From his Santa Maria Valley winery, Clendenen helped raise the quality of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Au Bon Climate co-founder and winemaker Jim Clendenen was honored at chef Emeril Lagasse s Carnivale du Vin charity event. (Steven Freeman) By May 17, 2021
Jim Clendenen, who brought a love of Burgundy to his groundbreaking Santa Barbara winery Au Bon Climat and helped put the region on the world winemaking stage, died in his sleep the night of May 15 at his home in the Los Alamos district near the town of Buellton, Calif. He was 68.
Clendenen was a tireless proponent and guiding light for Santa Barbara wines from his base in the cool-climate Santa Maria Valley in the northern reaches of the county. His Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from a variety of vineyar