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…
MAY add-on specials
WINE CLUB EXCLUSIVE ADD ONS
Enhance your May club shipment with three thoughtfully curated add-on opportunities: From effortlessly drinkable favorites to rare, time-spanning expressions of Sanford & Benedict, this trio of add-on offerings exclusively offered to wine club members invites both immediate enjoyment and thoughtful collecting. Click here to add these exclusive bottles to your shipment…
Act fast: Deadline to add on is May 8th, 4PM
THE SUMMER SIX BUNDLE
Six wines that don’t ask for much, just a glass and good company. This bundle brings together six effortlessly drinkable selections, perfect for late summer nights and simple seasonal dishes. Easy, inviting, and ready to enjoy, no overthinking required.
Regularly $193, SALE $150 + Wine Club Discounts
- WHITES: 2023 Grenache Gris, 2024 Chenin Blanc, 2023 Pinot Gris
- REDS: 2022 G-15 (Valdiguié), 2019 Petit Verdot, 2019 Syrah/Viognier
Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir Three Decades Library Bundle
A rare opportunity to experience three decades of Pinot Noir from Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, this limited collection features the 2000, 2010, and 2020 vintages each capturing a distinct moment in the life of one of Santa Barbara County’s most historic sites. Planted in 1971 by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict, the vineyard helped define the region’s reputation for world-class Pinot Noir. For over 40 years, Au Bon Climat has sourced fruit from this iconic, sustainably farmed site, crafting wines that reflect both its enduring character and the passage of time.
*Limited Availability: Only 12 bundles available!
Regularly $260, SALE $230+ Wine Club Discounts
- 2000 Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir
- 2010 Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir
- 2020 Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir
Sanford & Benedict Anniversary Chardonnay
A focused look at three consecutive vintages from one of California’s most revered sites, this Sanford & Benedict Anniversary Chardonnay vertical (2016, 2017, 2018) highlights the precision and consistency of Sanford & Benedict Vineyard. Deemed one of the finest vineyards in America, it inspired Jim Clendenen to create Au Bon Climat’s “Vintage Celebration” Chardonnay program in 2015, an elevated tribute to its enduring greatness. Crafted from original plantings and aged in custom French oak barrels from François Frères, with extended time in barrel before bottling, these wines offer depth, texture, and remarkable aging potential.
Regularly $180, SALE $160 + Wine Club Discounts
- 2016 Sanford & Benedict Anniversary Chardonnay
- 2017 Sanford & Benedict Anniversary Chardonnay
- 2018 Sanford & Benedict Anniversary Chardonnay
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’
ADD-ON DEADLINE IS May 8th AT 4PM PST
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
2024 Au Bon Climat “Hildegard”
A refined expression of our signature white blend, Au Bon Climat’s 2024 Hildegard carries the tradition forward with clarity and poise. A beautifully expressive nose reveals aromas of macadamia nut, vanilla, and pastry dough, layered with notes of Gala apple and gooseberry. On the palate, the wine evolves with floral hints of white rose and bright key lime emerging retronasally. The interplay of fruit and oak creates a balanced, textured wine with depth and elegance, while a thread of vibrant acidity carries through to a long, refined finish, promising both immediate appeal and graceful aging.
2023 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay, Sanford & Benedict
Planted in 1971, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard remains one of California’s most historic sites. With its gravelly, well-drained soils and cool coastal climate, the vineyard has been celebrated as a home for Burgundian varietals. From this legendary site comes a Chardonnay reminiscent of Grand Cru Chablis, offering aromas of candied orange zest, starfruit, melon, flint, and a delicate touch of matchstick. On the palate, vibrant acidity shapes flavors of lemon zest and subtle caramel, promising both immediate elegance and graceful aging.
2024 Clendenen Family Vineyards Grenache Gris
Rancho La Cuna is home to small vineyard parcels dedicated to unique, cool-climate grapes, including Grenache Gris. Lesser known than its Grenache Noir and Blanc counterparts, this grey/pink-skinned varietal produces a wine that is lean in texture yet remarkably expressive. Aromas of apple blossom, kiwi, honeydew, and white peach lead into bright flavors of lime leaf and yuzu on the palate. Hand-harvested and barrel-fermented in neutral French oak, this wine offers both elegance and vibrancy with a refined finish.
2022 Barham Mendelsohn Pinot Noir
Planted in 1998 on Lala Panzi Ranch in the Russian River Valley near Healdsburg, the Mendelsohns’ five-acre Pinot Noir vineyard was developed with viticulturalist Fred Peterson, who selected Dijon clones (114, 115, 667, 777) alongside the Pommard selection—mirroring plantings Jim Clendenen established at the same time in Santa Maria Valley; this shared focus on clonal precision, site expression, and a food-driven wine culture led to a lasting collaboration with Au Bon Climat. The 2022 vintage reflects that intent with impressive complexity, offering aromas of black cherry, currant, and bramble berry layered with dried thyme, sumac, and sassafras, while the palate unfolds with plum, bitter almond, sarsaparilla, and molasses, supported by fine, drying tannins and a persistent finish.
2023 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir, Sanford & Benedict
Sanford & Benedict is a cornerstone of Central Coast viticulture and remains one of America’s most celebrated sites for Pinot Noir. Au Bon Climat has sourced fruit from this iconic vineyard for over four decades, a partnership that reflects its lasting quality and character. The 2023 vintage opens with aromas of vanilla, lilac, marzipan, and fresh red cherry, accented by a touch of spice. Flavors of raspberry and cherry cobbler lead to a finish of tomato leaf and the vineyard’s signature, soft, fruit-driven texture framed by firm tannins.
2020 Clendenen Family Vineyards Mondeuse
Experience a rare varietal with our Monduese! Fragrant violets, fresh lavender, and black tea aromas converge into flavors of passionfruit, cherry, and red currant. This full-bodied delight holds firm tannins, revealing nuanced notes of dark chocolate, tobacco, and graphite that lead to a bold finish. Crafted with care, all grapes were destemmed and fermented in 5-ton open-top fermenters, then aged for four years in neutral Hungarian oak 500-liter puncheons.
2023 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir, Los Alamos
Los Alamos Vineyard has been part of Au Bon Climat’s story since our very first vintage, and it remains one of our most treasured vineyard sources. Tucked into the Los Alamos Valley—an area with a 40-year history of distinctive wines but no official appellation—this site produces Pinot Noirs that are dark, savory, and deeply expressive. Our 2023 bottling opens with aromas of red currant, rose petals, and white pepper, leading into layers of black plum, cedar, and dried herbs. A supple mid-palate carries notes of cherry and spiced cocoa through to a long, graceful finish.
Tasting Room Updates
Spring Pick Up Party: May 17th
Join us at the Tasting Room for our May Pick-Up Party, an opportunity to collect your latest allocation while enjoying an afternoon of wine, food, and exclusive offers. Curated 5-pour tasting, featuring a selection of library wines alongside current releases. The experience will be complemented by thoughtfully prepared bites from Monica of The Grazing Place.
As a member, you have complimentary entry for yourself and up to two guests (three tickets per membership). Additional guest tickets may be available upon request.
During the event, take advantage of special Summer Case Deals, available exclusively during party hours:
WHITES (mix & match) – $200 per case (no further discounts):
2023 Pinot Gris, 2024 Riesling, 2023 Grenache Gris
REDS (mix & match) – $275 per case (no further discounts):
2019 Syrah/Viognier, 2019 Petit Verdot, 2019 Pip Red Blend
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