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.