This weekend we went to Bernardo Winery for a wine tasting. It is hidden amongst the homes and golf course in Rancho Bernardo (an area of San Diego County) and is favorite of the locals. The 121 years old winery has been family owned for 3 generations. It is fully functioning and best known for its red wines, which is what we focused our tasting on. Our wine steward, Carleen, poured us Bernardo Winery’s 6 red wines before and after aeration:
2006 Burgundy
This is the family favorite and both of us could taste why! Before and after aeration the wine was very easy to drink. The flavor was smooth and fruity. The alcohol was not overwhelming leaving a great after taste.
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
This was Miss’ personal favorite. Before aeration the wine has an incredibly strong flavor. Cherry and eucalyptus stood out. After aeration the wine was much smoother. This would be wonderful slightly chilled and served with a nice summer dinner out on the patio.
2006 Merlot
Before being aerated the wine was very dry and earthy. We could feel alcohol burn in our chests and our mouths physically felt dry. After aeration the wine completely changed. It tasted lighter and fruitier. This would go great with a cheese platter.
2009 Meritage – Private Reserve
The first thing both of us notices was the scent. Eucalyptus mingled with the grape. Just breathing it in made us both relaxed. The color is rich and clear. The taste of the wine didn’t change with aeration. It was delicious before and after. It is simply a beautiful wine!
2009 Primitivo – Private Reserve
This wine smelled like a chianti, but the taste is much sweeter. It was quite strong before aeration. After aeration the flavor and sweetness smoothed out. This wine would go great with a very rich dinner.
2006 Estate Syrah – Private Reserve
Both of us agreed that this wine was worth the wait. We appreciate a good Syrah, and this is a GREAT Syrah! Aeration didn’t make much of a difference to the smooth flavor. It was fruity and just sweet enough that you can drink this on its own or with a light meal. This wine is so good, I purchased a bottle to take home!
The Tasting Room is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 6pm. It is $8 for 5 tastes.
When we finished our tasting of the Bernardo Winery reds, Carlene was kind enough to pour us a glass of champagne. This champagne is light, not too sweet or fruity, and has just the right amount of bubbles. It is the kind of champagne you could drink a lot of and not wake up with a raging headache. It was so refreshing, on a nice summer day, after drinking all of that red wine.
One of the best things about Bernardo Winery is the Winery Village. Because the village is on the winery property we were able to sip our glasses of bubbly while we explored. We watched a glass blowing class at Stone & Glass Studio, peeked in on the set up of a wedding at Rosario’s, wandered into the Barrel Room and grabbed bagels at the Sweet Pea Coffee Cottage. Our personal favorite is the Sweet Shoppe because they will give you a sample of chocolate perfectly paired to the wine you are drinking. This shop also carries a line of chocolates that will tell you what wines it should be paired with.
Every Friday, from 9am-noon, Bernardo Winery hosts a Farmers’ Market. Every Sunday (from March through November) there is live jazz on the Tasting Room Patio. Follow Bernardo Winery on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their upcoming events.
We love Bernardo Winery and plan on returning to do a tasting of their white wines and have lunch at Cafe Merlot.
This tasting was made possible thanks to great deal we found on Groupon for Bernardo Winery. All statements are our opinion and our opinion only.
Good to know! I go there Friday mornings for the farmer’s market and have always wanted to do the tastings. I think it would be a fun date for the hubs and I. Thanks!
This Friday night they will be hosting the first ArtWalk from 4-8pm. They will have live music and artwork by local artists. All of the shops, Cafe Merlot and Tasting Room will be open too.
So nice to meet you !! you we’re so much fun !!!!
come visit us again and take a better photo of me…argh !
keep up the good work ….hope to see you soon !
Hi Carlene! We had so much fun with you too. What is the name of the aerator you used?
Would love to hear comments…If you have been using any of the wine aeration devices there is a new one just on the market called the VinOair by Cork Pops. I have used the pour through into the glass wine aerators such as Vinturi and thought nothing could compare.
I personally have the Vinturi aerator at home, but Carlene at Bernardo Winery used a different one for us. It seemed to work great and was more compact. Let me see if I can find out the brand name for you. I have not used VinOair.
Yeah!!!! That winery is down the hill from the house I grew up in! Glad you went over there and glad you liked it!
-Poway kid Tami
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