Elke Vineyard Pinot Noir
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–12 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
roasted duck, wild mushroom risotto, grilled salmon
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The Au Bon Climat Elke Vineyard Pinot Noir represents a fascinating northern excursion for the late, legendary winemaker Jim Clendenen, who was primarily famous for his Santa Barbara County wines. Sourced from the Elke Vineyard in the cool, fog-laden Anderson Valley of Mendocino County—farmed by Mary Elke—this wine showcases a beautiful marriage of terroir and classic Burgundian winemaking. The vineyard's clay-loam soils and chilly maritime climate yield fruit with exceptional natural acidity and bright red-fruit character. Clendenen applied his signature traditional touch, utilizing open-top fermenters, manual punch-downs, and aging in premium French oak barrels from Francois Fr res. The result is an elegant, structured Pinot Noir that balances savory earthiness with vibrant cherry and spice notes, standing as a testament to Clendenen's visionary exploration of California's finest cool-climate sites.
🍾 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.