Bien Nacido Vineyard K Block Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted chicken, grilled lobster with drawn butter, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
The 'K Block' of the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley holds a mythical status in California viticulture. Originally planted in 1973 on its own roots, this block represents some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in the region. Au Bon Climat's late founder, the iconic Jim Clendenen, recognized the extraordinary potential of these old vines early on. The wine is crafted using traditional Burgundian techniques: whole-cluster pressed, barrel-fermented, and aged in classic French oak barrels from Francois Frères. The resulting Chardonnay is a masterclass in tension, combining the rich, textured depth of old-vine fruit with the vibrant, saline acidity gifted by the cool, maritime winds of the Santa Maria Valley. It stands as a liquid testament to Clendenen's pioneering spirit and the enduring legacy of Bien Nacido.
🍾 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
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
13.5-14%