We set outside on semi shaded seating but when the west sun bore in they were quick to put up large umbrellas. Patio is dog -friendly (if your dog is). Service was quick and the pours were generous along with tastes of some wines not on the tasting menu. Food was available but we didn't partake. Tasting fees are average for the area but they do have a discount if you buy a minimum in wine. They had some nice wines so we bought 4 and the tasting fees were comped. We would recommend. read more

Had a great time at Bernardus winery for tasting today. We came here as a part of the Carmel Valley Trolley and had a blast. The ambiance is lovely and we were greeted by staff right away. Our wine tasting had four tasting. The wines we tasted were Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Bordeaux blend. Our favorite was the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. We bought the Chardonnay. A great winery to go to if you are in Carmel Valley with great vibes! read more

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Me and my wife came to this winery for her birthday. When we entered the winery we were greeted by staff. The winery had a great setup and selection of wines. Our wine tasting had four tasting. The wines we tasted were Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Bordeaux blend. Our favorite was the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. We bought the Chardonnay. The customer service is top tier and the vibe is really chill. A great winery to go to if you are in Carmel Valley. read more

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This was not our first time here and definitely won't be the last. Sally was our pourer and I don't think that I have had a better experience in all my years of wine tasting! She took the time to explain the wine making process for each varietal she poured. To me this just amplifies the wine tasting experience to another level. Thank you Sally for pouring such delicious wines and I hope your pumpkin won the contest! read more

Bernardus Winery - Sally snapped this photo of us enjoying the Ingrid Chardonnay! - Wineries Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Bernardus is both a winery and a beautiful resort. We had considered staying at their resort located not far from their Carmel Valley tasting room, but opted to stay closer to the ocean and downtown. But we knew that we wanted to try their wines regardless. Let's start at the beginning, which was quite frustrating. I made a reservations several days in advance on Tok. We were just down the road at another tasting room when noticed we would likely be 5 minutes late. I called the tasting room several times and no one answered. I checked their website and there was some conflicting information about if they were open that day. We noticed nobody in the parking lot as we drove by and became a little concerned that perhaps they had closed early. We decided to go visit anyways and we are so glad we did. There was one server, one other couple tasting, and a member picking up. The server seemed a bit stressed and frantic, so we did our best to make it easy on her. I noticed the review on 7/27 said something about no dogs, however we brought our small beagle and there was nothing said about this to us. The sever even brought out a water dish for her. I too, would be frustrated if that were my experience. The tasting space was unique in that it was an old Bank of America building. As evident by the overnight drop box. Kind of cool! They've created a nice outdoor patio with plenty of umbrellas and seating. It was quite enjoyable outside. The wines were pretty nice, mostly from the Santa Lucia Highlands and surrounding Monterey County AVA's. We were treated to two different Rose's on arrival, which were having a bottle sale. We're always looking for a good pool wine and these definitely did the trick. Especially at price of under $20/ bottle. We were able to do a few side by side tastings which were pleasant. And even given a few off-menu splashes. We left with several bottles, mostly because we shoot for the waived tasting fee. But also because we love having bottles to reminisce on trips. Their price points were also great. While Bernardus was not my absolute favorite on this trip, I would still return to try some of their Pinot Noirs. read more

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Ambiance: Winery Perfect for casual wine tasting, but not ideal if you're hoping for the vineyard experience. Service: Good Our server was very attentive and super bubbly. She went through the wine list and gave her honest opinions on flavors and parings. Wine: Good Their selection of wine was good. I personally prefer fuller body and new age wine. But it is a great for people who have a palette for lighter wines. I loved their chardonnay- tastes like candy! Parking: Street read more

Bernardus Winery - a glass of wine on a table - Wineries Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Cute tasting room and comfortable patio! Service was great and the wines were enjoyable. Tried a sauv blanc that wasn't a typical taste profile of the grape. Fun! read more

We had an amazing tasting. Ivy our hospitality host was extremely knowledgeable & gracious. She gave us a detailed explanation on their different vineyards. Their Pinot's were delicious. We will definitely be back to this wonderful winery!! read more

