Tag: Aligoté

September 2025 Wine Club Newsletter

Published

The Latest from Au Bon Climat

Scroll through for the latest news and updates from Au Bon Climat and as always, find the tasting notes and details for the wines featured in your September Wine Club Shipment below!

Click THE IMAGES BELOW to view our featured content & SCROLL FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR SEPTEMBER WINE CLUB SHIPMENT…
Garden Tomato & Peach Panzanella with Meyer Lemon Olive Oil
COMING SOON:
Dr. Gonzales Riesling

SEPTEMBER add-on specials…

WINE CLUB EXCLUSIVE ADD ONS

Customize your wine club shipment and take advantage of flat rate shipping with our exclusive add on offers, unique to each wine club. Click the image below to customize…

Mark your calendars: Deadline to add on is September 1st, 4PM

ADD-ON DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 1ST AT 4PM PST

How to add wines to your shipment:

1. Sign into your membership profile–click here

2. Select “Edit Wines” in the upper right corner of your membership profile

3. Choose your desired wines or bundle

4. Click ‘Save Selection’ at the top

5. View total breakdown including shipping discount under ‘TOTAL’

If you would like to add on wines not featured in your club portal, please contact us. Email wineclub@aubonclimat.com or call 805-883-8165.

Included in this Shipment…

2023 Au Bon Climat Los Alamos Chardonnay

A wine of patience and promise, this vintage is now entering its prime drinking window, rewarding collectors who understood its aging potential of 10-12+ years. Experience a masterful expression of Santa Barbara terroir that has gracefully evolved into something truly charming and open-knit.

2024 Au Bon Climat Pinot Gris/Pinot Blanc

Bright and layered, this mineral-driven  blend offers aromas of green apple, pear, and apricot. Crisp lemon-lime flavors and subtle sandstone minerality bring freshness, while a supple texture and classic acidity create a balanced, elegant finish. Dry, flavorful, and immensely drinkable, it’s a white wine that’s both approachable and refined.

2024 Au Bon Climat Aligoté

Aligoté is back: The reprobate grape of burgundy has made its way back to the Au Bon Climat winery. After a short hiatus, we are excited to announce the return of Aligoté to the Clendenen Family lineup.

2022 Au Bon Climat Kick On Pinot Noir

Sourced from the esteemed Kick On Vineyard, this Pinot Noir reflects the unique balance of warm days and cool nights in Los Alamos Valley. A striking nose of alpine strawberry, guava, and prickly pear leads into a layered palate of tart cherry, masala spice, and fresh-cut cedar. Aged for 24 months in French oak, this single-vineyard wine offers remarkable depth, structure, and elegance.

2021 Barham Mendelsohn Pinot Noir

This vintage of Barham Mendelsohn Pinot Noir is a captivating blend of cured pine and dark marionberry, gracefully unfolding into notes of cranberry tart, allspice, and cream. Crafted with meticulous care, the vineyard at Lala Panzi undergoes stringent canopy management, manual tilling, and precise ripening assessment, ensuring optimal fruit quality. Aged for 24 months in 33% new François Frères French oak barrels, this medium-plus-bodied wine promises a memorable tasting experience and further aging potential.

2020 Clendenen Family Vineyards Syrah/Viognier

Our Rancho La Cuna Syrah/Viognier is a testament to the art of co-fermentation. Our Syrah and Viognier intertwine, reminiscent of Rhône techniques, resulting in a supple, dense Syrah. Delicate and light-styled, it boasts layers of tea leaf, plum, and sassafras, with notes of blueberry, allspice, and nutmeg, balanced by juicy acidity and lingering oak tannins.

2022 Au Bon Climat Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir

A wine that reflects over four decades of history, this Pinot Noir is complex and layered, yet never overpowering. From our first purchase of grapes from Michael Benedict in the 1980s, we’ve crafted a relationship with this vineyard. The wine opens with vibrant aromas of blood orange, green mango, cranberry, and rhubarb pie, while its juicy acidity and firm tannins promise excellent aging potential. A long, structured finish with hints of mahogany, spiced tea, and clove showcases the signature Sanford & Benedict backbone we cherish in every bottle.

