Together with Porsche, we present the Bernardus Racing Box, a limited edition just released for the Monterey Car Week, featuring the No. 30 Porsche that our founder drove during the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. It includes a bottle of Single Vineyard Ingrid’s Vineyard, named after Ben Pon’s wife, whom he met just before the Le Mans race in 1962. It’s a must-have for racing and rally enthusiasts.
Porsche 356 B 1600 GS Carrera GTL Abarth, Le Mans 1962, Sarthe, France
Just like Ingrid—his future wife—Porsche also began to notice Ben Pon's qualities. He was asked to participate in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he partnered with the fast factory driver Herbert Linge. The duo won their class with the number 30 Porsche 356 Carrera Abarth and finished 10th overall.
From Fast Cars to Premium Wine
After his racing career, Ben Pon joined the family business and became responsible for the import of Porsche in the Netherlands. In the late 90s, he left the family business and moved to the United States to pursue his other passion, winemaking. In 1992, he started his vineyard in Carmel Valley, California. His goal was to create a portfolio of wines that could compete with the best wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy. He named the vineyard, located next to the Bernardus Lodge, after his wife Ingrid, from where the grapes for this Limited Edition Single Vineyard Chardonnay in this box come.
Limited Edition 2022 Ingrid's Vineyard Chardonnay
The Single Vineyard Ingrid’s Chardonnay is made following Burgundian tradition. After harvesting, the wine is fermented in small French barrels and hand-stirred every two weeks for added richness and complexity. The wine then rests for about 8 months in 100% French oak, of which 33% is new. The 2022 Ingrid’s Vineyard is one of the best vintages to date. Very rich and complex with aromas of ripe white fruit, tropical fruits, spices, toasted oak, vanilla, and gingerbread.
“Fast cars and fine wine”