The Golden Vine
Au Bon Climat Winery
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Au Bon Climat Winery
813 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
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805-963-7999
www.aubonclimat.com
Hours:
  • Monday
    12:00 pm-6:00 pm
    Open
  • Tuesday
    12:00 pm-6:00 pm
    Open
  • Wednesday
    12:00 pm-6:00 pm
    Open
  • Thursday
    12:00 pm-6:00 pm
    Open
  • Friday
    12:00 pm-6:00 pm
    Open
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Winery
Located in the Spanish archways of El Paseo, Au Bon Climat is producing wine from acclaimed vineyards like Sanford & Benedict, Bien Nacido and Los Alamos. Winemaker Jim Clendenen has developed a reputation for Pinot Noir and Chardonny but also produces Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Viognier. The Clendenen Family label features a portfolio of aged varietals that include a five year Nebbiolo. This location features mission style library décor with a standing bar, leather couches and private table with bar stools. Not included with our photos is the patio with seating for 10 persons. Despite the acclaim, the tasting staff at this location was friendly and patient. We recommend this location for new wine drinkers and groups. Enjoy a tasting flight for $15 or a reserve flight for $20. One tasting fee is waived for every $60 spent.
    • E-mail
    • Tasting Fee
      $15.00
    • E-mail
    • E-mail
      customerservice@aubonclimat.com
For your Wine Adventure:
  • Santa Barbara
    Appellation
    Santa Barbara
  • Wine Maker
    Wine Maker
    Jim Clendenen
  • PetsDog Friendly
  • Outdoor SeatingOutdoor Seating: 10
  • Indoor SeatingIndoor Seating: 17
Current Releases
  • 2002 Acronicus
    A classic Bordeaux blend comprised of 1/3 each Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot
  • 2015 Aligote
    With flavors of fresh pear, lemon curd and hazelnuts, this is a delightful, elegant food wine. Its mouth-watering, firm acidity meshes with the steely/mineral character and rich texture, making it a natural with shellfish.
  • 2014 Blue Series
    Great vintage! Named after an Empress, this exquisite blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligote is barrel fermented and aged in all new French oak. Mouth-coating richness with lovely vanillin and hazelnuts nuances. It is the league with our best Chardonnays
  • 2013 Blue Series
    Named after an Empress, this exquisite blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligote is barrel fermented and aged in all new French oak. Mouth-coating richness with lovely vanillin and hazelnuts nuances. It is the league with our best Chardonnays.
  • 2012 Blue Series
    An exquisite blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligote barrel fermented and aged in all new French oak. Mouth-coating richness with lovely vanillin and hazelnuts nuances. It is the league with our best Chardonnays.
  • 2013 Blue Series
    Bright, focused and beautifully delineated. A wine of precision and focus that exudes energy from start to finish. The 2013 is striking. It's as simple as that. Named after Jim Clendenen's son.
  • 2013 Blue Series
    Part of our elite "Blue Series", Isabelle is comprised of only the best cuvees each vintage. Consequently, it is consistently our top performing Pinot Noir year to year. Dark, rich, and layered, this regal wine is remarkable now, but will be even more integrated and complex in time.
  • 2012 Blue Series
    Another gorgeous Pinot from ABC. Beautiful aromas of spice, rose petals, cherry/berry fruit are amplified on the palate. Named after Jim Clendenen's son, this wine is from the best sections of Bien Nacido Vineyard and Le Bon Climat.
  • 2013 Blue Series (mag)
    Part of our elite "Blue Series", Isabelle is comprised of only the best cuvees each vintage. Consequently, it is consistently our top performing Pinot Noir year to year. Dark, rich, and layered, this regal wine is remarkable now, but will be even more integrated and complex in time.
  • 2013 Blue Series-Magnum
    Another gorgeous Pinot from ABC. Beautiful aromas of spice, rose petals, cherry/berry fruit are amplified on the palate. Named after Jim Clendenen's son, this wine is from the best sections of Bien Nacido Vineyard and Le Bon Climat. Score: 92 points - Robert Parker.
  • 2001 Cabernet Franc/Merlot
    An Italian-inspired blend of Sangiovese (45%), Cabernet Franc (33%) and Merlot (22%)
  • 2015 Chardonnay
    Great value! This barrel fermented, full bodied Chardonnay has mouth filling citrus fruit and a palate cleansing, bright finish. It will become richer and more complex with age.
  • 2011 Chardonnay
    A big, rich, balanced Chardonnay with intriguing aromas of apricots, pear, honey, butter, hazelnuts, and spices. Rich and intense on the palate, with gorgeous depth.
  • 2010 Chardonnay
    A big, rich, balanced Chardonnay with intriguing aromas of apricots, pear, honey, butter, hazelnuts, and spices. Rich and intense on the palate, with gorgeous depth, the 2010 is all about texture.
