Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–12 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted chicken with herbs, pan-seared halibut with lemon butter sauce, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is hallowed ground in Santa Barbara County, first planted in 1971 by pioneers Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict, who proved that world-class Chardonnay could thrive in the cool, wind-swept valleys of the Sta. Rita Hills. Legendary winemaker Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat recognized the singular greatness of this site early on, crafting a single-vineyard Chardonnay that has become a benchmark for California. Sourced from some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in the region, this wine is shaped by the unique maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean and the vineyard's gravelly, calcium-rich soils. In the cellar, Au Bon Climat employs traditional Burgundian techniques: barrel fermentation in classic French oak, complete malolactic fermentation, and extended sur lie aging. The result is a Chardonnay of remarkable tension, seamlessly weaving together rich, textured layers of orchard fruit and hazelnut with a piercing, mineral-driven acidity that reflects its cool-climate origins.
🍾 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.