Au Bon Climat, California (Wine Styles, 10 Fantastic Bottles to Buy in 2024)

Founded in 1982 by the “wild boy” of California wine, Jim Clendenen, the Au Bon Climat winery has cemented its place in wine history. 

Today, the winery is well-known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines made in the classic Burgundy style.  In this article, we’ll explore the wine styles, a list of our top 10 Au Bon Climat wine bottles, and even the history of this legendary winemaker.

Au Bon Climat Wine Styles 

As an homage to Burgundy wines, Au Bon Climat produces wines with restraint and balance, allowing them to age gracefully. 

These are the four styles of wine made:

1. Blue Series 

The four wines in this series are made from the finest cuvees and get the highest percentage of new French oak: 

• Pinot Noir Isabelle 
• Pinot Noir Knox Alexander 
• Hildegard 
• Chardonnay ‘Nuits-Blanches au Bouge’

You'll also find Anniversary wines or the Pinot Noir Larmes de Grappe from the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard under this series. 

2. Historic Vineyards Collection 

The Historic Vineyards collection includes stunning Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines made from varietals of five iconic vineyards on the Central Coast.

One is in San Luis Obispo County, while the remaining four are from Santa Barbara County. 

3. Single Vineyard Wines

Au Bon Climat often partners with single vineyards producing exceptional quality wines, such as the Runway Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. 

4. Santa Barbara County Classics 

These classic wines are not just pleasant to the palate but kind to your pocket! 

You'll find some of the most iconic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in this collection, as well as the elegant Pinot Gris - Pinot Blanc blend. 

If these sound right up your alley, why not take a look at our top 10 wines from Au Bon Climat?

10 Sensational Au Bon Climat Wine Bottles 

We’ve listed 10 iconic bottles from this winery that you must try! 

• 2005 Clendenen Family Vineyards Le Bon Climat Vineyard Pinot Noir
• 2008 Au Bon Climat Isabelle Pinot Noir
• 2009 Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir
• 2002 Au Bon Climat Hildegard White
• 2002 Au Bon Climat 'Nuits Blanches au Bouge' Chardonnay 
• 2015 Au Bon Climat Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
• 2016 Au Bon Climat Pinot Gris - Pinot Blanc
• 2013 Au Bon Climat Bien Nacido Vineyard Petit Verdot
• 2017 Clendenen Family Vineyards 'The Pip' Nebbiolo
• 2015 Au Bon Climat Gewurztraminer

1. 2005 Clendenen Family Vineyards Le Bon Climat Vineyard Pinot Noir ($243)

This light Pinot features dark fruits and an earthy nose with a light and refreshing palate. The spicy, herbal lingering finish makes the 2005 vintage a mainstay for any dinner party. 

2. 2008 Au Bon Climat Isabelle Pinot Noir ($235)

Winemaker Jim Clendenen brings a sensual, dark-toned Pinot named after his daughter, Isabelle. As a blend of the estate's 36 best barrels, the wine's silky tannins and fine aromatics provide an elegant finish to any meal. 

3. 2009 Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir ($212) 

Named after Jim Clendenen’s son, this gorgeous red wine offers aromas of red berries, tobacco, and clove. The mouth filling intensity of this Pinot will keep it front and center in your mind long after the glass is empty. 

4. 2002 Au Bon Climat Hildegard White ($181)

Featuring a blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Aligote, this wine will remind you of the old-school white Burgundy wines. 

The hazelnut and vanilla aromas from the French oak hark back to a Chardonnay, but the stone fruit and lavender notes give this white wine a distinctly floral flavor profile. 

5. 2002 Au Bon Climat 'Nuits Blanches au Bouge' Chardonnay ($134)

With an undeniable Burgundian vibe, this beautifully balanced Chardonnay is oaky and buttery. Notes of lemon, stone fruits, and mint give it a refreshing acidity and minerality, making this airy wine a showstopper. 

6. 2015 Au Bon Climat Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir ($45)

A red fruit-forward wine, the Santa Maria Pinot balances the fruit aromas with notes of leather, clove, and pepper. 

The oregano and sage spice notes lift the red fruits on the palate to create a medium-bodied wine with a long finish. 

7. 2016 Au Bon Climat Pinot Gris - Pinot Blanc ($38)

This refreshing dry white wine features a blend of 70% Pinot Gris and 30% Pinot Blanc with a flinty minerality and citrus notes.

But the lightness is expertly contrasted by its richer palate due to the lees aging. The result is a balanced wine that’s perfect for casual sipping!  

8. 2013 Au Bon Climat Bien Nacido Vineyard Petit Verdot ($35)

Made using the grapes from the Bien Nacido vineyard, the 2013 vintage features the Bordeaux varietal, Petite Verdot. The dark fruit and earth nose give way to leather, cranberry, and guava tasting notes. 

9. 2017 Clendenen Family Vineyards 'The Pip' Nebbiolo ($26)

An exemplary example of Californian winemaking, this Nebbiolo is a deep red with an intoxicating bouquet of dark cherries, plums, and roses. 

The moderate tannins and bright acidity work harmoniously to create a versatile wine that easily pairs with mushroom risotto or grilled salmon.  

10. 2015 Au Bon Climat Gewurztraminer ($18)

With subtle lychee nut, Asian pear, and rose petal notes, this crisp and dry wine pairs beautifully with a charcuterie platter or spicy Thai cuisine. 

Let’s find out more about it’s eclectic founder, Jim Clendenen and how the winery found its way into the pages of history.

The Mind Behind the Prestigious Au Bon Climat Winery

Jim Clendenen began his winemaking journey as an Assistant Winemaker at the esteemed Zaca Mesa Winery. He even traveled to France, California, and Australia in a single year to enhance his knowledge of fine wine! 

In 1982, he and Adam Tolmach decided to start a winery focused on Burgundian varietals. By 1990, Adam had left, leaving Jim in charge. 

The Au Bon Climat winery (meaning “a well-exposed vineyard”) started sourcing grapes from vineyards all over California’s Central Coast. 

These, of course, include his own Le Bon Climat Vineyard and estate plantings at the Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. 

Additionally, the winery sources grapes from:

• The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 
• Rancho La Cuna in Los Alamos Valley, Santa Barbara County 
• Los Alamos Vineyard, Santa Barbara County 
• Talley Vineyard, San Luis Obispo County 
• Runway Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley 
• Sierra Madre Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley 

Today, the winery produces over 50,000 cases per year and is known for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris wines. 

Jim also established the Clendenen Family Vineyards, a passion project where he produced artisan small lots of distinctive wines. His Italian varietals, especially the Nebbiolo, have garnered critical acclaim. 

A pioneer in the wine world, Jim and his wineries have received the following high honors: 

• Shortlisted on the Best Wineries in the World by Robert Parker, 1989 and 1990
• Selected by Oz Clark as one of the fifty world-wide creators of Modern Classic Wines, 1991
• Los Angeles Time Winemaker of the Year, 1992 
• Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine, 2001 
• Winemaker of the World by Wein Gourmet (a leading wine magazine in Germany), 2004

Jim passed away in 2021 and is succeeded by his children, Knox and Isabelle Clendenen, and Au Bon Climat’s resident winemaker - Jim Adelman.

Invest in an Iconic Californian Wine Now!

With a firm belief that life is too short for bad wine, Au Bon Climat offers a chance to experience some of their library selections in their tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara! 

If you’re keen to invest in age-worthy Californian wines, there are plenty of options for you to explore! 

Wondering how? 

Look no further than Vinovest, a world-class online wine investment company that lets you create your own wine portfolio and invest in the finest wines from around the world.