Avoid Bernardus Hotel - Overpriced, Underwhelming, and Not Worth the Hype We stayed at Bernardus Hotel for one night to celebrate my birthday and my wife's baby moon. What should have been a special, relaxing experience turned out to be a massive letdown. Yes, the grounds and ambiance are beautiful--but don't be fooled. The service? Barely 2 stars, and that's being generous. Let's start with the spa. We booked 50-minute massages and asked to extend them to 90 minutes while en route. We were told they couldn't accommodate because there were appointments right after us. Fair enough--except no one used the massage room after we left. Suspicious. We asked to check in early (and were willing to pay for it) but were denied right as we arrived. At check-in, they offered us a glass of wine--nice gesture--except they never actually gave us any. Just...forgot? Then the valet. We specifically asked him to bring in my wife's Yeti water bottle (she's pregnant and didn't want to carry it around). He assured us he would--but of course, it never showed up with the luggage. And those massages? We were charged a staggering $680 for two 50-minute sessions that were easily the worst we've ever had. My "deep tissue" massage had no pressure at all, and my wife's prenatal massage was essentially an oil rub. No real technique, no relaxation, no skill--just a waste of time and money. It honestly made us wonder if these massage therapists were even licensed. Staff were generally friendly but not the least bit proactive or accommodating. There's clearly no focus on customer experience here--everyone we encountered seemed indifferent and undertrained. When we finally got to our room, we were greeted with a small plate of dried fruit and two macarons. Nice touch--but when we tried to order more macarons through room service (they weren't on the menu), we were told "no," but that they could bring us cookies instead. What kind of luxury hotel can't offer more of a basic amenity they already gave us in the room? This stay cost us nearly $1,400 (yes, one night + two massages), and what we got was a below-average experience at best. Food was okay--nothing memorable. Service was unpolished and inconsistent. For a property that markets itself as upscale and charges accordingly, they completely miss the mark. If you're thinking about staying here--don't. There are plenty of other places in Carmel Valley that actually understand hospitality. Bernardus is a textbook example of style over substance. Huge disappointment. read more

I came here for a tasting on a Saturday. I ended up leaving with a bottle of Chardonnay. This is definitely a winery for those who like the lighter wines. The price for wine tasting was pretty hefty. I bought a $50 bottle of wine and my checkout for tasting + bottle was $95. I guess I've been spoiled in Sonoma where the purchase of a bottle waves your tasting fee. Servers were great through! The drive out to this winery is absolutely stunning. read more

Bernardus Winery - Inside - Wineries Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Friendly, accommodating and intelligent gentleman greeted us during the week. WE LOVED our short experience and purchased some Bordeaux - Thank you for your warmth - Jim & Jeannie read more

Stayed the weekend in the area for a friend's bday and wanted to do at least one wine tasting. We stopped in and were met with similes and friendly faces. We had a dog so we got seated on the patio and got to drinking. The guys who were working that day were great. Lovely lads. We ended up getting a bottle of red to go and had a great time. Would recommend! read more

Although we checked (too far in advance, a few months) we were not allowed in with our dog. We were told that dogs are no longer allowed on the patio or on the premises due to too many incidents. At this point, not a dog friendly establishment (unless your dog is a service dog). We were so looking forward to this experience. We will not ever be back. read more

And absolutely beautiful setting. I have eaten in the dining room and outside on the patio. Food and service is always excellent. It is a special treat to go there! read more

Our group visited several wineries in Carmel Valley on Saturday. We all ranked Bernardus as the best overall experience. The venue is very nice, both the outdoor and indoors. As it was chilly, we sat indoors in a private room which was very comfortable. We had scheduled an appointment, which is advisable, as it is a popular winery. We were quickly seated and served our first glass of wine. The tasting pours were generous and we tried quite a few of their wines. The service was excellent; friendly, informative and catered the the many preferences of our group. The wines were very good, notably the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir received rave reviews from our group. Overall, a great day and I would highly recommend a visit. Be sure to make reservations to assure the best experience. read more

