12 Aug Celebrating 35 Years of Bernardus: A Legacy of Elegance in Carmel Valley

This year marks 35 years since Bernardus Winery was founded in the rolling hills of Carmel Valley, a vision brought to life by Dutch entrepreneur and former Porsche racer Ben Pon. From its humble beginnings in 1989 to becoming one of Monterey County’s most iconic producers of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Bordeaux blends, Bernardus has remained true to its mission: crafting world-class wines rooted in place, precision, and personal passion.

I recently had the opportunity to experience that legacy firsthand. After attending a dinner in Los Angeles with the Bernardus team showcasing their current releases, I traveled to Carmel Valley, where I visited the winery and spent a night at the nearby Bernardus Lodge. Opened 25 years ago by Bernardus founder Ben Pon, the winery no longer owns the Lodge, but it still bears the name of its founder and reflects the same elegant, approachable luxury that defines the Bernardus brand.

Ben Pon’s story is as compelling as the wines he inspired. The son of the man who designed the first Volkswagen van, Ben secured exclusive rights to export the vehicle to the United States before pursuing a career in motorsports. He raced professionally for Team Porsche, competed in skeet shooting at the 1972 Munich Olympics, and eventually discovered Carmel Valley while racing on the West Coast. He fell in love with the region and decided to channel his energy into winemaking. In 1990, he established the Marinus Estate Vineyard and began producing Bordeaux-style wines that reflected both the warmth of the region and his European sensibilities.

Today, Bernardus Winery produces around 50,000 cases annually, with half of that dedicated to Chardonnay. The Marinus Vineyard remains the source for all Bordeaux varieties, while the Ingrid’s Vineyard, located on the Bernardus Lodge property and named for Ben’s wife, is planted to seven acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winery also works with 13 top vineyards across Monterey County, including legendary Santa Lucia Highlands sites such as Garys’, Rosella’s, Sierra Mar, and Soberanes, as well as Arroyo Seco properties like Griva and Cedar Lane.

Longtime vineyard manager Matt Shea has overseen farming for more than 20 years and has helped implement sustainable practices, including eliminating herbicides from Ingrid’s Vineyard since 2006. “We’ve only watered Ingrid’s once so far this year,” he told me, “and the canopy is still in great shape.” The Marinus Vineyard, being warmer and more vigorous, receives irrigation early in the season, but it is dialed back by fruit set to encourage deep rooting and concentration.

Winemaking at Bernardus is equally detail-oriented. Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged on the lees with regular stirring to build texture and complexity. The Pinot Noirs, sourced from the region’s most celebrated sites, balance ripe California fruit with freshness and restraint. Winemaker Jim McCabe, who has been with the winery for 14 years, took the lead role in 2023, building on the foundation laid by former winemaker Dean DeKorth. The winery’s president, Jeff Meier, also joined in 2023, bringing 37 years of winemaking experience from J. Lohr.

The Bernardus tasting room, located in a former Bank of America building in Carmel Valley Village, offers a window into the wines and the stories behind them. The large outdoor patio is ideal to sip the wines while enjoying the breeze. For a more intimate tasting space, there is the private room dedicated to Ben Pon. The walls are adorned with photos of Ben Pon and includes his father’s first drawing of the first VW Bug.

Though the Bernardus Lodge and Spa was sold in 2013, the continued partnership between the winery and hotel keeps the brand’s roots deeply entwined with the Carmel Valley experience. The Lodge is a luxurious oasis with spacious rooms overlooking mountains, a full service spa, and restaurant.

Walk the grounds which include a rose garden and Ingrid’s Vineyard and relax under the stars in the adult-only outdoor jacuzzi. And of course, enjoy Bernardus wines with your meals, especially the Pinot Noir or Chardonnay from Ingrid’s Vineyard.

Ingrid’s 2023 Chardonnay offers vibrant acidity and a core of tree fruit and citrus aromas with toasted spice and honey notes and a floral lift. Ingrid’s 2022 Pinot Noir offers aromas of violets and red fruits with dusted cocoa notes, fresh acidity, and velvety smooth tannins.

Now, as Bernardus celebrates 35 years, it stands not only as a testament to Ben Pon’s vision but also to the team that continues to evolve and elevate it. With every glass, you taste a story that spans continents, generations, and the rugged beauty of the Monterey Coast, a legacy built to last.