THE STORY
While my dog was getting groomed at The Dawg House in Carmel Valley Village, I decided to pop into the Bernardus Winery Tasting Room to do a serious tasting. I got caught up on all the news Bernardus and was able to take my time with each wine. The biggest news I learned was that long-time tasting room manager Heather Rammel has left Bernardus for Pebble Beach and regional sales manager Jeff Jung now runs the tasting room.
We have celebrated so many holidays with a fine bottle of Bernardus Marinus or Marinus Signature, so I dedicate this holiday post to them. I hope you enjoy the holidays with family and friends and a glass of your favorite Monterey County wine!
My last post about Bernardus is here: 2024 Bernardus Marinus Dinner – Nothing Short of Spectacular!
THE WINERY
I’ve written many times about founder Ben Pon’s vision to grow quality Bordeaux blends right here in Monterey County. With his passing, a few things have shifted, but the consistent factor has been vineyard manager Matt Shea. There is more on their website to read, but here is a little snippet:
Where Dutch Elegance Meets Monterey Terroir
“Built upon lasting relationships with the region’s most respected growers, Bernardus sources its fruit exclusively from Monterey County vineyards. Throughout the years, Mr. Pon, winemaker Jim McCabe and Vineyard manager Matt Shea have worked tirelessly to cultivate strong relationships with local grape growers who set aside blocks specifically dedicated for Bernardus. Their top-quality fruit is the backbone of Bernardus’ single-vineyard wines, including Griva, Rosella’s, Garys’, Sierra Mar, Soberanes and others. “All of the vineyards we work with have similar farming practices,” Shea says.”
”Bernardus has one estate vineyard — Ingrid’s, located in the western part of Cachagua and planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — managed by Matt Shea, a champion of sustainable practices, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to ensure vine and soil health. His goal is to produce the best possible fruit while caring for the land on which it grows. All that time and attention to detail mean the best possible fruit.
“”My philosophy for farming comes from my background of spending 13 years in Oregon growing premium Pinot Noir organically, biodynamically and conventionally,” he says. “I have fused all of those types of farming into an approach that is as sustainable as possible and really tailored to this type of vineyard in Monterey County…”’
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 6 Bernardus wines from this single tasting. Winery tasting notes come from their website or tasting sheets, unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about these wines on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites.
2024 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.7% ABV, $28 (#1682)
Winery Notes: “Our 2024 Signature Griva bottling has aromas of lime zest and lemon curd accented by notes of grassy minerality. The palate exhibits full flavors, hints of tropical fruit with meyer lemon, grapefruit, and a rich mouthfeel are supported by refreshing acidity. This year our Griva Sauvignon Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc with no added Semillon. It was so expressive we decided to bottle it pure.”
My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Sweet pineapple and butter notes on the fragrant nose. Full flavor on the palate of Meyer lemon, tart pineapple with grapefruit zest on the finish. This is my favorite 2024 Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc. October 2025
2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $55 (#1683)
Winery Notes: “Our 2022 Rosella’s Chardonnay exhibits beautiful fruit forward aromas highlighted by rich toasted oak and caramel notes. The palate is intense, exhibiting ripe peach accented by tropical fruits. This wine is wonderfully balanced, it shows the richness and intensity of fruit grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands, while also having a nice long crisp finish to bring all the flavors into focus.”
2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Ingrid’s Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $80 (#1684)
My Review: Pale golden, one shade brown in color. Mellow pineapple, banana and oak on the nose. Citrus on the palate with a lime zest twist. October 2025
Winery Notes: “Our 2021 Ingrid’s Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes spicy, dark red fruit aromas. The wine is very intense and beautifully focused. Flavors exhibit essences of black cherry, ripe berries and subtle toasty oak notes. Our 2021 Ingrid’s Pinot Noir is very structured, allowing for several years of ageing or it can be enjoyed in its youth for its bright fruit expression.”
My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. A yummy nose of cherry, forest floor and deep plum. Wow this is delicious – dark berries, a touch of earth, but so rich, smooth and drinkable right now. I enjoy this style of Pinot Noir. October 2025
2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $70 (#1685)
92 points – Wine Enthusiast: “Baked black cherry, rhubarb, damp spice and dark herb aromas align on the nose of this bottling. There’s an earthy core to the palate, where black cherry, mace and chai flavors make for a spicy sip.” — Matt Kettmann, December 2023
My Review: Transluscent dark ruby in the glass. Mellow SLH Pinot nose with a lighter palate with cherry and cranberry flavors. October 2025
2019 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey Caounty, 14.2% ABV, $125 (#1474)
My Review: Intense dark garnet in color. Forest floor, vanilla and dark fruits – cherry, plum, blackberry – on the nose. Smooth palate of well-blended varieties not yet showing its full potential. Right now lacking a bit of the richness that will show with age. If you must consume it now, decant it! Give this one more time to develop in the bottle. It is going to be a good one. October 2025.
An Earlier Review: This wine represents the “future” – it is so young and still tight. Pepperoni and black licorice on the nose. Stewed fruit with bright fruit on the back of the palate. Meaty. Needs much more time in the bottle. It paired well with the lava cake. November 2024
2018 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $125 (#1447)
Winery Notes: “This 2018 vintage of our highly regarded Signature Marinus exhibits a beautiful, deep robe. The aromas are redolent with dark red fruits and dried spices. On the palate we find bright ripe-red fruit flavors and notes of cedar on a long, rich finish, promising a long life to come! A wonderful example from our estate vineyard!”
My Review: Dark garnet in the glass. Delicious jammy cassis, dark berries and oak on the nose. The palate conveyed all the dark fruits with a tannic finish. This is a good vintage. October 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
“Experience the Luxury of Bernardus Winery”
“Established in 1994, Bernardus opened the doors to the first-ever tasting room in Carmel Valley. We are located about 15 miles east of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach, and showcase some of the best wines in the region. Join us for a tasting on our patio, at our tasting bar, or in our newly renovated signature Pon room, perfect for private bookings.”
The Bernardus Tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open every day:
© Decanting Monterey 2025
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