Is La Crema Chardonnay good?
La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is one of the best grocery-store Chardonnays: rich enough to feel special, with enough freshness that it never gets heavy.
La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay · Chardonnay · Sonoma Coast, California · most grocery stores and wine shops
- Alcohol
- About 13.5%
- Sweetness
- Dry
- Grapes
- Chardonnay
- Made by
- La Crema, part of Jackson Family Wines
- From
- Sonoma Coast, California
- Price
- About $20 to $25
- Calories
- About 120 to 125 in a 5 oz glass, like most Chardonnays
What it tastes like
Lemon, yellow apple and a little toasty vanilla, and it ends bright and mouthwatering. Acidity (the tangy part that makes your mouth water) keeps it lively.
- Bodylight → big
- Sweetnessdry → sweet
- Zingsoft → zippy
Is it worth $22?
Yes. It costs a few dollars more than the big everyday names, and you can taste where the money went. It's a step up that still feels approachable.
Who it’s for
Chardonnay fans ready to trade a little butter for a little zip. If you only drink the creamiest style, Bread & Butter or Rombauer will feel more familiar.
How to serve it
Chilled, then out of the fridge for ten to fifteen minutes before pouring.
The backstory
La Crema started in 1979 as La Crema Viñera, "the best of the vine." Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke, the couple behind Kendall-Jackson, bought it in 1993 and turned it into their cool-climate label. Sonoma Coast vineyards get fog and ocean breeze, which keeps the grapes tangy. The wine is aged in oak on its lees (spent yeast), stirred a couple of times a month, which is where the creamy feel comes from without it getting heavy.
How it compares
- La Crema Chardonnay vs KJ Chardonnay
KJ is a sister brand that is rounder, sweeter-tasting and about $7 cheaper; La Crema is drier, brighter and feels more grown-up.
- La Crema Chardonnay vs Rombauer
Rombauer is the famous butter bomb at nearly twice the price; pick La Crema if you want richness with more zip and less money.
- La Crema Chardonnay vs Josh Chardonnay
Josh is lighter and simpler for about $8 less; La Crema has more layers and a longer, fresher finish.
What to eat with it
Questions people ask
- Is La Crema Chardonnay buttery?
- A little, but it's not a butter bomb. You get some creaminess and toasty vanilla, balanced by lemon and apple and a bright, tangy finish.
- Is La Crema Chardonnay oaky?
- Moderately. It is fermented and aged in oak barrels, but the oak sits in the background as toast and vanilla rather than taking over.
- Is La Crema Chardonnay sweet?
- No, it's dry. Ripe fruit flavors like peach and pineapple can seem sweet, but the acidity keeps it crisp.
- Which La Crema Chardonnay is better?
- The Sonoma Coast is the one most stores carry and the best value. The Monterey bottling is usually a few dollars cheaper and a bit softer, while single-area bottles like Russian River Valley cost more and taste richer.
- How much is La Crema Chardonnay?
- The Sonoma Coast usually runs about $20 to $25, often less on sale at big grocery and warehouse stores.
If you like this, try
- KJ ChardonnayChardonnay · about $15Good buy
- RombauerChardonnay · about $40Drink this one
- Josh ChardonnayChardonnay · about $14Good buy
Where Moxie recommends it
- What wine goes with salmon?
- What wine goes with lobster?
- What is Chardonnay?
- Chardonnay vs Pinot Grigio: what's the difference?
Last checked 2026-10-04. Moxie Vino isn’t affiliated with La Crema; this is our honest take. Bottle photo: La Crema.