A passion for the French province of Alsace and the desire to create delightfully different wines inspired Claiborne (Clay) Thompson and Fredericka Churchill to found their boutique winery in 1983 in San Luis Obispo, California. Fredericka and Clay met when they taught language and literature at the University of Michigan. In 1981 they left “the groves of academe” for the vineyards of California, settling in the heart of the Edna Valley along California’s Central Coast. Their inaugural vintage of 565 cases of Dry Gewürztraminer and Dry Riesling confirmed the couple’s conviction that the Edna Valley was indeed an ideal site to grow aromatic grapes.
This year the husband-and-wife team and their staff raise their glasses to toast the 30th Anniversary of Claiborne & Churchill, with a stellar portfolio of wines that has expanded in intriguing ways. It now embraces other noble grapes of Alsace, including Pinot Gris, Dry Muscat, and Pinot Blanc, as well as several hand-crafted versions of Pinot Noir, the flagship red wine. In addition, there are limited bottlings of Syrah, Chardonnay, a Sparkling Rosé, several unique blends, and a sweet little list of dessert wines, all available only in the tasting room or through the Wine Club. Today Claiborne & Churchill produces some 8,000 cases of wine and boasts an Estate Vineyard of Riesling and Pinot Noir, sustainably-grown and certified. Four of their wines: Dry Riesling, Dry Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir are distributed nationwide. The family-owned winery’s staff has grown, too, including Winemaker Coby Parker-Garcia, who has been part of the C&C family for more than 10 years, as well as Fredericka and Clay’s daughter, Elizabeth, who helps in marketing and sales.
Anytime during this anniversary year is a great time to visit Claiborne & Churchill, but wine tourists are encouraged to check the winery website for updates on a grand celebration and the release of the 30th Anniversary Blend.
WHAT TO BUY
’12 Dry Riesling – $22
Orange blossom, honey, apricot, nectarine
’12 Dry Gewürztraminer – $22
Baking spices, Damask rose, lychee, passion fruit
’10 Pinot Noir – $28
Black cherry, red berries, dried herbs, anise, cedar
CONTACT
805-544-4066
info@claibornechurchill.com
claibornechurchill.com
TASTING
Tasting Room Open Daily 11–5
2649 Carpenter Canyon Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
SPECIAL NOTES
Barrel room tastings, picnic grounds, private events, spring/summer concert series, Sustainability in Practice (SIP) certified.
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Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
