Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2027
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
roasted chicken, creamy mushroom risotto, pan-seared halibut
✨ Technical Specifications
The Sierra Madre Vineyard, first planted in 1971, is one of the true viticultural treasures of the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County. Au Bon Climat's rendition of Chardonnay from this historic site showcases the profound influence of the region's unique transverse valley, which funnels cool marine air and morning fog directly from the Pacific Ocean. Winemaker Jim Clendenen, a pioneer of Burgundian-style winemaking in California, crafted this wine to highlight the vineyard's sandy soils and cool climate. Utilizing traditional French techniques, the grapes are whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented in classic Francois Frères French oak barrels, undergoing complete malolactic fermentation with regular lees stirring. The result is a Chardonnay of exceptional balance, marrying vibrant, citrus-driven acidity and flinty minerality with a rich, textured palate and subtle toasted oak notes.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1982 by the visionary late winemaker Jim Clendenen and Adam Tolmach, Au Bon Climat is situated in the cool-climate expanse of the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Operating out of the acclaimed Bien Nacido Vineyard, the winery forged an international reputation by championing restraint, balance, and classical Burgundian traditions long before cool-climate California viticulture entered the mainstream. Driven by early harvesting, indigenous fermentations, and meticulous French oak aging, Au Bon Climat crafts structured, age-worthy wines distinguished by high natural acidity and moderate alcohol levels. The estate is celebrated globally for its expressive site-specific and reserve bottlings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, including iconic signature labels such as Knox Alexander, Isabelle, and Nuits-Blanches au Bouge.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Chardonnay
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
13.5%