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/PRNewswire/ The wine world has lost an icon. James Alexander Clendenen of Au Bon Climat Winery in Santa Maria, CA passed away Sunday, May 16th in his sleep..
Jim Clendenen, Santa Barbara Winemaking Pioneer, Dies at 68
With exuberant charisma and relentless traveling, he promoted his label, Au Bon Climat, and the region as a wine hub.
Jim Clendenen in 2009 at his winery, Au Bon Climat. He had a striking leonine mane of hair well after long hair had gone out of fashion and a goatee long before goatees came back in style. His wines were similarly distinctive but never trendy.Credit.Monica Almeida/The New York Times
May 19, 2021Updated 2:57 p.m. ET
Jim Clendenen, a larger than life, globe-trotting winemaker who through the force of his flamboyant personality and the understated beauty of his wines helped put the Santa Barbara region on the map, died on Saturday at his home in Buellton, Calif. He was 68.
The Au Bon Climat Winery founder was a father, mentor and friend to thousands worldwide
Jim Clendenen, left, and Shelby Sim, president and CEO of Visit SYV, pose for a photo at a wine event in 2017. (Shelby Sim photo) By Laurie Jervis, Noozhawk Columnist | @NoozhawkNews
May 18, 2021
| 11:14 a.m.
The global wine industry lost a pioneering winemaker with the sudden death of Jim Clendenen, founder of Santa Barbara County’s Au Bon Climat Winery. The Los Alamos resident was just 68 and died in his sleep on Saturday.
News of his death traveled like lightning across social media starting Sunday evening and continues as the legendary Clendenen’s family, friends, colleagues and longtime Santa Maria cellar crew struggle with and grieve his passing.
Jim Clendenen, Santa Barbara vintner who changed the course of California Pinot Noir, dies at 68
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Au Bon Climat winemaker Jim Clendenen, seen in 2019 in front of his wine library at his tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara.Erick Madrid/Special to The Chronicle 2019Show MoreShow Less
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Jim Clendenen, seen in 2019 at his tasting room, stayed true to his style of delicate, subtle winemaking even when it wasn’t popular.Erick Madrid/Special to The Chronicle 2019Show MoreShow Less
Jim Clendenen, the boisterous, rebellious founder of Au Bon Climat winery, who carved a path for subtler, European-inspired Pinot Noirs in California, has died. The winery confirmed his death but did not disclose a cause. He was 68.