Knox Alexander and Isabelle Clendenen, the children of the late Jim Clendenen, are continuing the legacy of Au Bon Climat, the iconic California winery that played a pivotal role in establishing Santa Barbara County as a key player in cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The winery, known as ABC, is deeply rooted in international markets, with Japan being its largest foreign market. Around 45% of their sales come from exports, a characteristic that was integral to the Clendenen family’s upbringing. Isabelle recalls her father’s extensive travels, bringing back souvenirs and stories that sparked her interest in Japan and its culture. This fascination led her to learn the Japanese language and later work with one of ABC’s distributors, allowing her to bridge connections and enhance the winery’s presence in Japan.
Isabelle joined Au Bon Climat full time in 2018 and now plays a significant role in strengthening relationships with distributors, helping to grow Japan’s share of sales from 7% to 15%. Her contributions include hosting wine dinners and events where cultural pairings of food and wine take center stage.
In contrast, Knox’s journey back to the family business was less direct. After initially resisting the wine industry—as many people in the Santa Barbara region do—he found himself pivoting back after his father’s passing in 2021. Realizing the importance of contributing to his father’s legacy, Knox joined the production team at Au Bon Climat, focusing on winemaking alongside experienced professionals. He embraces the philosophy that the winery should merely pass the torch rather than drastically reinvent the wines that their father developed.
The siblings approach their roles from opposite directions—Isabelle outwardly connecting with the international market while Knox maintains the production values established by Jim. Together, they are finding ways to innovate without straying from the traditions that have made Au Bon Climat successful.
Through this transformative yet respectful continuation of their father’s work, Knox and Isabelle are not only preserving the essence of Au Bon Climat but also adapting it for a modern audience, ensuring its wines continue to resonate globally. They strive to present familiar wines in new and exciting contexts, confirming that in a rapidly changing world, the core values of Au Bon Climat remain steadfast.