Bien Nacido Vineyard K Block Chardonnay
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted chicken, grilled lobster with drawn butter, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ wine.spec_sheet
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.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1982 by the legendary winemaker Jim Clendenen and Adam Tolmach, Au Bon Climat is a pioneering estate located in the Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County, California. Situated on the historic Bien Nacido Vineyard, the winery is internationally acclaimed for its unwavering commitment to crafting Burgundian-style wines of balance, restraint, and longevity. Utilizing traditional French winemaking techniques, including open-top fermenters, manual punch-downs, and aging in classic Francois Frères French oak barrels, Au Bon Climat produces highly expressive, food-friendly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their signature expressions, such as the Knox Alexander Pinot Noir and Nuits-Blanches au Bouge Chardonnay, showcase the unique, cool-climate terroir of California's Central Coast.