EXCITING EVENTS COMING TO THE TASTING ROOM…

AU BON CLIMAT EVENTS CALENDAR

We’ve got an exciting lineup to carry us from late summer into fall! Join us for ABC After Hours, special themed tastings with great wine and great company- happening monthly. Don’t miss the final Summer DJ Series on September 7th, featuring Soul Selection Vinyl spinning from 2–6 PM – it’s the perfect summer send-off. We’re also thrilled to welcome BreadTrip on September 6th for a delicious sandwich pop-up (follow them on IG @breadtrip.vta- they sell out fast!). And mark your calendar for a spooky good time at our Halloween Blind Tasting on October 31st– costumes encouraged! 

  • Aug 29: ABC After Hours – Talley Vineyard | 5:30–7 PM
  • Sept 6: BreadTrip Sandwich Pop-Up | 1 PM until sold out
  • Sept 7: Final Summer DJ Series – Soul Selection Vinyl | 2–6 PM
  • Sept 26: ABC After Hours – Nebbiolo Night | 5:30–7 PM
  • Oct 31: ABC After Hours – Halloween Blind Tasting | 5:30–7 PM
  • SAVE THE DATE! NOVEMBER PICK UP PARTY!

ABC After-Hours: August

Don’t miss a wonderful evening exploring the excellence of the Talley Vineyards. Taste two iconic varietals from a standout site.

Since its inception in 1991, Talley Vineyards Pinot has showcased exceptional quality and remains one of our premier vineyard sources. Join us to learn more about what makes Talley Vineyards so remarkable, as well as enjoy an exceptional flight of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Tasting lineup, Talley Vineyards:
2002 Chardonnay, Talley Rincon
2009 Pinot Noir, Talley Rosemary
2013 Pinot Noir, Talley Rincon (Magnum)

RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE

Garden Tomato & Peach Panzanella with Meyer Lemon Olive Oil

Published

Perfectly paired with our 2024 Aligoté from our tasting room manager, wiktoria

A sun-soaked twist on the Tuscan classic, this vibrant Panzanella features heirloom tomatoes from my garden, sweet local yellow peaches, torn local Riviera Coastal Sourdough, and garden herbs, all brought to life with bright Meyer lemon olive oil. Every bite mirrors the citrusy zing and mineral elegance of our 2024 Aligoté.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ lbs garden heirloom tomatoes, cut into chunks
  • 2 ripe yellow peaches, sliced or cut into wedges
  • 3 cups Riviera Coastal sourdough, torn into bite-sized pieces
  • ¼ cup Meyer lemon olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • ½ small shallot, finely sliced
  • Flaky salt & cracked black pepper
  • Handful fresh herbs (basil, mint, cilantro, or parsley – whatever you have on hand)

Procedure:

  1. Toss bread with a splash of olive oil and toast in a skillet until golden and crisp on the edges.
  2. In a large bowl, toss tomatoes, peaches, shallot, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Let sit 10 minutes to get juicy.
  3. Add toasted bread, drizzle with Meyer lemon olive oil, and toss gently.
  4. Fold in fresh herbs just before serving.

Serve with a glass of our 2024 Aligoté, the wine’s lemon zest and pear notes make it the ultimate pairing for this late-summer stunner.

Suggested Pairing: 2024 Au Bon Climat Aligoté

Wine Pairing Notes

Right about now, we’re all craving wines that are refreshing and vibrant. Wines that make you want to open another bottle, order another course, stretch the evening a little longer. Our 2024 Aligoté? That’s precisely what it is.

We barrel-fermented in neutral French oak, staying true to its Burgundian heritage while allowing our coastal terroir to shine through. The result: serious acid backbone, bright lemon zest and pear, plus that mineral edge and hint of ocean breeze that only comes from the Santa Maria wind.

May 2025 Wine Club Newsletter

Published

The Latest from Au Bon Climat

Scroll through for the latest news and updates from Au Bon Climat and as always, find the tasting notes and details for the wines featured in your May Wine Club Shipment below!

