Jim Clendenen
JIM CLENDENEN REMEMBERED
JIM CLENDENEN Mind Behind AU BON CLIMAT Gone too soon, Jim Clendenen, aka Mind Behind, just passed away. Jim was an iconic legend in so many ways. He founded Au Bon Climat in 1982 which was one of the very early wineries in Santa Barbara County. He began his career working at Zaca […]
Click here to read entire article »2017 ROSÉS – A REMARKABLE VINTAGE PART I
INTRODUCTION In May I published two articles introducing the 2017 Rosé season. THE ROSÉ PARADE IS IT ROSÉ TIME? Since then I have been very busy tasting and drinking 2017 Rosés. It has become an annual rite of passage for me over many years now. And, after decades of buying, tasting, and drinking […]
Click here to read entire article »2018 HILLSIDE HOUSE SUNSET SOIRÉE WITH JIM CLENDENEN OF AU BON CLIMAT
2018 HILLSIDE HOUSE SUNSET SOIRÉE WITH JIM CLENDENEN OF AU BON CLIMAT The annual Hillside House Sunset Soirée fundraising dinner was held June 9, 2018 at the historic El Mirador Estate in Montecito, CA (to read an article about the event click here ). It was a great success in all respects. The fundraiser was […]
Click here to read entire article »VISIT TO AU BON CLIMAT & QUPÉ AND A GREAT UPCOMING WINE & FOOD EVENT
Mind Behind Recently I visited Jim Clendenen, the founder and owner of Au Bon Climat aka “Mind Behind,” and his crew at Au Bon Climat & Qupé winery which is also affectionately referred to as “The Shed.” Accompanying me was Craig Olson, the President and CEO of Hillside House. Founded in 1945, Hillside House is a […]
Click here to read entire article »CHARITY WINE AUCTIONS OF 2014 HAVE ACHIEVED REMARKABLE SUCCESS
Naples Winter Wine Festival, 14th Annual — January 24 – 26, Naples, Florida A Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters, 25th Annual — May 17, Burbank, California Auction Napa Valley, 34th Annual — June 5 – 9, Napa Valley, Caifornia Vintage Affaire, 32nd Annual — June 21, Woodside, California St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church Cellar Classic, […]
Click here to read entire article »CHARITY WINE AUCTIONS ANNOUNCE EXCITING EVENTS FOR 2014
A Culinary Evening With The California Winemasters, 25th Annual — Saturday, May 17, Burbank, California Vintage Affaire, 32nd Annual — Saturday, June 21, Woodside, California St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church Cellar Classic, 5th Annual — Saturday, June 28, Los Olivos, California Central Coast Wine Classic, 30th Annual — Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 13, Avila […]
Click here to read entire article »IN PURSUIT OF BALANCE: A TRADE TASTING AND MORE
WITH VIEWS OF CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY AND CALIFORNIA PINOT NOIR FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES – IN PURSUIT OF BALANCE AND THE UNDERGROUND Introduction This was the second annual In Pursuit of Balance event which was conceived by Rajat Parr of Michael Mina and Sandhi Wines and Jasmine Hirsch of Hirsch Vineyards. The goal was […]
Click here to read entire article »THE OJAI VINEYARD
The Ojai Vineyard was started in 1983 by Adam Tolmach along with his wife Helen. Adam had been a partner with Jim Clendenen in starting Au Bon Climat in 1982. Prior to that time, he was the enologist at Zaca Mesa winery which was one of the early pioneer wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. It was there that he met Jim Clendenen. He remained a partner of Au Bon Climat until 1991 as he continued to develop his winery.
Click here to read entire article »THE HOLY TRINITY OF WINERIES
THE HOLY TRINITY OF WINERIES INTRODUCTION These three wineries are housed in one facility in Santa Maria. Au Bon Climat Winery (which means “a well exposed vineyard”) was founded in 1982 by Jim Clendenen and Adam Tolmach. Qupé Winery was also started in 1982 by Bob Lindquist. Chanin Wine Company was started in 2007 by […]
Click here to read entire article »TWO NEW FOOD AND WINE FESTIVALS ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR THEIR INITIAL EPICUREAN EXTRAVAGANAZAS
Two New Food and Wine Festivals Announce Plans For Their Initial Epicurean Extravaganzas
The First Annual Hawaii Food and Wine Festival Will Take Place on Oahu September 29 – October 1
The First Annual Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival Is Set To Occur October 13 – 16
