Our Monterey County Chardonnay is assembled from specially selected vineyards, primarily in the Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands appellations. Each selected vineyard contributes unique aromas and flavors creating a Chardonnay of extraordinary character and finesse.

 Our 2020 vintage in Monterey County was heavily influenced by two major wildfires in the Santa Lucia Highlands and Upper Carmel Valley. Red grapes are more susceptible to smoke taint, which renders them undrinkable. Fortunately, there is very little impact on white grape varietals, which make up the majority of our production. So, this year we are once again happy to provide our typical high-quality Monterey Chardonnay for everyone’s enjoyment.

At Bernardus we follow traditional Burgundian methods to create a Chardonnay of the highest quality. At harvest, all our grapes are hand picked after careful evaluation for ripeness. The grapes are then very gently pressed in order to obtain the highest quality juice. We ferment 25% in stainless steel tanks at cool temperatures in order to have bright fruit flavors to blend with our rich, complex barrel-fermented lots. All our barrels are hand-stirred every two weeks until shortly before blending and bottling.

The Bernardus 2020 Monterey Chardonnay exhibits bright white fruit aromas accented by subtle oak notes. The palate is intense and beautifully focused with vibrant peach and tropical fruit flavors along with spice accents. The long finish is supported by a refreshing acidity. Another superb example of Chardonnay from Monterey County!