Alban Vineyard Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
roasted chicken, grilled halibut, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
Au Bon Climat's exploration of unique Central Coast terroirs led to historic collaborations, including sourcing fruit from the acclaimed Alban Vineyard in the cool Edna Valley. While Alban Vineyard is legendary for pioneering Rhône varieties in California, its unique microclimate and volcanic soils also yield exceptional, slow-ripening Chardonnay. Winemaker Jim Clendenen applied his signature Burgundian philosophy to this fruit, utilizing native yeast fermentation and aging in classic French oak barrels. The resulting wine beautifully marries the vibrant, mineral-driven acidity of the Edna Valley with the structured, age-worthy complexity that defines the Au Bon Climat style.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1982 by the visionary late winemaker Jim Clendenen and Adam Tolmach, Au Bon Climat is situated in the cool-climate expanse of the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Operating out of the acclaimed Bien Nacido Vineyard, the winery forged an international reputation by championing restraint, balance, and classical Burgundian traditions long before cool-climate California viticulture entered the mainstream. Driven by early harvesting, indigenous fermentations, and meticulous French oak aging, Au Bon Climat crafts structured, age-worthy wines distinguished by high natural acidity and moderate alcohol levels. The estate is celebrated globally for its expressive site-specific and reserve bottlings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, including iconic signature labels such as Knox Alexander, Isabelle, and Nuits-Blanches au Bouge.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Chardonnay