[Nine17]

Well, you could drive up Carmel Valley to Bernardus. Owned by Bernardus "Ben" Pon, son of the inventor of the "Bulli" van, aka Samba, aka Microbus. Ben Pon has been a Le Mans racer in Porsches (and even did one Formula One race in a Porsche). He has a wonderful Bordeaux-style estate in C-V as well as a world-class hostelry, Bernardus Lodge, with former Highlands Inn chef Cal Staminov. His Marinus is a Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc/Malbec/Petit Verdot estate blend; they also make a nice Chardonnay and a really outstanding Sauv Blanc. And of course, the Porsche connection displayed in the tasting room. Ben Pon has raced an Abarth Carrera in the Monterey Historics of late, is also one of the main food and wine sponsors of The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering. On your way from Cupertino to Carmel Valley, stop and see my friends the Storrs (Storrs Winery) in Santa Cruz...