Laurie Jervis: A Year in the Life of a New Santa Maria Valley Vineyard — Part 5 noozhawk.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from noozhawk.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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.