  • 2009 Chardonnay
    A big, rich, balanced Chardonnay with intriguing aromas of apricots, pear, honey, butter, hazelnuts, and spices. Rich and intense on the palate, with gorgeous depth, the 2009 is all about texture
  • 2010 Chardonnay
    A wine of charm and balance. Delicate fruit notes of apple, licorice and melon effortlessly intertwine with a gentle toasty character. The 24 months aging in new Francois Frere oak barrels makes an obvious, but not overpowering statement.
  • 2010 Clone 115
    Pinot Noir. Single Clone #115.Located next to Los Alamos Vineyard, Rancho La Cuna is an bucolic oasis of olive trees, heritage gardens and a five acre vineyard planted to Pinot Noir, Viognier, and Syrah that Jim Clendenen owns. Production is low and the wines produced seldom reach the shelves before they are gone. This is a beautiful, well stated Pinot of elegance and balance
  • 2014 Gewurztraminer
    Fresh and exotic, with subtle rose petal and Asian fruit notes. It is not oily or unctuous but rather crisp and dry. This combined with an elegant sophistication makes it a delight in warm weather. It is also wonderful with spicy Thai cuisine or a pork roast. A classic.
  • 2013 Gewurztraminer
    Crisp, dry, fresh and exotic, with subtle rose petal and Asian fruit notes. This combined with an elegant sophistication makes it a delight for the holidays. It is wonderful with roast turkey, goose and pork, and also spicy Thai cuisine.
  • 2009 Grenache
    A beautifully balanced Grenache with the whimsical berry and earth notes in the nose followed by a deeper berry and spice palate. Only a few barrels made of this wine.
  • 2014 Historic Collection
    A beautifully crafted wine of earthy berry fruit and depth with the tight structure, spice and mineral notes singular to this vineyard location. It is a promising beauty needing more time to show off all it has to offer. Extremely limited.
  • 2011 Historic Collection
    From one of our best vineyard sources, this fleshy yet structured wine has a dark fruit character, such as plums and cherries along with the signature spice this location provides
  • 2009 Historic Collection
    This is a deep, generous wine that keeps on giving. It shows complex cherry/berry fruit, earthy spice, bitter chocolate, and vanillin from aging in high quality French barrels. More than charming.
  • 2013 Historic Collection
    Bright berry fruit and depth with the tight structure, spice and mineral notes singular to this vineyard location. It is a promising beauty needing more time to show off all it has to offer. Extremely limited.
  • 2012 Historic Collection
    A wine of incredible aromatics and depth with gorgeous cherry, cranberry, cola and earthy spice notes that carry through to the palate. It will continue to age and become more intriguing for years to come.
  • 2009 Historic Collection
    A Chardonnay of balance, structure and refinement. Along with the Talley signature minerality, the aroma shows lemony/limey, clove and nutmeg notes. The energy and freshness are obvious, the subtle flavors of anise and citrus are less obvious.
  • 2014 Historic Collection
    Very fruit forward and unctous, this Chardonnay is rich and complex with a tropical coconut, pineapple character. It shows abundant fruit, oak, and viscosity along with a nice mineral component. Beautiful. Enjoyable now or be rewarded with further aging.
  • 2010 Historic Collection
    Round and supple, time in the bottle have brought together the tropical fruit flavors with the citrus nuances and toasty, delicious barrel spice.
  • 2013 Historic Collection
    This vineyard has hit its stride producing marvelous Chardonnays year after year. On the palate, classic Chardonnay flavors of apple, citrus and vanilla go on and on. Serve with shellfish, Cornish game hen, or alfredo pasta with lobster.
  • 2012 Historic Collection
    Surprisingly rich on the palate, classic Chardonnay flavors of apple, citrus and vanilla go on and on. Beautifully balanced and regal in nature.
  • 2011 Historic Collection
    Beautifully constructed. Fresh pear and white peach scents are sharpened by notes of lemon pith and chalky minerality. Juicy, tightly wound orchard fruit flavors start off with a refreshingly bitter quality and pick up weight and sweetness with air.
  • 2014 Historic Collection
    The flavor profile for this well structured Chardonnay is in the subtle pear and apple realm with accents of lavender and anise from the time in barrel. There are citrusy notes of lemon and orange along with a minerality. Additional flavors and aromas will emerge over time.
  • 2012 Historic Collection
    A lean, stuctured Chardonnay with a richness that is evolving. Beautifully balanced.
  • 2007 Late Harvest
    A classic late harvest wine!
  • 2008 Les Reveles
    The Anderson Valley of Northern California has a cool, coastal climate perfect for growing Pinot Noir. Time in the bottle has harmoniously integrated with all the elements. Lovely.
