Clendenen Family Vineyards ‘The Pip’ Nebbiolo

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 “Pip” wines are made with the same hand-crafted approach as all the Clendenen Family Wines and aim to provide wines that can be enjoyed sooner; a shorter period in oak barrels, less new wood and more grapes from the younger vines which complement this style. Jim was a huge fan of Piedmont which was not being experimented with in California. All CFV Nebbiolo is grown in a tiny 1.63-acre section of Bien Nacido vineyard which produces a small, world-class intense crop.

Four years of barrel ageing have produced a harmonious, deep, layered Nebbiolo with aromas and flavours of plums, dried roses, apricot jam, and blueberry with a subtle earthiness. The balance between the richness, the bright acidity, and moderated tannins, make this wine a versatile food wine and an outstanding example of what California can produce from this varietal.