DAN BERGER
Neither Jim Clendenen nor Dr. David Bruce chose the easiest path when they got into the merry-go-round we call winemaking.
I knew both of these skilled men for more than 40 years and was truly saddened by their passings in the last month, leaving the world of wine far poorer. But both achieved greatness despite opting to climb a greased pole by opting to make pinot Noir in Californiaâs occasionally disparaged Central Coast wine region.
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/PRNewswire/ The wine world has lost an icon. James Alexander Clendenen of Au Bon Climat Winery in Santa Maria, CA passed away Sunday, May 16th in his sleep..
Jim Clendenen, Santa Barbara Winemaking Pioneer, Dies at 68
With exuberant charisma and relentless traveling, he promoted his label, Au Bon Climat, and the region as a wine hub.
Jim Clendenen in 2009 at his winery, Au Bon Climat. He had a striking leonine mane of hair well after long hair had gone out of fashion and a goatee long before goatees came back in style. His wines were similarly distinctive but never trendy.Credit.Monica Almeida/The New York Times
May 19, 2021Updated 2:57 p.m. ET
Jim Clendenen, a larger than life, globe-trotting winemaker who through the force of his flamboyant personality and the understated beauty of his wines helped put the Santa Barbara region on the map, died on Saturday at his home in Buellton, Calif. He was 68.
The Au Bon Climat Winery founder was a father, mentor and friend to thousands worldwide
Jim Clendenen, left, and Shelby Sim, president and CEO of Visit SYV, pose for a photo at a wine event in 2017. (Shelby Sim photo) By Laurie Jervis, Noozhawk Columnist | @NoozhawkNews
May 18, 2021
| 11:14 a.m.
The global wine industry lost a pioneering winemaker with the sudden death of Jim Clendenen, founder of Santa Barbara County’s Au Bon Climat Winery. The Los Alamos resident was just 68 and died in his sleep on Saturday.
News of his death traveled like lightning across social media starting Sunday evening and continues as the legendary Clendenen’s family, friends, colleagues and longtime Santa Maria cellar crew struggle with and grieve his passing.