2021 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Historic Vineyard

Aromatics of lemon zest and green apple lift and balance the nose. On the palate is citrus, brioche, nuances of royal jelly and cinnamon, and oak notes of walnut and maplewood. The crushed rock minerality the vineyard is known for is throughout the wine. It has bright acidity and a clean, vibrant, pure style that’s going to gain richness and depth with a year or two of bottle age and keep for a decade. Scored 95 points Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

2020 Chardonnay “K Block” Bien Nacido Vineyard

Bien Nacido’s original 1973 “K Block” plantings reflect central coast historicism in a seemingly youthful wine. This bold yet balanced wine boasts creamy textures, defined character, and an Old World-inspired aroma. Indulge in soft flavors of vanilla whipped cream and tapioca pudding, complemented by delicate hints of calla lily, lemon zest, and bee pollen. This wine finishes on a lingering and robust maple wood note that lends itself to be paired with richer dishes like lemon pepper carbonara and seared sea bass with a lemon caper sauce.

2020 Pinot Noir Knox Alexander

One of our best vintages of this wine to date! A complex, savory Pinot Noir with loads of spiced cherry, cranberry, and red currant fruits as well as brambly herbs, underbrush, and leather-like aromas and flavors. Beautifully structured, it is focused on the palate, in a tight, racy style.

Named after Jim Clendenen’s son Knox, this wine is a blend of our best lots from the Santa Maria Valley appellation with the majority of the 2020 vintage (86.5%) coming from the prestigious Bien Nacido Vineyard. Block 2 from Bien Nacido was planted in 1994 to Pinot Noir with the majority being clone 115. It has a south/west exposure which is good for morning sun, though many mornings during the growing season the sun is blocked by our Santa Maria fog. Our other premium block of Pinot Noir at Bien Nacido is Block 11 which is planted with clones 667, 777, 115, 2A, Swan and Jackson in 1997. Block 11 is a steep, hillside block with north/west exposure. The remaining percentage (13.5%) of fruit for this vintage is from Runway Vineyard located next door to Bien Nacido. Even though it is so close, the Pinot from this location is significantly different with a deeper, richer, darker fruit character.

The inclusion of whole cluster is rare for a Knox bottling. The 2020 was a large harvest so we carefullly select the best barrels from a much bigger pool of barrels.  The wine is more “outgoing” with good intensity for a young wine that will continue to grow.

2018 Nebbiolo “Punta Exclamativa” Clendenen Family Vineyards

Though five years in barrel, this medium-bodied red is tight and youthful. The elements are well integrated showing notes of tart red cherry, pomegranate, new leather and sandlewood. As it opens there are lovely layers of dried fruits and amaro-like spices in the mouth framed by firm tannins. “Punta Exclamitiva” means exclamation point (!) in Italian and is made only in the best years.

Jim Clendenen loved Italy – the culture, landscape, cuisine and wines – and visited there numerous times. He especially appreciated their wine’s food friendly nature and decided to make wine from Italian grape varieties in Santa Barbara County in the 1980s. His first attempts were revolutionary at the time. Today, under the Clendenen Family label, we continue to produce high-quality Nebbiolos in the cool Santa Maria Valley in the Old World style. The two best clones of Nebbiolo, Lampia and Michet, were planted in 1994 at Bien Nacido Vineyard just for us. Three different styles are made. The “Punta Exclamitiva” is considered our “Reserve”. It is not made every year; only when the fruit is at its optimum. Consequently, it is always a standout. Five years in barrel has produced a wine of balance, elegance, and Old World charm. “Punta Exclamitiva” means exclamation point (!) in Italian.