A good friend attended an event in late February called Open That Bottle Night where people brought memorable wines to share and provide a story as to why the bottle was special: OPEN THAT BOTTLE NIGHT - February 28, 2026 - National Today
His selection was well thought out and his discussion includes some fun memories and history of Sanford Winery and its estate vineyard. With his permission, here it is:
"This is a bottle full or stories, it also represents 50 years of S B county wine history.
This Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir, vintage 2020 is attached to that history by the fruit from the Sanford and Benedict vineyard.
With that kind of history there are enough stories to fill several books, so I will just highlight some of the early chapters,.
(Chapter 1) The year is 1970, Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict decided to try the wine business so they purchased 40,000 vine cuttings. With no land for a vineyard, they rented a 2 acre plot and with the help of several friends (myself included) planted those sticks 6” apart in muddy rows. A few of us returned thru-out the year to tend the nursery by pulling weeds and adding water as needed.
(footnote) This is the same year Connie and I met. We were on our first date in Solvang and after lunch stopped by the plot for a tour.
(Chapter 2) 1971, Sanford and Benedict Vineyard is born. Richard and Michael secured the property on Santa Rosa Rd and moved the 1 year old vines to their new home.
(Chapter 3) 1975, The first grape harvest produced a few barrels, wine was bottled and labeled but not bonded for sale. 1976, was the first commercial harvest. Connie and I joined the group of friends who helped with picking and production during the early days at Sanford and Benedict.
(footnote) 2 sherif deputies showed up mid harvest with a complaint about naked people picking grapes. It seems a couple had decided it was a more natural way to pick.
(footnote) I missed all the excitement as I was up at the barn helping Michael load the crushed grapes into the new oak fermenting barrels. These barrels were made at Gordon and Grant Hot Tubs with oak that Sanford brought in from France.
(margin note) Gordon and Grant started in 1973 and built their first redwood hottub at our house on the mesa.
After many other Chapters and stories we come to this bottle, the 2020 is the 45th vintage of pinot noir from the 50 acre “original vine section” of the Sanford and Benedict vineyard. Jim Clendenen crafted this wine in a Burgundian style, a style he consistently stayed true to.
I picked this particular bottle, not only for its association with for what is now 55 years of wine history, but also as a tribute and memorial to Jim “The Mind Behind”, as it has now become his last vintage.
Cheers !!!"
