Winery of the Month
August 2022
Heringer Estates | Clarksburg, CA
If you take a drive to the Southeast corner of Yolo County, not only will you find yourself along the scenic route of the Sacramento River, but you’ll notice an abundance of luscious crops just off the Delta. Welcome to Clarksburg. Nestled next to Sacramento County, home to our state capital, this fertile land is no stranger to agriculture and rich California history. It’s believed that the first post office was established in this small town in 1876, but farming families were working the land for nearly a decade before that, including the Heringer family. Beginning as dairy and row crop farmers in 1868, the Heringer’s eventually helped to establish the Delta Wine Country that we know and love today.
Heringer Estates has since become one of the largest wine grape producers in the region. The family currently grows over 24 different wine grape varieties and manages over 650 acres of vineyards, of which 100% are certified sustainable. Guests can visit the historical family estate in Clarksburg to enjoy daily wine tasting and winery experiences at their 150 year-old Heritage Barn. The winery also hosts private events, winery tours, and weddings.
Q&A WITH HERINGER ESTATES
Q: How long have you been making wine in Yolo County?
A: In the 1970s the family started transitioning their land to vineyards and sold wine grapes to wineries across the country. The first vineyards planted were Chardonnay and Petite Sirah. To keep up with the demand, by the 1990s they transitioned 100% of the land to wine grapes. Mike Heringer, our winemaker, graduated from Fresno State with a viticulture and enology degree and established Heringer Estates in 2003. He was the driving force behind converting a basic vineyard operation to the vineyard and winery operation that Heringer Estates is today.
Q: How many acres of vineyards do you farm? Do you farm any other crops?
A: Our 650 acre operation serves winery clients across the United States and supplies the wine grapes for our own direct to consumer winery in Clarksburg.
Q: What wine varieties do you specialize in?
A: With over 24 different varieties it is hard to choose a favorite. Clarksburg has a fantastic climate for wine grape growing with a long growing season and cool evenings, and the Delta breeze helps keep mildew and fungus away from our vines. With these conditions many different wine grape varieties thrive. Our winemaker’s favorites are Petite Sirah, Tempranillo, Malbec, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Tannat.
Q: What is a unique characteristic that makes your winery stand out?
A: Although we are a small, family operation, we grow and produce over 24 different varietal wines and blends in addition to being 100% certified sustainable and herbicide free. Our winemaker also loves new ideas and innovation. We produce some fun products such as our EcoCask line in cans and pouches and our Delta Freeze Wine Slushy.
Follow along with Heringer Estates at heringerestates.com or @heringerestates