My friend and I came for some wine tasting. We had a lovely time, great service and all around good time. That was all dampened by the fact that they charged my cc twice and when I called them Three times, they never bothered to return my call. This is no way to conduct business. They did finally remove the second charge. But come on a return call would have been nice. read more

This was the second tasting room of our trip. We were served right away! Phillip helped us out, and was great. Him and the rest of the hosts were very friendly and quick to serve and start up a quick conversation. There were a lot of people here, before us and while we were here- so they were busy for a Friday afternoon. It was also a bit loud inside, but it was our second tasting room of the day, so it didn't bug me that much. :) I could see though how it could bother some folks. Luckily, they have multiple seating options both in and outdoors. I was impressed with all the options that they had for sitting areas. There was a private room with a long table that could sit about 10-12 people for a more "private" tasting. Next to that there was a couple of couches that looked like a living room. Then of course the tasting room area with a counter, no bar stools. One table with 4 bar stools. Then outside they had a large patio. That caught my attention, that they were able to accommodate a lot of parties. The wine was good too. A Good mix of reds and whites. We had a complimentary tasting here with our stay with one of the local lodges. We were supposed to get the "basic" tasting, and Phillip ended up letting us taste some of the more expensive wines, which was fun. Pour sizes were generous. Another friendly plus was that as my friend and I were attempting to take selfies outside, Phillip came running out to our rescue to take a real picture for us. It was very kind of him. So if your party needs this, ask and I'm sure they would be willing to accommodate. They have their barrels set up very nicely out front and it makes a great photo! A good choice to stop if you are in the Carmel Valley. read more

Bernardus Winery - Bernardus Tasting Room front - Wineries Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

Bernardus has been my go to winery for the past couple years, and I will never stop returning. I have had a wonderful experience each time and always recommend Bernardus first when asked about wineries in the Valley. I highly recommended not only because of the kind staff and tasty wines, but also for the ambience. The outdoor seating is perfect and isn't too fancy. Philip is extremely knowledgeable and friendly, he has been the highlight of each visit. read more

Joined the club on a tour, ordered wine six months ago. Never received the wine, no one answers the phone, left message and they won't return my call. We live in Campbell, supposed to have it mailed the wine. Now we are forced to make a trip because they won't communicate. Terrible business. Never experienced this from a winery before. Very disappointed. read more

Was staying at the Bernardus lodge and they mentioned showing them your room key can get you a complimentary tasting ... 2 whites (sauvignon blanc and chardonnay) and 2 reds (pinot noir and their flagship wine). their reds were big and delicious. Next time will do an all red tasting. This place was packed, I mean full house both inside and finding a place to park. But it's worth it. The people there are so nice, knowledge of wines but not pretentious and willing to educate and accommodate depending on your wine preference. We also ordered a cheese and charcuterie plate which was generous, delightful and hit the spot. Some hard cheese (cheddar and manchego), some soft cheeses (brie and perhaps goat in a olive oil/garlic mix) and a wonderful blue cheese. Multiple types of salami and two different types of cured meats. The place was fun, the wines memorable, the food tasty and the people awesome. Loved it! read more

Went here with my girl. Staff was very friendly and even gave us an extra pour of something not present on the menu. Very tight and cozy inside. Wines are very much cool climate style, high acid!!! Chardonnay was my favorite. Pinot was decent. The red Bordeaux style blend just wasn't well made, not the right site and climate for those varieties around there. As I stated staff was awesome and they recommended some places nearby for lunch. Ended up buying bottles of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to tuck away for a few years. Worth a visit but their wines are all over Carmel and Monterey shops too! read more

Incredible; we did a walk of the vineyard with Matt the vineyard manager who gave us a complete tour and history of the property from when it started through today, and did a beautiful tasting in the middle of the vines on a stunning day. Absolutely wonderful and we cannot wait to be back! Oh and the wines were simply delicious! read more

We have never heard of this Winery in Carmel before visiting for a tasting. The experience was wonderful! The wines we tasted were excellent leading us to buying numerous bottles of our favorites (and joining their wine club). In addition to the excellent wine tasting we have to shout out to Roark and Philip who were our experts teaching us about their wonderful wines. They are knowledgeable, friendly, professional and humorous which we just loved! Our experience was so enhanced by these two gentlemen and we are grateful for meeting them. We'll be seeing them in March. read more

The staff are pleasant and the environment is welcoming. I highly recommend tasting here when you are in the valley.

