Description

Driven by his passion for Burgundy, Jim Clendenen founded ABC (Au Bon Climat) with Adam Tolmach in 1982, with the goal of creating wines that truly express their terroir. Their wines combine the elegance and restraint of European styles with a distinctive touch of New World flair. ABC sources its grapes from some of Central Coast’s top vineyards, including the renowned Bien Nacido and Clendenen s own “Le Bon Climat.” Clendenen, who passed away in 2021, is remembered as one of the most charismatic and influential figures in the wine world of his generation.

The crispness of the Pinot Gris in this blend provides vibrant energy, while the Pinot Blanc adds minerality and depth. Most of the Pinot Gris is sourced from Sierra Madre Vineyard, while the Pinot Blanc comes from Bien Nacido Vineyard. Both varieties feature small grapes on tight clusters, increasing the skin-to-juice ratio, and thus, intensifying flavour. Hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed, and barrel-fermented in neutral French oak, the wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation to soften the Pinot Gris s sharp acidity, adding richness. It then rests sur lie until late spring, after which it spends six months in barrel before bottling. The blend consists of 60% Pinot Gris and 40% Pinot Blanc.