Is Josh Chardonnay good?
Josh Chardonnay is a good everyday white: soft, fruity and lightly creamy, less heavy than the really buttery California bottles.
Josh Cellars Chardonnay · Chardonnay · California · most grocery stores, Target and Costco
- Alcohol
- About 13.5%
- Sweetness
- Dry, with ripe fruit
- Grapes
- Chardonnay
- Made by
- Josh Cellars, owned by Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
- From
- California
- Price
- About $12 to $16
- Calories
- About 120 to 125 in a 5 oz glass, like most Chardonnays
What it tastes like
Green apple, pear and a little lemon, with a light touch of vanilla. It's medium-weight, so it feels smooth without coating your mouth.
- Bodylight → big
- Sweetnessdry → sweet
- Zingsoft → zippy
Is it worth $14?
At about $14 it's fair. It's a crowd-pleaser more than a standout, which is exactly what you want for a weeknight or a group.
Who it’s for
People who like Chardonnay but find the big buttery ones too much. Also a safe bet when you're bringing a bottle and don't know the host's taste.
How to serve it
Fridge-cold. It holds up fine for two or three days with the cork back in.
The backstory
Joseph Carr started Josh Cellars in 2007 and named it after his dad, Josh, a military veteran, lumberjack and volunteer firefighter. Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits bought the brand in 2011 and turned it into one of the biggest names in the grocery aisle. The Chardonnay is fermented mostly in steel tanks with a smaller share in French oak, which is why it tastes fresh and fruity with just a light swipe of vanilla.
How it compares
- Josh Chardonnay vs KJ Chardonnay
KJ is richer, rounder and a touch sweeter; choose Josh if you want lighter and crisper, KJ if you want the classic creamy California glass.
- Josh Chardonnay vs Bread & Butter Chardonnay
Bread & Butter is full-on buttery and oaky; Josh is the pick for people who find that style heavy.
- Josh Chardonnay vs La Crema Chardonnay
La Crema costs about $8 more and has more zip and depth; Josh is the easier, cheaper weeknight bottle.
What to eat with it
Questions people ask
- Is Josh Chardonnay sweet?
- No, it's a dry white. The ripe peach and apple flavors and a hint of honey can feel a little sweet, but there isn't much actual sugar in it.
- Is Josh Chardonnay buttery?
- Only lightly. It has a soft, creamy edge and a little vanilla, but it's much less buttery than Bread & Butter or Rombauer.
- Is Josh Chardonnay oaked or unoaked?
- Lightly oaked. Most of it is fermented in stainless steel tanks and a smaller part in French oak barrels, so you get freshness first and just a touch of vanilla.
- How many calories are in a bottle of Josh Chardonnay?
- Roughly 600 to 625 in a 750 ml bottle, or about 120 to 125 in a 5 oz glass. Josh doesn't publish exact numbers, so treat that as a ballpark.
- Who is Josh Cellars named after?
- Founder Joseph Carr's father, Josh. He wasn't a winemaker, which is kind of the charm: the brand is meant to be a down-to-earth, share-it-with-friends wine.
If you like this, try
- KJ ChardonnayChardonnay · about $15Good buy
- La Crema ChardonnayChardonnay · about $22Drink this one
- Bread & Butter ChardonnayChardonnay · about $15Good buy
Where Moxie recommends it
- What wine goes with pork?
- What's the best wine under $15?
- What is Chardonnay?
- Chardonnay vs Pinot Grigio: what's the difference?
Last checked 2026-10-04. Moxie Vino isn’t affiliated with Josh Cellars; this is our honest take. Bottle photo: Josh Cellars.