2022 PINOT GRIS / BLANC, Au Bon Climat. Santa Barbara, California

Au Bon Climat are based in the Bien Nacido vineyard in the heart of Santa Barbara County – the (relatively) cool climate area north of Los Angeles, where Burgundian and Rhone varieties predominate. Made famous by the film ‘Sideways’ which helped kickstart the trend away from heavy Chardonnays and Cabernets.
The Pinot Gris for this wine comes from the El Camino vineyard (near Los Alamos) and Sierra Madre Vineyard (in western Santa Maria Valley); the Pinot Blanc from Bien Nacido (where the winery is located).

80% Pinot Gris, 20% Pinot Blanc; matured on its lees in older oak barrels for 6 months – but certainly no new wood used.

Jim Clendenen is the self-styled ‘wild boy’ winemaker / owner of ABC. His hippy attitude is at least partly reflected in the very ‘natural’ style of his wines.

Lovely balance of freshness and ripeness. Really classy stuff – not expensive at all by California standards.