Runway Vineyard Pinot Noir
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2026
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, wild mushroom risotto, seared salmon
✨ Technical Specifications
Sourced from the Runway Vineyard, which sits directly adjacent to the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, this Pinot Noir represents the pinnacle of cool-climate viticulture in Santa Barbara County. Planted in 2008 on sandy loam soils, Runway Vineyard benefits from the unique transverse orientation of the local valleys, which funnels chilly Pacific fog and winds directly into the vines. This dramatic maritime influence slows ripening, allowing the grapes to develop deep complexity and vibrant acidity. Under the late Jim Clendenen's traditional Burgundian philosophy, the wine is crafted using open-top fermenters, manual punch-downs, and aging in premium Francois Frères French oak barrels. The resulting Pinot Noir is a masterclass in restraint and elegance, showcasing bright red fruit, earthy undertones, and a structured, savory finish that honors the legacy of one of California's most iconic winemakers.
🍾 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
Pinot Noir
🍷 ABV
13.5%