We stopped in after a day of driving up and down Highway 1. We didn't stop in many tasting rooms on our trip, but this one was right on the way out of town right as we cut across the middle of nowhere to get back to the 101. There is a lodge in town with the same name that was sold a few years back so they are no longer connected. $12 for a tasting flight of four wines is a bit steep, but after a day of hairpin turns I needed a break. There are plenty of other tasting options and this is just the one we rolled with. We came in not long before closing time so we made it pretty quick as the sun was starting to set. The room had another couple in it and we didn't get the most personalized experience as the attendant would pour our samples and then walk away to talk to some guy about the register not working correctly, but I didn't mind much as we wanted to taste and hit the road. The wines were good. Highlighted by the 2014 Pinot. Fruity, good nose. Overall, a solid wine. The town of Carmel Valley has an abundance of tasting rooms do you have plenty of options. Bernardus was a good choice. read more

Lovely area to sit and enjoy outside. Tasting fee $12. One tasting fee refunded for every $75 spent on additional purchases Served with crackers too 1st taste: 2016 Griva Sauvignon Blanc. $24 2nd taste: 2015 Monterey County Chardonnay $25 3rd taste: 2014 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir $35 4th taste: 2010 Marinus - Flagship Wine $65 served with chocolate covered coffee beans. read more

We had a lovely afternoon tasting. We didn't have a reservation but they still fit us in. Sally was fantastic, very knowledgeable and engaging. I learned so much about malolactic fermentation and why the wines that have more of that provide my fav buttery warm Chardonnay flavor. read more

We were excited to try this winery and both us and our family arrived separately at the site a bit early. It was about 10:50 am and we decided to sit at the patio and catch up until it opened at 11am. An employee came out and was extremely rude and told us we were being very disrespectful to sit there before they opened. We moved to our cars and waited until 11 to still see if we could make the visit work but at about 11:10am, another employee said they weren't going to open until 1pm for some unknown reason. We visited 2 other wineries that day and joined both their memberships. Have been to many wineries but never experienced such anger and bad will from a winery employee. Will never visit this place again and am surprised they receive any guests. read more

went for wine tasting on a Friday and patio was lovely and nearly full. server was not informative; tasting was $30/person and she disappeared after the Chardonnay. Left and told no one! Found Sally, who completed our service; was very knowledgeable, but had too many to handle. Note to all: shush your loud talkers who get louder as they drink and please don't bring toddlers to a winery. Dogs are welcome! Probably one of the worst "tastings" out of nearly 100 partly due to wine, mostly to bad service, partly to rude guests. read more

The tasting sizes here are very generous and the wine is delicious! We came here for our honeymoon and they gave us two free small bottles of wine! The patio is adorable and cozy. I definitely recommend this place! read more

