Beringer’s Steinhauer Ranch, renamed in 2003 to honor the winery’s long-time vineyard manager, Bob Steinhauer, lies just northeast of the town of Angwin, at about 1800 feet elevation. Its soil is volcanic with a richly red color and the texture is friable and loose. When Beringer first planted the vineyard, the distinctive character of the grapes was immediately evident, and it was selected as a regular part of the Private Reserve blend beginning in the 1993 vintage. Robust tannins and an earthy finish make this a superlative display of Howell Mountain fruit. Careful attention is paid to vineyard blocks, which are kept separate and vinified with a goal of extracting maximum flavor.
