Lot #30: Au Bon Climat: More Than a Winery


Au Bon Climat: More Than a Winery

Founded in 1982, Au Bon Climat was totally devoted to making classic, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County. The convergence of cool, brisk Pacific air, marine-based soils, and east-west running valleys of the area provided an ideal place for growing exceptional grapes. Hence the name “Au Bon Climat,” the French idiom for “good place”.
 
Forty years later, the wines have earned a world-class reputation internationally. Jim Clendenen, “The Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat, set the objective and stayed true to its course. As the fads in California winemaking have come and gone, Au Bon Climat has maintained a laser focus in producing traditional, site-specific, nuanced, iconic wines.
Au Bon Climat is more than a winery. It is a state of mind. The vision to create world-class, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs of intrigue, longevity, and balance using traditional principles was set in 1982 by Jim, after exploratory trips to Burgundy. The vision has never changed.
 
By incorporating Old World winemaking in a New World wine region, the wines inherently carry their own signature but still resonate restraint and equilibrium. Barrel fermentation, whole cluster pressing, lees aging, and substantial time in François Frères barrels are standard practices at Au Bon Climat. Hand-picked grapes are harvested at a sugar level that encourages the wine to age slowly. These are not flashy, exaggerated wines. Rather, they are layered, well-structured, and lower in alcohol.
 
Jim assembled a dedicated winery team that understood and shared his vision early on. This committed crew became the Au Bon Climat wine family. The symmetry between creating masterful wines, a gratifying mentoring work environment, and a strong, like-minded community, has brought loyalty and a shared sense of inspiration to the winemaking style that remains to this day.
 
Take home a set of Au Bon Climat’s Blue Series top level magnums. Each one is created from the best cuvées of impressive vineyards and receives the highest percentage of new French oak. 
 
2020 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay “Nuits-Blanches au Bouge” (Magnum)
Quantity: 1

2020 Au Bon Climat “Hildegard” Estate White Blend (Magnum)
Quantity: 1

2020 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir “Knox Alexander” (Magnum)
Quantity: 1

2020 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir “Isabelle” (Magnum)
Quantity: 1


Donor: Au Bon Climat
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