Bernardus Winery - Wineries Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

In essence, science is a perpetual search for an intelligent and integrated comprehension of the world we live in -- Cornelius Bernardus Van Neil Part #1 of 8 Carmel Valley tasting room experiences I have no comprehension for what occurred yesterday at this winery. Bernardus Winery is one of the most recognized names in the Monterey area. Besides the winery, the owner Ben Pon operates a highly regarded lodge and rstaurant in the area. He appears to be an interesting man who raced Porches when he was younger, participated in the Olympics as a skeet shooter and operated a wine distribution firm in Holland. But his staff either have no common sense or are lacking basic human empathy. This was our second visit during a second tour of the Carmel valley wine area. It was a stop I missed last summer but wanted to rectify it on this go around. My Monterey Yelp friend who went with me last year joined me again for the day's winery hopping. We entered a crowded tasting room but found a spot at the corner of the longer bar. There are two types of tastings, one standard and one premium. As I wanted to try the SB and the Marinus, we opted for core as they were both on that tasting. We both hate crowds so we tasted outside on the lovely patio. For some strange reason we were the only ones outside on such a lovely day. The first wine was the SB and it was quite lovely. A nice grassy acidity makes this a lovely sipping wine and perfect for summer. You can generally find this for $11.99 to $15.99 in stores so do not buy it direct from winery at $18 I went inside to get next taste...went back to corner of bar...put down glasses...and saw a man lying on ground who had collapsed and was being attended to by either his companions or other wine tasters. his eyes were closed. It looked like he was fading away. Shaken, I went outside without wine and started to tell my friend the story. We went back inside, a bit unsure as paramedics arrived. They were working on him in the corner right where we had started this visit. Now the surreal part: everyone else kept drinking!!!! Here is this guy with paramedics around him and no one stopped what they were doing. I walked up to the bar and said: "I thought you'd guys would be closing." Cheerfully, the young girl filled our glasses with Chardonnay and stated "Of course not. Here is your next taste." People looked at me like I was weird for even mentioning the guy who may or may not be dying 5 feet away from me. We walked outside...put the glasses down in complete disbelief. "Why wouldn't they at least shut the tasting room and have everyone outside why the guy gets worked on?" My friend stated: "Geez, give the man some space and privacy. That's terrible! I can't finish tasting here." It certainly gave us a bad feeling not only to drink wine, but also of the winery itself. We didn't continue and just left our glasses and drove down the street to a different tasting room. I'm still in complete shock the winery didn't close off the area while the paramedics were there. I assume everything turned out okay because I see no news reports of a man dying in a Carmel Valley tasting room but still. It seemed rather cold and heartless; yet another example of how commerce (Sell more wine!) is what our souls are made of these days instead of basic human decency. And what it says about those people in the crowded tasting room continuing to drink while a man laid on the floor in medical distress is even more appalling. Is that the customer who drinks Bernardus wines? I won't visit here again and I can do without the lovely SB. Not recommended especially if you want to taste without witnessing someone receiving medical assistance or if you want to taste with wine drinkers who have a heart. read more

Hmm... there is really nothing that stood up to write about this winery. Tasting room was okay but really no charactor, and the guy who was poring wine was not really informative either. I personally am oppose to pay to taste, but heck I was there already why not pay $10 to taste, right? I usually don't prefer Pinot, but out of the wine I tasted Pinot was the only wine that I would pay to drink again, and oh the wine is pretty pricy too. There are gazillions of wineries in California which has more personality and tasty wine with much more affordable price, I finished my $10 wine tasting and moved on quickly. read more

Bernardus is one of my favorite tasting rooms in Carmel Valley. The wines are good and the staff is friendly. The tastings are on the inexpensive side, $7.50 for a regular tasting and $15 for the reserve. They have a couple of Sauvignon Blancs, several Chardonnays, a few Pinot Noirs, and a couple of blends. They're all well-made wines, but none impressed me until the 2006 Signature Marinus. It's full of tannins and spice and ages well. If you're in Carmel Valley, Bernardus is a must-stop. read more

When I first walked in here, I thought it was going to be a a super high end snobby place since they own that fancy pants lodge nearby, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a Saturday afternoon and we easily found a spot at the smaller bar area for a tasting. They offer two kids of tastings, the Core for $12 and the Signature for $20. Since this was my 3rd stop already, I went for the $12 tasting. The Sauvignon Blanc was good, the Chardonnay better, the Pinot was fantastic, and best of all was the 2011 Marinus. OMG that blend was delicious. A light full bodied red with a great end. I could drink this stuff all day everyday. Phillip poured our tastings and was very light hearted and fun. We enjoyed our time here and I will definitely be back. read more

