Au Bon Climat

Au Bon Climat sources fruit from several of the most highly regarded vineyards on the Central Coast, primarily in Santa Barbara County. These include Clendenen’s own Le Bon Climat Vineyard and estate plantings at the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard – both in Santa Maria Valley. Other iconic locations such as Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos Vineyard (Santa Barbara County), and San Luis Obispo County’s Talley Vineyard, are also regularly employed.

Bien Nacido Vineyard

The fabled Bien Nacido Vineyard, first planted in 1973, is the primary vineyard source for Au Bon Climat wines. The site, planted to 900 acres of vines, is located at the northern end of California’s Santa Barbara County, on elevated bench land about 20 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean; to the east lie the foothills leading up to the Sierra Madre Mountains. Though the ocean can be viewed only from the hills surrounding the vineyards, the influence of the sea is felt in the cool temperatures of the Santa Maria Valley AVA. It is on the receiving end of the only east-west transverse mountain range in California allowing maritime-influenced morning fog and cool afternoon breezes making this a Region I in climate. Here, grapes thrive in one of the longest growing seasons in the state and are allowed extended hang-time on the vines to encourage the full development of flavor, color, and other vital components.