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
Established in 1982 by visionary vintner Jim Clendenen and Adam Tolmach, Au Bon Climat stands as one of California's most influential pioneers of cool-climate, Burgundian-style winemaking. Situated on the benchlands of the Santa Maria Valley and sourcing from iconic vineyards such as Bien Nacido, Sanford & Benedict, and the estate Le Bon Climat, the estate thrives within transverse valleys channeled by cold maritime airflow off the Pacific Ocean. Viticulture emphasizes sustainability, with key estate holdings certified organic. In the cellar, the late Clendenen's philosophy lives on through longtime winemaker Jim Adelman alongside Jim's children, Isabelle and Knox Clendenen. Vinification champions classical European restraint: whole-cluster pressing, native and selected yeast fermentations in François Frères French oak barrels, full lees contact, and unhurried elevage without excessive new wood or heavy extraction. Celebrated benchmark whites include the single-vineyard Bien Nacido K Block, Sanford & Benedict, and the flagship Chardonnay Nuits-Blanches Au Bouge, each exemplifying bright minerality, seamless acid architecture, and remarkable cellar longevity.
🍇 Grapes
Chardonnay
🍷 ABV
13.5-14%