Bernardus Winery - Wineries Near Me - Carmel Valley, California

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The first time I went a woman helped us and she was really friendly. So I actually picked up a bottle of their reserve Marinus, which was good but later regretted as I did not feel the wine justified the price. The last time I went, however, this obnoxious man helped us who had a serious attitude problem and was very condescending. Apparently, I did not pronounce Marinus "Ma-ree-nus" correctly. I wanted to tell him to F off, but just figured I would take advantage of the free wine tasting that I would not have wasted my money on otherwise, since as I confirmed a second time their wines aren't all that great. I had two free wine tastings, since I stayed down the street at their lodge. Since I had tried their regular wine tastings before, I didn't want to bother wasting my time and just did one reserve tasting instead. Apparently, he didn't like that. This guy was incredibly snooty, like c'mon this is Carmel Valley, not Napa Valley. The only reason I even bothered to stop off was because it was free and to kill time. Yeah, F off buddy. The reds are ok, overpriced and not worth what they charge in my opinion. Pinot Noir that they were touting was disappointing. If you like whites, you'll probably like this place. They were definitely better than the reds if you're willing to pay their high prices. However, I'm a red lover. Personally, I think you can find comparable wines for much better values elsewhere (i.e. down the street at Joullian's). I recommend Joullian Vineyards Tasting Room much better for their service and exceptional wines for the price, not to be confused with Chateau St. Julien (a different larger winery also down the street). read more

Going into this Wine Trolley tour we were taking, we (all 4 of us) were excited that Bernardus was an option because we love the main lodge/venue because of its beauty and its landscape. This was our second stop on the tour and I must say, originally I was excited, but after visiting here, I wouldn't have chosen at all to go here. The people were rude upon our arrival and did not pay any sort of attention to us, which I found amazing considering we were the only people in the establishment. We sampled 4 different wines, but I was so disappointed with the aura the staff was giving off that it really put me off for the entire experience. I was really looking forward to sampling their wines and learning a little bit about the grapes, growth, etc, but I did not learn a thing because no one spoke to us. Seeing as it is supposedly the "finest" winery in the area, but they can barely welcome you through the door? I was exceptionally disappointed in Bernardus and would not return in the event I visit the Valley for wine tours again. read more

Best wine tasting experience on the entire west coast! The only winery where both whites and reds are equally phenomenal! The staff is absolutely amazing and incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating to allow you to taste literally every wine on the menu! Sally, Collin, Steve, and Naomi made the experience! Each of them catered to us making us feel that they genuinely appreciated us visiting the winery! We can't wait to come back and visit again! This is a wine experience you will only find here! read more

Marinus is one of my favorite wines I have ever had. Taste A Dream is their slogan and you surely will if you try some of their wines. The tasting room has a nice outdoor patio and the staff is always very friendly and knowledgable. Bernardus is a must if you are visiting Carmel Valley. read more

I ordered wine to be shipped from Bernardus Winery in April 2021. The wine did not arrive and I called. Someone answered the phone and said someone from the Winery would return my call. I did not receive a return call. I tried a second time with the same result. I sent emails and guess what? No reply. I sent a letter in the US mail. Once again, no reply. A few weeks ago, I sent another email. This time I got a reply. It said my email had been blocked by the recipient. Not sure where to go from here. read more

After a beautiful day along the Monterey Coast we turned inland to head back to Buellton and there were several quaint tasting rooms along the main drag of this little town in the valley. Overall the wines were very nice but it's getting a 3-Star as the service was lacking, big time. I felt like we were an afterthought or in the way. Granted it was getting late in the afternoon but it wasn't like they were swamped with people. Perhaps because we were only sharing a tasting and not buying a case of wine like the older couple at the other tasting bar. At one point the gal serving us seemed to express a staffing issue to another gentleman working there, and there may have been a register issue too. I know we all have our bad days. Nevertheless, that part all turned me off, who knows maybe we would have considered a larger purchase?! They do get high points for their, 2016 Griva Sauvignon, it was one of the better ones I had on the trip. Their 2014 Monterey Co. Chardonnay, our server said they've been making for 28 yrs, it gets 92 pts on Wine Enthusiast and I enjoyed it too, scoring high marks for me!! Finally, if all the wines we tried here of the reds, really enjoyed the 2014 St. Lucia, a yummy jammy read more