For nearly half a century, Frank Stitt has developed a reputation as one of Birmingham’s culinary titans. While his restaurants—Bottega, Chez Fonfon and Highlands Bar & Grill—showcase Stitt’s unique blend of traditional European cuisine and comforting southern fare, one of his proudest creations is Frank’s Pinot Noir, a wine born out of a long-standing friendship with the late Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat.
Frank Stitt’s namesake wine honors his friendship with a legendary winemaker
Like all good tales, the story behind Frank’s Pinot Noir begins with friendship.
A little over three decades ago, Frank Stitt met Jim Clendenen, the famed winemaker who was key in putting California’s Santa Barbara County on the map as a world-class wine region. The two became fast friends, bonded by their shared love of travel, French cuisine and—of course—fine wines.
“Jim was this long-haired hippie from Southern California who, like me, fell in love with France in his 20’s. He traveled the world and worked with some of the best French wine makers, which gave him the insight and confidence to pursue a career in wine.”…