Clendenen Family Vineyards Friulano

Jim Clendenen was famous for producing internationally acclaimed Pinot Noir & Chardonnay in California. Amongst the region’s top producers, the wines he started producing in 1982 set the standard for modern, terroir-driven Californian wine from Burgundian grapes. Wines under the Clendenden Family Vineyards label are not just another label – this was a project of passion for Jim. These are artisan, nuanced wines from small lots producing distinctive wines that have had the luxury to be in the barrel as long as they need it. Long-lived, food-friendly, with firm acidity and moderate alcohol, they are really special parts of Jim’s story that we are honoured to import and represent in the UK.

The North-Eastern Italian varietal (Tocai) Friulano is very rare in California. Jim Clendenen loved the examples that Italy makes and insisted that the grape must be planted next door to the winery on Bien Nacidos vineyards. Just a small parcel exists which Jim bottled under his passion project label, Clendenen Family Vineyards. In the cool Santa Maria Valley, Friulano produces small and intense bunches of grapes with brilliant flavours and aromatics true to the variety.

The wine is delicately floral with aromas of stone fruits, peach stone, and a touch of almond. In the mouth, the oak ageing is subtle and well-integrated; it has flavours of peach and stone fruits, almond, bright honey suckle, apple and pear. A brilliant example of the grape, drink this wine as an aperitif or with lighter dishes such as quiche or crab salad.