additional Resources:

Join Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, as she hosts a Live Virtual Tasting with an exciting panel of all-star Napa Valley winemakers on July 16, 2020, at 10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. in London. Karen and her guests will taste top wines and talk about the history and evolution of America's most dynamic wine region.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about the many historical wine producing families that put Napa Valley on the map
Understand the key events in time that put Napa Valley at the forefront as a winemaking region
Recognize Napa Valley's diversity of wines and styles
Understand Napa Valley's rich history and long-standing sustainability initiatives
Understand Napa Valley's place in the wine world

Moderator:

Amanda McCrossin, Sommelier

Karen MacNeil,
Author

Vintners:

Bo Barrett, Chateau Montelena Winery

Bo Barrett,
Chateau Montelena Winery

Mark Beringer, Beringer Vineyards

Mark Beringer,
Beringer Vineyards

Hugh Davies, Schramsberg Vineyards

Hugh Davies,
Schramsberg Vineyards

Alycia Mondavi, Aloft Wines

Alycia Mondavi,
Aloft/Charles Krug

Oscar Renteria, Tres Perlas

Oscar Renteria,
Tres Perlas

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Napa Valley Rocks: An Exploration of Place

Napa Valley Varieties: Speaking Confidently The Valley's Top Grapes & Wine Styles

Webinar Presentation

Napa Valley Varieties: Speaking Confidently The Valley's Top Grapes & Wine Styles

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: A Global Perspective

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: A Global Perspective

Wine On Earth: Napa Valley

Wine On Earth: Napa Valley

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