Navigating Change in the Wine Industry with Bernardus Winemaker Jim McCabe

Wine Talks with Paul K.

The wines of the Monterey Peninsula, and particularly those of the Carmel Valley, are exquisite. It is always just so interesting to have the some grape grown in different parts of the world and be so different...soely on the location and environmental influences of the vineyard.

When tasting Bernardus wines, you taste complexities entirely different than anywhere else in California. These wines are something special and Jim McCabe is responsible.

I also had to alert him to the famed folk guitar store, McCabes in Santa Monica.

You might say Jim McCabe’s side hustle—building guitars—makes him a craftsman twice over, but it’s his day job as winemaker at Bernardus Winery that will have you tuning your curiosity to new frequencies. In this episode of Wine Talks, I invites you to uncork not just bottles, but the entire lived experience of crafting wine in California’s stunning Carmel Valley.

You’ll learn why great wine isn’t just about the grapes, but the ebb and flow of history, land, and a willingness to embrace both tradition and careful, gradual innovation. Jim doesn’t just talk barrel aging or fermentation science; he brings you to the heart of winemaking’s enduring mysteries—the art of blending picks from different harvest moments, the challenge of warding off smoke taint during wildfire years, and the ever-changing dance with nature that means no two vintages are ever the same.

What does it take to draw younger generations to honest wine when technology and taste are shifting faster than vines grow? Jim and I candidly dissect the battle between old-school storytelling and the rise of social influencers, while reflecting on the timelessness of grassroots, word-of-mouth enthusiasm. Along the way, you’ll pick up on the slow, patient work behind the scenes—why relationships with grape growers matter, why incremental rather than drastic change is key, and how history and tradition shape every bottle.

By the end of the conversation, you’ll come away with more than the technical notes of Bernardus’ famed Pinots and Chardonnays; you’ll understand the emotional charge that a simple sniff of a great wine can trigger, and why, whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or new to the wine world, this is a craft that always keeps you guessing, learning, and savoring just one more glass.

1. Bernardus Winery

   • Website: https://www.bernardus.com

2. Hotel Amarano

   • Website: https://www.hotelamarano.com

3. McCabe’s Guitar Shop

   • Website: https://www.mccabes.com

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