Lot #9: Santa Barbara Wine Experience


3 Nights at Au Bon Climat's Rancho La Cuna for 4

Au Bon Climat offers you an exclusive wine experience at its Santa Maria winery, which is located in the beautiful Bien Nacido Vineyard and rarely open to the public. After gaining an insider’s view of the winery, you’ll sit down with the winery staff for a gourmet lunch, a tradition started by the late Jim Clendenen. Adding to an already highly coveted lot, Au Bon Climat invites you for a three-night stay at its Rancho La Cuna, located in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. This spacious ranch house sits on a bluff of 100-acre estate with majestic views overlooking the valley and the estate vineyards.

Lot #9: Santa Barbara Wine Experience

Au Bon Climat (ABC) offers you an exclusive wine experience at its Santa Maria winery, which is located in the beautiful Bien Nacido Vineyard and rarely open to the public.

The late Jim Clendenen founded Au Bon Climat with Adam Tolmach in 1982 and has been the owner ever since Tolmach left in 1990 to pursue his own efforts. Jim was a revolutionary winemaker, largely responsible for establishing Santa Barbara and California’s central coast as a wine region of international fame. A man of great charisma, great cooking, and great passion, he sure knew how to make a good wine.

Au Bon Climat wines are famed internationally and beloved by those lucky few who know them well. You will enjoy tasting wine out of the barrel, an opportunity usually reserved for the winemaker and his team that would strike envy in the winery’s seasoned supporters.

After gaining an insider’s view of the winery, you’ll sit down with the winery staff for a gourmet lunch, a tradition started by Jim. Continuing the tradition, Cellar Master Enrique Rodriguez, who would take up the duty often whenever Mr. Clendenen was away and traveling, will prepare a lunch accompanied by a collection of ABC wines. Thanks to the expansive garden, it is truly a farm-to-table experience. As you partake, Enrique and the staff will graciously share with you their insights into the art of the craft, reflecting on the journey of the wines from barrel to bottle.

Adding to an already highly coveted lot, Au Bon Climat invites you for a three-night stay at its Rancho La Cuna, located in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country. This spacious ranch house sits on a bluff of 100-acre estate with majestic views overlooking the valley and the estate vineyards. It offers three bedrooms, a magnificent living area, and a kitchen that is every chef’s dream. Use it as a launchpad to explore the area or just sit back and relax.

To top it off, the winner of this lot will take home a selection of four magnums from ABC’s elite 2017 Blue Series.

Raise your glass to Au Bon Climat and to the mind behind it all, Jim Clendenen!

2017 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay "Nuits-Blanches au Bouge" (Magnum)
Quantity: 1

2017 Au Bon Climat “Hildegard” Blended White (Magnum)
Quantity: 1

2017 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir "Knox Alexander" (Magnum)
Quantity: 1

2017 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir "Isabelle" (Magnum)
Quantity: 1

Inclusions:
  • 4 guests will enjoy:
    • 3-night stay at the ranch house, Rancho La Cuna (3 bedrooms, magnificent living area, chef’s kitchen)
    • Private tour of Au Bon Climat Winery (not usually open to the public) and barrel tasting
    • Gourmet luncheon prepared by Au Bon Climat Cellar Master Enrique Rodriguez
Limitations:
  • Accommodates up to four adults
  • Lunch needs to be scheduled on a weekday (Friday okay)
  • A minimum of 8 weeks advance notice to schedule your visit to make it the best possible experience
  • Redeem by September 26, 2022
  • Does not include airfare, ground transportation, or meals (except for the one lunch prepared by Enrique Rodriguez)
Donor: Au Bon Climat

Opening Bid: $4,000
 
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