Is La Crema Pinot Noir good?
Yes, La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is one of the best grocery-store Pinot Noirs: bright, silky and genuinely balanced for about $25.
La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir · Pinot Noir · Sonoma Coast, California · most grocery stores, Costco and wine shops
- Alcohol
- About 13.5%
- Sweetness
- Dry
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir
- Made by
- La Crema, owned by Jackson Family Wines
- From
- Sonoma Coast, California
- Price
- About $20 to $28
- Calories
- About 120 in a 5 oz glass
What it tastes like
Fresh cherry, raspberry and a bit of cola and spice. It is light on its feet but still juicy, and it ends clean and refreshing.
- Bodylight → big
- Sweetnessdry → sweet
- Zingsoft → zippy
- Gripsmooth → grippy
Is it worth $25?
Yes. It tastes like a proper California Pinot Noir rather than a sweetened-up one, and Costco often has it for less. This is the bottle to step up to after Meiomi.
Who it’s for
For anyone who wants an elegant red that works with almost any dinner, especially chicken, salmon and holiday tables. If you only like big, bold reds, it may feel too light.
How to serve it
Chill for 20 minutes before opening. Pour into a big glass if you have one; it opens up nicely.
The backstory
La Crema started in 1979 as La Crema Viñera, roughly "best of the vine", and the Jackson family of Kendall-Jackson bought it in 1993. It sticks to cool spots where ocean fog and wind slow the grapes down, which keeps the wine fresh instead of jammy. That is the big difference you taste next to sweeter-style Pinots: real acidity (the mouthwatering zing) and a clean, dry finish.
How it compares
- La Crema Pinot Noir vs Meiomi
Meiomi is richer, jammier and noticeably sweeter-tasting; pick La Crema if you want a drier, fresher Pinot that loves food.
- La Crema Pinot Noir vs Bread & Butter Pinot
Bread & Butter is softer and cheaper; La Crema has more brightness and detail for a few more dollars.
- La Crema Pinot Noir vs Duboeuf Beaujolais
Beaujolais-Villages is lighter, fruitier and half the price; La Crema is silkier and more grown-up.
What to eat with it
Questions people ask
- Is La Crema Pinot Noir sweet?
- No, it's a dry wine. It tastes of ripe cherry and raspberry, but there's very little sugar and a fresh, tart finish.
- Who makes La Crema?
- Jackson Family Wines, the family company behind Kendall-Jackson. They have owned La Crema since 1993.
- Where is La Crema Pinot Noir from?
- This one is from the Sonoma Coast, a cool, foggy stretch of Sonoma County. La Crema also makes Pinots from Monterey, Russian River Valley and Oregon's Willamette Valley, so check which one you are grabbing.
- How much is La Crema Pinot Noir?
- About $20 to $28. The winery lists it at $28, but Costco and grocery chains often sell it in the low to mid $20s.
- Which La Crema Pinot Noir is best?
- The Sonoma Coast is the easy everyday pick and the one most stores carry. The Russian River Valley and Willamette Valley bottles cost more and are a bit richer or earthier if you want to step up.
If you like this, try
- MeiomiPinot Noir · about $22Good buy
- Bread & Butter PinotPinot Noir · about $15Good buy
- Duboeuf BeaujolaisGamay · about $13Drink this one
Where Moxie recommends it
- What wine goes with turkey?
- What wine goes with duck?
- What is the best wine for Christmas dinner?
- What is a light red wine?
- What is Pinot Noir?
- Pinot Noir vs Cabernet Sauvignon: what's the difference?
- Pinot Noir vs Merlot: 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 (Jackson Family Wines).