Au Bon Climat

Jim Clendenen and Adam Tolmach founded Au Bon Climat in 1982, beginning operations in a leased space within a converted dairy barn in the Santa Maria Valley. The name translates from a French idiom meaning a well-exposed vineyard. The partnership between the two founders lasted until 1990, at which point Tolmach departed to establish The Ojai Vineyard, leaving Clendenen as the sole proprietor and lead winemaker. Clendenen became a highly visible figure in the California wine industry, often credited as a pioneer for his early adoption of Burgundian techniques in the Central Coast. Since his death in 2021, the winery has remained under the ownership of the Clendenen family, led by his children Isabelle and Knox Clendenen. They oversee the business in collaboration with longtime staff members Jim Adelman and Enrique Rodriguez, who maintain the established production standards.

The winery is situated on the Bien Nacido Vineyard property, and this site remains the primary source for the majority of its production. In addition to estate acreage at the Le Bon Climat vineyard, the producer sources fruit from other significant locations such as the Sanford and Benedict Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and the Los Alamos Vineyard. The regional climate is defined by east-west running valleys that allow cool Pacific air and fog to moderate temperatures, creating conditions suitable for slow ripening. Winemaking follows traditional methods, including the use of open-top fermenters and whole cluster pressing for white grapes. The wines are aged extensively in French oak barrels, specifically from the François Frères cooperage in Burgundy. Harvesting occurs at relatively low sugar levels to preserve natural acidity and keep alcohol levels moderate, a practice intended to promote longevity and food compatibility.

While the portfolio includes more than 16 different varieties across various projects, the core of the production is dedicated to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc. The winery is recognized for its resistance to the trends of high-extract, high-alcohol winemaking that characterized much of California in the late 20th century. Its reputation is built on wines that show site-specific character and structural tension. Among the most recognized bottlings are the Isabelle Pinot Noir, which is a reserve blend sourced from several top vineyards, and the Knox Alexander Pinot Noir, which typically features fruit from Bien Nacido. These wines helped establish Santa Barbara County as a region for cool-climate viticulture. The producer also maintains an extensive library of older vintages, reinforcing the focus on the development of these wines over several decades in the bottle.