Click THE IMAGES BELOW to view our featured content & SCROLL FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR MAY WINE CLUB SHIPMENT…
Aligoté is Back!
Fennel-Crusted Halibut with Asparagus
MAGNUM MADNESS MAY–15% off all Magnums

May add-on specials…

WINE CLUB EXCLUSIVE ADD ONS

Customize your wine club shipment and take advantage of flat rate shipping with our exclusive add on offers, unique to each wine club. Click the image below to customize…

Mark your calendars: Deadline to add on is May 9th at 4PM

ADD-ON DEADLINE IS MAY 9TH AT 4PM PST

How to add wines to your shipment:

1. Sign into your membership profile–click here

2. Select “Edit Wines” in the upper right corner of your membership profile

3. Choose your desired wines or bundle

4. Click ‘Save Selection’ at the top

5. View total breakdown including shipping discount under ‘TOTAL’

If you would like to add on wines not featured in your club portal, please contact us. Email wineclub@aubonclimat.com or call 805-883-8165.

Included in this Shipment…

2023 Au Bon Climat Hildegard

This wine opens with delicate aromas of candied lemon and white rose, followed by subtle hints of coconut milk, nectarine, and sandalwood. On the palate, fresh green apple and nectarine from the Pinot Gris meld seamlessly with the creaminess of French oak, while the salinity of Pinot Blanc and the bright acidity of Aligoté provide a crisp, structured finish.

2022 Au Bon Climat Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay

Sanford and Benedict grapes are known for being beautifully balanced, and our chardonnay is no exception. This wine is effortlessly integrated with aromas of grapefruit and lemon curd leading the way, with subtle layers of little-leaf sage, sunflower seed butter, and dried pine needles emerging with air. On the palate, flinty minerality meets rich, round tones of crème brûlée for a refined and lingering finish.

2023 Clendenen Family Vineyards Grenache Gris

An intriguing nose of pear, melon rind, green mango, and passion fruit. Minerality provides structure, complemented by flavors of plum and lemon zest. A light to medium body with great acidity makes this wine effortlessly enjoyable.

2021 Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-Dessus Pinot Noir

With rich flavors of juicy blueberry and pomegranate, this wine further develops into an earthy and fragrant profile. Aromas of peppercorn, bramble, and roses are detectable adding complexity. With excellent structure, it culminates in a pronounced pine finish, showcasing layers and depth in this vintage. It is very approachable now but will develop beautifully into stewed fruits with age.

2020 Clendenen Family Vineyards Grenache

A serious and concentrated Grenache with intense fruit scents bursting from the glass, revealing cherry and peach candy. Darker-toned aromas follow with layers of fennel, hyssop, leather, and cigar. Developed tannins and good acidity create a sturdy structure with long-term aging potential. The finish lingers with delightful notes of crème brûlée and coffee.

2023 Au Bon Climat “Rosemary’s” Talley Vineyard Pinot Noir

First bottled by Au Bon Climat in 1991, this Arroyo Grande vineyard continues to deliver one of the most refined and compelling Pinot Noirs we’ve crafted. Bright aromas of wild berries and cream open the nose, giving way to savory hints of turmeric, dried thyme, and toasted oak. On the palate, rich notes of plum and mascarpone add texture and depth, finishing with a graceful, lingering warmth.

2021 Au Bon Climat Lalapanzi Vineyard Pinot Noir

Hints of dried mahogany intertwine with dark boysenberry in the front, gradually giving way to notes of fresh pomegranate and whipped cream with aeration. Fruit-forward flavors of tart cherry and cranberry are complemented by savory undertones of black olive, white pepper, and baking spices.

EXCITING EVENTS COMING TO THE TASTING ROOM…

AU BON CLIMAT EVENTS CALENDAR

Mark your calendars—there’s much to look forward to this month and well into the summer with Au Bon Climat! Keep an eye on our events calendar!

