A formative trip to Burgundy in the mid-1970s convinced Jim Clendenen to abandon his fledgling legal career and pursue a life devoted to wine. In 1982, he established Au Bon Climat in an old dairy in the Santa Maria Valley and his classically-styled Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs have been a Californian benchmark ever since.
Farming prized vineyards in the cool hills north of Santa Barbara, including ‘Bien Nacido’, ‘Sanford & Benedict’, and ‘Le Bon Climat’, Jim’s artisanal, Old World approach set him apart at a time when high alcohol and heavily oaked wines were the norm in California. By 1989 Au Bon Climat was featured in Robert Parker’s list of the best domaines in the world.
From a winery shared with Rhône enthusiast Bob Lindquist of Qupé, Au Bon Climat crafts multiple site-specific cuvées from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. Offering beautiful aromatics and a depth of flavour akin to Grand Cru Burgundy, Jim’s wines also have outstanding ageing potential.
In 2021 Jim sadly passed away, however the domaine remains in good hands with his children Isabelle and Knox carrying on their father’s work.
