Au Bon Climat
Summary
Au Bon Climat, founded in 1982 and now owned by Jackson Family Wines, produces primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County's cool, marine-influenced vineyards including their home base at Bien Nacido in Santa Maria Valley. The winery maintains its four-decade commitment to traditional Burgundian methods—including hand harvesting, native fermentation, and extended aging in French oak—creating balanced, food-friendly wines that prioritize vineyard expression and aging potential over power.
Heritage & Leadership
Au Bon Climat was established in 1982 by Jim Clendenen in Santa Barbara County, California. Clendenen, who had previously worked at Zaca Mesa Winery, founded Au Bon Climat (which translates to "a well-exposed vineyard") with initial production taking place in a rented space at Firestone Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. The winery relocated to the Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley in 1989, where it established its permanent home.
Jim Clendenen, often referred to as the "Mind Behind" Au Bon Climat, led the winery for nearly four decades until his passing in May 2021. Under his direction, Au Bon Climat gained recognition for pioneering cool-climate Burgundian varieties in California. Following Clendenen's death, Au Bon Climat was acquired by Jackson Family Wines in late 2021, ensuring continuity for the brand. The winemaking team includes longtime collaborators Jim Adelman and Bob Grether, who continue to maintain the house style established by Clendenen.
Vineyards & Wines
Au Bon Climat sources grapes from several notable vineyards in Santa Barbara County, with Bien Nacido Vineyard serving as both its home base and a significant grape source. The winery maintains long-term contracts with vineyards throughout the region, including Le Bon Climat (planted by Clendenen in 1998), Sanford & Benedict in Sta. Rita Hills, and Los Alamos Vineyard.
The portfolio focuses primarily on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with smaller productions of Aligoté, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Nebbiolo. Au Bon Climat produces three distinct tiers: the Santa Barbara County blends, single-vineyard designates, and the limited "Historic Vineyards Collection." The single-vineyard wines showcase specific sites such as Bien Nacido, Talley Rincon, and Sanford & Benedict, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of each location.
The Santa Maria Valley, where many of Au Bon Climat's source vineyards are located, features marine-influenced climate with cool temperatures and morning fog. This region's soils vary from sandy loam to clay loam, contributing to the distinctive character of the wines. The vineyards are typically situated at elevations between 300-800 feet above sea level.
Philosophy & Practice
Au Bon Climat's winemaking philosophy has remained consistent since its founding: producing balanced, food-friendly wines that reflect their vineyard origins rather than winemaking manipulation. The winery employs traditional Burgundian techniques, including hand harvesting, gentle pressing, and fermentation with native yeasts when possible.
For Chardonnay production, Au Bon Climat typically utilizes barrel fermentation in French oak, followed by complete malolactic fermentation and aging on lees with regular bâtonnage (stirring). Pinot Noir undergoes partial whole-cluster fermentation (varying by vineyard and vintage), with punch-downs performed manually during fermentation. The wines age in French oak barrels, with new oak percentages ranging from 25% for the Santa Barbara County blends to 50-75% for single-vineyard designates.
The winery maintains relatively long aging periods compared to many California producers, with most wines spending 11-18 months in barrel before bottling. This extended aging, combined with picking at moderate sugar levels to preserve natural acidity, results in wines built for aging. Au Bon Climat's commitment to this traditional approach—emphasizing site expression, balance, and longevity over power and immediate appeal—has remained unchanged despite shifting market trends throughout its four-decade history.