  • 2007 Les Reveles
    The Anderson Valley of Northern California has a cool, coastal climate perfect for growing Pinot Noir. This is a varietal sturdy wine, with plenty of depth.
  • 2006 Les Reveles
    The Anderson Valley of Northern California has a cool, coastal climate perfect for growing Pinot Noir. This is a varietal sturdy wine, with plenty of depth.
  • 2016 Mondeuse Rose
    Delicate aromas of ripe wild strawberry and watermelon slowly rise from a cold glass of this Rosé. Complex flinty notes. Try this wine for an aperitif, grilled chicken, smoked ham or spicy mid-eastern fare.
  • 2010 Nebbiolo
    An exceptional vintage, this deep red has aromas and flavors of plums, cherry and dried roses with a wonderful balance between the richness of fruit and complexity of age. Serve with a pork or lamb roast, or smoked turkey.
  • 2011 Nebbiolo
    An exceptional vintage, this deep red has aromas and flavors of plums, cherry and dried roses with a wonderful balance between the richness of fruit and complexity of age. Serve with a pork or lamb roast, or smoked turkey.
  • 2009 Nebbiolo
    A deep red with aromas and flavors of plums, cherry and dried roses with a wonderful balance between the richness of fruit and complexity of age. Though aged 6 years in barrel, the wine is still developing.
  • 2008 Nebbiolo
    This is our “reserve” Nebbiolo. The wine, though aged in barrel for five years, has fresh floral notes and shows wild strawberry and plum aromatics. The mouth filling texture accompanies dried cherry flavors which transition into a clean bright finish with good acid balance.
  • 2013 On that Road Again
    A beautifully balanced Chard. Lovely aromas of apricot, lavender and caramel ebb into bright flavors of lemon/lime, and a fresh, spicy finish with vanilla, clove and honeydew melon. The richness and texture are increasing in the bottle.
  • 2011 Petit Verdot
    Dense and inky yet with grace. Lovely Bordeaux characteristics along with a classic dark berry character and medium, dusty tannins. Drinking very well now, but has the structure to easily age 5-10 years.
  • 2012 Petit Verdot
    Dense and inky yet with grace. Lovely Bordeaux characteristics along with a classic dark berry character and medium, dusty tannins. Drinking very well now, but has the structure to easily age 5-10 years
  • 2015 Pinot Gris/Pinot Blanc
    A refreshing, dry white with citrus lemon/lime notes, flinty minerality, and crisp finish. In the mouth the wine is rich and textural, from the time spent on lees in the barrel. This is a great match with shellfish of any kind, or richer white meats such as turkey or duck.
  • 2013 Pinot Noir
    Insanely good! This deep, well structured red is gorgeous showing a wonderful berry, cherry and spice fruit aroma that carries through to a full palate. Only 150 cases were made and it's almost sold out!
  • 2014 Pinot Noir
    An absolutely fabulous wine of amazing fruit, richness and depth! This new vineyard first earned its wings with the 2013 vintage with a vineyard designated bottling of its own at ABC. Only 100 cases produced - get it while you can.
  • 2012 Pinot Noir
    From one of our best vineyard sources, this fleshy yet structured wine has a dark fruit character, such as plums and cherries along with the signature spice this location provides.
  • 2015 Pinot Noir
    Great value! Miles above other Pinots in the same price category, this wine is a particularly wonderful vintage. It is deeply colored with aromas and flavors of strawberries and raspberries joined by anise and clove in mouth filling intensity
  • 2013 Pinot Noir
    A wine of incredible aromatics and depth with gorgeous cherry, cranberry, cola and earthy spice notes that carry through to the palate. It will continue to age and become more intriguing for years to come.
  • 2013 Pinot Noir
    A classic Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir from a great Pinot year, it is a wine of great aromatics and character showing cherry/cranberry fruit, rose petal, earth and spice. The key word is balance.
  • 2014 Pinot Noir
    The Westall Vineyard is another new vineyard that we having been using for a few years. In 2014 we made a limited number of cases that will first be offered to the tasting room and wine club members. It is lovely. This is a mid-weight Pinot with a fresh berry/cranberrry quality and subtle earthy tones.
  • 2013 Pinot Noir
    The Westall Vineyard is another new vineyard that we having been using for a few years. In 2013 we made a paltry 50 cases that will be sold only to the tasting room and wine club members. It is lovely. This is a mid-weight Pinot with a fresh berry/cranberrry quality and subtle earthy tones.
  • 2013 Pinot Noir
    Lovely berry and spice notes. Created for our exacting brokers in Great Britian, the wine is slightly more focused and structured than our more broad Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir.
  • 2010 Pinot Noir
    This wine is as natural a product of its Russian River Valley heritage as is possible, both from the vineyard, and in the cellar. The wonderful berry and earth/spice character is mouth-filling.
