2015 Au Bon Climat The Big One High Museum Auction Pinot Noir

Au Bon Climat was founded in 1982 by winemaker Jim Clendenen. The name means “well-exposed vineyard” and the winery is on the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. Clendenen developed a taste for wine and winemaking during a college year abroad in the 1970s. He worked at wineries in California, France and Australia before starting Au Bon Climat with his former business partner Adam Toimach. The winery owns 100 acres and also sources grapes from other Central Coast vineyards. Clendenen is widely admired for his Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, though he has also branched into Italian style blends.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.