TO THE RIGHT ESTATE CLIMATE

It's hard not to fall under the spell of Jim Clendenen, founder of Domaine Au Bon Climat Estate. When he created the estate in 1982, he was inspired by his trip to France a few years earlier. Originally from Ohio in the USA, Jim began by studying law at the University of California at Santa Barbara, but thanks to his visit to France in 1976 at the age of just 21, he developed a passion for wine. His discovery of Burgundy and then Champagne was a real turning point for him. On his return in 1978, he started at Zaca Mesa Winery, and 3 years later was ready to create his own domaine by renting vineyards. He didn't stop there, acquiring his own 45-hectare vineyard in Sisquoc in 1998. But he will always keep in a small corner of his mind his memories of Burgundy and Champagne, which have influenced his own philosophy today. Vinification without racking, without sulfur, and malolactic fermentation in barrel, without filtration. Methods that may seem common to some of our estates... and we like it that way!

The Domaine's wines come from some of the most renowned vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley. From the Le Bon Climat vineyard in Clendenen to the Bien Nacido vineyard, we also find the Sanford & Benedict vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos (Santa Barbara County) and Talley in San Luis Obispo County. And if we want to back up our words with some global recognition, here he is on Robert Parker's list of the world's best wineries in 1989 and 1990.

Jim called himself "Mind Behind". Those who knew him will tell you that he didn't go unnoticed. He was enthusiastic and energetic. His daughter Isabelle, for whom he created a special cuvée, ensures that Domaine Au Bon Climat Estate will live on.

Location of the estate

The vineyard takes root in the hilltop town of Sisquoc, between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Maria Valley. The California air gives the wines a special character, always driven by freshness! Le Bon Climat vineyard is located directly opposite Bien Nacido vineyard. Cool climatic conditions are favorable to berry development, and the influence of the sea can be felt in the morning mists and cool afternoon breezes. This gives the vineyard the time it needs to perfect its finest berries.

The estate's wines

The wines are balanced, mineral and complex, with real finesse. The Santa Barbara Chardonnay, whatever the vintage, took us by surprise. Peach and mirabelle plum aromas underpin an incredible freshness of yellow fruit and brioche on the palate. The Pinot Noir from the same cuvée expresses notes of raspberry and ripe cherry. A pleasantly spicy finish.

Cuvée Hildegard was inspired by the Burgundian experience of its founder. This blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté releases harmonious vanilla and hazelnut aromas, giving the wine a gourmet touch. On the palate, some stone fruit aromas stand out. The Cuvée Alexander Knox, on the other hand, draws its resources from the best Pinot Noir terroirs of the Le Bon Climat and Bien Nacido vineyards. The harvest is not of great quantity, but the high quality of the 2017 vintage gives us aromas of cherry and dark chocolate, which evolve after a few seconds into a real perfume of intense cocoa. A very surprising wine! Finally, Cuvée Isabelle was created especially for Jim's daughter. Made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes, the wine is aged in French oak barrels. The 2018 vintage is very rich. Unrivalled power and oaky aromas unravel a very tannic finish. A true Pinot Noir par excellence.