Santa Barbara County’s climate and terroir consistently enable Au Bon Climat to produce balanced and lively Chardonnays year after year. Our 2024 Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is sourced from four carefully farmed vineyards: Bien Nacido, Los Alamos, Rancho Real, and North Canyon. Throughout September the fruit is handpicked and sorted in the vineyard, then whole cluster pressed. The juice is quickly settled, chilled, and transferred to barrels for primary fermentation and malolactic fermentation. The following summer, the lots are blended and the wine is bottled, after 8 months of sur lie barrel aging in neutral François Frères barrels.
This Chardonnay is brimming with fresh, floral citrus notes—kumquat, Buddha’s hand, and grapefruit—evolving into slightly sweeter aromas of vanilla icing and lemon meringue pie. On the palate, refreshing acidity provides balance, with a light to medium weight that makes it exceptionally food-friendly. A white wine that always earns its place at the dining table.
This Chardonnay is brimming with fresh, floral citrus notes—kumquat, Buddha’s hand, and grapefruit—evolving into slightly sweeter aromas of vanilla icing and lemon meringue pie. On the palate, refreshing acidity provides balance, with a light to medium weight that makes it exceptionally food-friendly. A white wine that always earns its place at the dining table.