ABC After-Hours: May

This month, we honor Jim Clendenen’s special collaboration with Nashville wine collector Tom Black. Created for his friend Tom Black and inspired by a Bordeaux-style blend Jim once made for Toby Keith, Black By Black began as a challenge- to match top Bordeaux using Santa Barbara fruit. He succeeded.

Tom, a wine collector, wanted a signature wine for charity events, so Jim crafted it from one barrel each of Stallion Cabernet, Bien Nacido Merlot, and Petit Verdot, aged in new Taransaud oak. Elegant and old-world in style, this rare, unscored vertical is a true gem.

Tasting lineup, Black by Black:
2012, 2013, 2014 & 2016 in 3L format.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE

Spring Pick-up Party: Member Exclusive Celebration at the Tasting Room

Sunday May 18th | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Spring is in the air, and it’s time to celebrate with your fellow Wine Club members at our Spring Pick-Up Party! Join us for an afternoon of seasonal sips, savory bites, and exclusive perks- just for our club community.

We’ll be pouring a special lineup of member-only wines, including a few surprises you won’t find on our regular menu. Take advantage of our bargain table, featuring limited wines at special prices- first come, first served, so don’t miss out!

This season’s food pairing is brought to you by Breadtrip, one of our favorite local pop-ups. On the menu:

Roasted Pork Sandwich – Broccoli rabe, provolone, pepperoncini

Chicken Confit Sandwich – Beylik Farms tomatoes, crispy chicken skin, schmaltz, sherry vinaigrette

All served on fresh house-made focaccia with lemon aioli and a refreshing citrus & fennel salad.

Bring your appetite, your wine-loving friends (guests welcome!), and get ready to toast to spring in style.

RSVP HERE TO JOIN US

JUNE MEMBER EXCHANGE

Au Bon Climat x Whitcraft : Member Exchange

This June, we’re teaming up with our friends at Whitcraft Winery for an exclusive Member Benefit Exchange! For the entire month, your membership perks will extend to both tasting rooms- twice the fun, twice the wine. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!


Aligoté is Back

Published

Aligoté Returns—Raise a Glass to Its Comeback!

AN UPDATE FROM SARAH ATWOOD, ENTOLOGIST

A little bit of rain goes a long way! The hillsides are turning green around Santa Maria Valley and the wildflowers are getting ready to bloom, which makes for one of the most picturesque times of year on the central coast. It is also budbreak in the vineyards—the start of new growth on the vines and a signal to the winery that the 2025 season has officially begun.One block that we are particularly excited about is nestled in the alluvial flats of Bien Nacido just down from the winery. In 2022, we worked with the Bien Nacido team to field graft a couple acres of Aligoté exclusively for Au Bon Climat. Aligoté, the “other” Burgundian white grape, has always been a critical blending component of our Hildegard white wine and often shown exceptionally well as a single varietal wine. This austere, high-acid variety was originally planted at the Le Bon Climat estate vineyard. When the vineyard sold, we quickly made plans to have vines grafted to Aligoté so we could continue to work with this wonderful grape. While the first crop from the new vines in 2024 made great wine, we are excited to see the potential of this fruit with one more year of maturity along with the great growing conditions we have witnessed so far this year.

INPUT FROM WINEMAKER, MARC PIRO

The reprobate grape of burgundy has made its way back to the Au Bon Climat winery. After a short hiatus, we are excited to announce the return of Aligoté to the Clendenen Family lineup.

Aligoté has a long history in Burgundy, fabled as one of the first white grapes planted in the region, suggested by Queen Hildegard. We pay homage to those original white grapes in our ancient Burgundian white blend, aptly named “Hildegard.”

Our winemaking history with Aligoté began 30 years ago, first sourcing the grape from Mistral Vineyard in 1995, then our Santa Maria Valley estate vineyard Le Bon Climat, and most recently in the alluvial flats of Bien Nacido.  Our 2024 single varietal Aligoté is true to its Burgundian roots. It is barrel fermented in neutral French oak barrels. Its acid driven core highlights lemon zest and pear flesh on the palate, while maintaining exquisite minerality.  This limited production wine will be bottled in May.