Bernardus
Bernardus is a winery in Carmel Valley, on the Californian coast near Monterey. It was founded by the Dutchman Ben Pon, whose full name was Bernardus. The winery is known for chardonnay and pinot noir from cool vineyards, and for Marinus, a Bordeaux-style red blend. Here you can read which wines are available and how to drink them.
Bernardus and the wines behind it
Bernardus makes wine from a few classic grapes in a cool part of California. We have a dedicated page about the region and these grapes.
California
From the warm inland valleys to the cool coast near Monterey, where Bernardus is located.
About California →
American wine
An overview of American wine regions and their best-known grapes.
About American wine →
Chardonnay
The grape Bernardus is best known for, here in a full-bodied Californian style.
About Chardonnay →
Pinot noir
A sensitive grape that does well in cool vineyards, such as those near Monterey.
About Pinot noir →A Dutch founder in Carmel Valley
Bernardus is named after its founder, Bernardus Pon, better known as Ben Pon. He came from the Dutch Pon family, which became known for importing Volkswagen and Porsche, and in the early 1960s he himself raced for Porsche's factory team. In the late 1980s, he started a winery in Carmel Valley, a valley near Monterey on the Californian coast. He chose the location for its warm days and cool nights, which allow the grapes to ripen slowly and keep the wine fresh.
Bernardus uses only grapes from Monterey County. The chardonnay and pinot noir come from cool vineyards in places including the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco, where ocean fog tempers the heat. The vineyard for Marinus, the estate's red blend made mainly from cabernet sauvignon and merlot, lies in the upper part of Carmel Valley. Marinus is named after Ben Pon's middle name. The rosé is an exception: Bernardus makes it from grapes from Provence in southern France. Bernardus Lodge, a hotel among the vineyards, is located next to the winery.
In brief
Seven bottles, from rosé to Marinus
Gall & Gall sells seven Bernardus wines. The white wines come first, with the chardonnay also available in large bottles, followed by the red and rosé wines.
Bernardus Chardonnay
Typically Californian chardonnay with butter, tropical fruit and vanilla. Spicy, with a long finish.
Bernardus Chardonnay Monterey County
Peach, caramel and vanilla. Available as a 150 cl magnum and a 300 cl jeroboam, for a celebration or a large table.
Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc
One-fifth of the wine is aged in oak, making it more powerful and rounder than many Californian sauvignon blancs. Grapefruit, gooseberry and tropical fruit.
Bernardus Pinot Noir
Pinot noir from a cool microclimate. Black cherries, summer strawberries and vanilla, with plenty of flavour.
Bernardus Marinus
The flagship wine: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot. Ripe black fruit, liquorice, vanilla and cigar boxes.
Bernardus Rosé
A Californian winery with a rosé from France: made from grapes from Provence. Refined and fruity.
Bernardus is located on the cool coast. To discover what the rest of California tastes like, visit our page about the region.
Ripe fruit, with coastal freshness
Rich and creamy
The Chardonnay is full-bodied, with butter, vanilla, peach and tropical fruit. The Sauvignon Blanc is fresher, with grapefruit and gooseberry, but rounder than you may be used to because of the oak.
Fruit and spice
Pinot Noir is soft, with cherries, strawberries and vanilla. Marinus is more powerful, with black fruit, liquorice and notes of cigar boxes.
Light and refined
The rosé from Provence is refined, light and fruity. A wine for the terrace or with fish.
Average flavour profile of the Bernardus wines. The rosé and Sauvignon Blanc score higher for freshness and lower for power; Marinus and the Chardonnay score higher for power.
How to serve Bernardus
Full-bodied white not too cold, red just below room temperature, and let Marinus breathe briefly first.
White and rosé
Serve the rosé and Sauvignon Blanc at 8 to 10 degrees. The full-bodied Chardonnay can be slightly warmer, at 10 to 12 degrees, so you can taste the fruit and creamy notes properly.
More about wine temperature →Red at 16 to 18 degrees
Pinot Noir is best served slightly cooler, at around 16 degrees. Marinus can be served at 18 degrees. If the bottle is in a warm room, put it in the fridge for about fifteen minutes.
To the glasses →Letting Marinus breathe
A young Marinus has a lot of tannin. Pour it into a decanter half an hour to an hour before the meal; it will become softer and the fruit will come through better.
Decanters →Bernardus at the table
Bernardus wines are full-bodied and ripe, making them a good match for food with some body: creamy sauces, oven-baked fish and grilled meat.
Fish and salad
Goat cheese, grilled fish, fish soup, salad with tuna and sushi.
Creamy and buttery
Pasta with salmon, fish fried in butter, veal and a salad with smoked chicken and cashew nuts.
Duck and mushrooms
Duck breast, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto and poultry.
Red meat
Entrecôte, rack of lamb, barbecued beef and aged cheese.
The right glass for Bernardus
Pour the Chardonnay into a large white wine glass, and the Sauvignon Blanc and rosé into a smaller bowl. For Pinot Noir, choose a large red wine glass, while Marinus is best enjoyed in a tall Bordeaux glass. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Bernardus
Can't find your question here? Read more about wine from California or get in touch.
To California →What is Bernardus wine?
Is Bernardus a Dutch winery?
What is Bernardus Marinus?
How much alcohol is in Bernardus wine?
Is Bernardus wine the same as St. Bernardus beer?
Which glass do you use for Bernardus?
Buy Bernardus
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Bernardus online from Gall & Gall. Gall & Gall has 7.
Prices from October 9, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.