Carmel Magazine

Dreams Are Poured at Bernardus Tasting Room B Y L A R RY H A R L A N D W hen Bernardus Marinus Pon purchased a chunk of Cachagua wilderness in 1989, he planted the roots for his eponymous winer y. Using the tagline "Taste a Dream," Pon accommodated curious wine lovers by opening Carmel Valley Village's first tasting room in the early 1990s. Pon's dream involved creating a red wine equal to the finest from Bordeaux. The Dutch-born entrepreneur knew that this new viticultural appellation showed great promise in matching the quality of grapes grown in France, and he was determined to prove it. Today the Bernardus estate vineyards in Cachagua grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc, while cultivating Chardonnay in cooler coastal climates. Pon's signature wine Marinus packs a punch in the ongoing Franco- American wine war, winning accolades along the way (the 2009 Marinus earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast). The wine is a sensual blend punc- tuated by the deep, dark berries of Cab, and rounded by other Bordeaux varieties—with a touch of Malbec. The result is a rustic, leathery quality with soft tannins and a hint of eucalyptus from the trees that dot the valley. Now that Pon has sold nearby Bernardus Lodge and the resort's Marinus restaurant, focus has turned to the grapes. Winemaker Dean De Korth's high standards remain, but that original tasting room has received a much-need facelift. "Our tasting room started to look small and out of date aesthetically," says tasting room manager Christina Gray. "Having all the tasting rooms pop up around us was definitely motivation." Wanting to always take the trailblazer approach, Pon expanded the tasting room in a physical sense, but also in terms of the overall experi- ence. A large window now allows natural light to bathe the space, and the additions include bar stools, a lounge with couch seating, a by-the-glass program (with prices generally lower than those seen in restaurants), a decadent cheese-charcuterie-chocolate experience, and a Signature Tasting Room that allows serious oenophiles to sit down and get a satis- fyingly long taste of Pon's dream. Bernardus Tasting Room is located at 5 West Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley. For more information about wine tasting, call 831/ 298-8021 or go to www.bernardus.com 158 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 4 wine notes Bernardus Winery and Tasting Room have a new expanded focus—being overseen by (left to right) winemaker Dean De Korth, tasting room manager Christine Gray and vineyard manager Matthew Shea, but still feature award-winning wines. Photo: Kelli Uldall

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