  • 2009 Pinot Noir
    A complex Pinot with deep berry fruit, a dusty, earthy spice character and tight structure associated with the Russian River Valley. This is a beautiful, regal Pinot of balance. It will live for years to come but delicious right now.
  • 2013 Pinot Noir
    Beautifully perfumed, with notes of sweet cherries, underbrush, cured meats and dried flowers. It is a medium-bodied wine, silky and polished on the palate, with a fabulous texture. Should drink well for a decade or more.
  • 2001 Pinot Noir
    Ici La Bas means "here or there". This "there" comes Oregon! A dark, rich Pinot that has gracefully aged.
  • 2009 Pinot Noir
    Oregon is known for their Pinot as much as Santa Barbara County. The wine is rich, complex with big fruit and character.
  • 2010 Red Blend
  • 2007 Red Blend
    A delicious red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot. Originally crafted for Hawaiian Airlines.
  • 2000 Reservatum
    An Italian-inspired blend of Sangiovese (45%), Cabernet Franc (33%) and Merlot (22%)
  • 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
    Clean and crisp, the wine shows a combination of melon, pear and dried herbs with some smokiness from the barrel fermentation after the wine opens up.
  • 2012 Sauvignon Blanc
    Clean and crisp, the wine shows a combination of melon, pear and dried herbs with some smokiness from the barrel fermentation after the wine opens up.
  • 2015 Sauvignon Blanc
    Clean and crisp, the wine shows a combination of melon, pear and dried herbs with some smokiness from the barrel fermentation after the wine opens up.
  • 2012 Sauvignon Blanc
    True Sauvignon Blanc flavors of citrus zest, gooseberry, cream, mineral and dried grass are well balanced between the rich texture from barrel fermentation and the vibrant energy from the grapes.
  • 2013 Sauvingnon Blanc
    True Sauvignon Blanc flavors of citrus zest, gooseberry, cream, mineral and dried grass are well balanced between the rich texture from barrel fermentation and the vibrant energy from the grapes
  • 2013 Second Coming
    Our "reserve" Viognier is a luscious, viscous dry white. Subtle aromas of pear, stone fruit and honeydew melon are joined by white peach and tangerine blossom on the palate.
  • 2012 Second Coming
    Our "reserve" Viognier is a luscious, viscous dry white. Subtle aromas of pear, stone fruit and honeydew melon are joined by white peach and tangerine blossom on the palate
  • 2009 Syrah/Viognier
    Spice and smoke accented dark berries and licorice on the highly fragrant nose.The addition of Viognier (10%) to the rich, deep Syrah lends a suppleness that makes this wine intriguing and enjoyable now.
  • 2010 Syrah/Viognier
    Spice and smoke accented dark berries and licorice on the highly fragrant nose.The addition of Viognier (10%) to the rich, deep Syrah lends a suppleness that makes this wine intriguing and enjoyable now.
  • 2015 The Pip
    Great value! Even though the wine is on the young side, the wine is complex suggesting dried cherries, blackberries with a touch of Santa Maria brush. Surprisingly rich in the mouth.
  • 2013 The Pip
    The citrus/apple notes in the aromas mesh nicely with the stone fruit and tropical flavors. The fruit notes in the aromas and flavors will evolve into more spices and nuts.
  • 2014 The Pip
    The citrus/apple notes in the aromas mesh nicely with the stone fruit and tropical flavors. The fruit notes in the aromas and flavors will evolve into more spices and nuts.
  • 2015 Tocai Friulano
    A crisp, dry, floral white with aromas of green almond, honey and honey suckle, and flavors of apple and pear. Elegance in a bottle.
  • 2014 Tocai Friulano
    A crisp, dry, floral white with aromas of green almond, honey and honey suckle, and flavors of apple and pear. Elegance in a bottle.
  • 2013 Tocai Friulano
    A crisp, dry, floral white with aromas of green almond, honey and honey suckle, and flavors of apple and pear. Elegance in a bottle.
  • 2008 Victoria
    A wine of charm and balance. Delicate fruit notes of apple, licorice and melon effortlessly intertwine with a gentle toasty character. The 24 months aging in new Francois Frere oak barrels makes an obvious, but not overpowering statement
  • 2013 Viognier
    Cool climate Viognier is hard to find in California. Le Bon Climat is truly cool climate, located on the edge of the Santa Maria Valley, providing ideal conditions for this varietal. The 2013 offers restrained melon, pear and honeysuckle notes along with excellent structure and balanced acidity. The viscosity is rich but understated.
  • 2010 Westside of the Cradle
    Those who enjoy a well aged Pinot will be thrilled with this wine. The fruit is from Jim’s Rancho La Cuna vineyard in Los Alamos, an area known for deep reds. This wine is supple on the mid-palate with firm acidity. It is a very limited release.