2023 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County

Au Bon Climat's tagline is "An homage to the wines of Burgundy" and that sums it up nicely. It's hard to talk about Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir without mentioning Alexander Payne's film "Sideways." The film came at just the right time, when Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir was already gaining popularity.

This Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir is typical of Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir, with classic fruit aromas and an earthy depth. Aromas of red currant, blueberry and blood orange come to the fore, followed by subtle notes of bay leaf, white pepper and wet stone. The palate is perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of tannin and acidity, which provides excellent structure and a pleasant mouthfeel.

Winemaker Notes
This wine is a handcrafted blend from the finest vineyards in Santa Barbara County. The majority of the blend comes from the Santa Maria Valley, with grapes from Bien Nacido, North Canyon, and Rancho Real, and a small percentage from Kick On and Los Alamos Vineyard in the Los Alamos region. Our winemaking processes have been consistent for 40 years, with a focus on traditional, time-tested techniques. The grapes are hand-harvested, fermented in small batches, hand-dipped daily, and aged in François Frères French oak barrels for 8-12 months. This small barrel aging adds depth and complexity to our Pinot Noir.

Background story
It’s hard to talk about Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir without mentioning Alexander Payne’s film “Sideways.” The film came at just the right time, as Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir was already gaining popularity. A new generation of vineyard managers were making improvements, and winemakers were getting to know the local Pinot Noir better. The combination of better grapes, improved winemaking, and the popularity of the film led to a huge increase in demand for Pinot Noir from the region. Nearly two decades after the film’s release in 2004, its influence is still felt today. Au Bon Climat has been at the forefront of this movement, producing Burgundian-style Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County since 1982, long before “Sideways” was released.

With classic fruity aromas and earthy depth, this wine is ideal for pairing with food. In its youth, it pairs well with lamb or lighter meats. After a few years, as the flavors become more balanced, it is delicious with salmon or a smooth red pasta sauce. We have enjoyed this wine with a variety of dishes, from spicy Indian dishes to typical American sandwiches, and it paired well with almost everything. The possibilities for food pairings are endless.

FACT: The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose Pick up in Checkout page. We are located almost next to the Rijksweg with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.