Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat Passes away at 68

I don’t usually add a second segment from our radio show, but this one I had to because I was affected by Jim’s passing. Great winemakers should be remembered.

I received word from my friend Walter Blood the other day that Jim Clendenen has passed away last Sunday. I did have the opportunity to shake his hand and thank him for his great wines when I visited the Bien Nacido winery he shared with Bob and Louisa Lindquist a few years back. The following is from the Beverage Industry Enthusiast by Matt Kettmann.

“In an industry loaded with gregarious personalities, winemaker Jim Clendenen, who died on May 15 at 68 years old, was cut from even more colorful cloth.

With a flowing mane of wild hair, intense eyes and fierce confidence, Clendenen, the owner of Au Bon Climat winery, spent his entire career promoting the wines of Santa Barbara County around the world. He proved that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay could be made in a leaner, Burgundian style despite abundant California sunshine, and mentored generations of winemakers-to-be.”

Picture courtesy Beverage Industry Enthusiasts

“I have a good lifestyle, and I’ve been able to buy real estate, but every dollar I’ve earned in my life I earned in the wine business—not many people can say that,” Clendenen told me last year. He was honored to be among the few who could grow and self-sustain a small wine company. “It’s been a great trip,” he said.

I know personally from many Santa Barbara winemakers how big his impact has been and how many he has mentored, like the Lindquists, and how many he has inspired. He will be dearly missed.

Au Bon Climat Winery

Jim’s winery is located in Bien Nacido Vineyards and there is a tasting room in the city of Santa Barbara. It’s a lovely culinary city with an open horseshoe of mountains framing it to the east while it faces the Pacific. His focus was on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, done in a Burgundy style, thus the winery name which means a good climat. In Burgundy a climat is a designated plot of land, often rated premier or grand cru.

The winery makes several single vineyard or regional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, also Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Viognier. Nearly 30 wines are currently offered. Jim typically gets 92 to 95 points for his wines. Bob Parker is a big fan and so am I.

RIP, Jim, you’ve earned the rest.