1998 Bernardus Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir

Bernardus is named for its founder, Bernardus Marinus Pon. Born and raised in Holland, Pon was a professional race car driver for Porsche and an Olympic skeet shooter before establishing his estate in the Carmel Valley in 1989. Pons is an admirer of Bordeaux wines, and his dream was to establish a Carmel Valley estate that would equal the quality of great Bordeaux estates. Pon now owns 43 vineyard acres in Carmel Valley planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Bernardus makes several dozen wines including the signature Marinus Estate Blend. Dean De Korth, who apprenticed in Burgundy before working at some of Carmel Valley’s most renowned producers, has been winemaker since 2005. Matthew Shea is vineyard manager. Bernardus wines typically earn ratings in the low to mid-90s.

Santa Barbara County is not an AVA, but a region just south of San Luis Obispo that includes the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Wine has been produced in the area since the 18th century when Spanish missionaries planted vineyards. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that producers focused on growing premier grapes for fine wines. During the 1990s more than 10,000 acres of vineyards were planted, and today there are nearly 20,000 acres of vineyards. The region received a big bump in recognition and prestige when the popular film “Sideways” was shot there in 2004. Because the region is affected by maritime weather, it is relatively cool climate makes it ideal for Chardonnay. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and an increasingly adventuresome number of varietals are also grown successfully in Santa Barbara County.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.