La Crema

La Crema is a winery that crafts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from distinct sites across California and the Pacific Northwest. It works with vineyards in the Russian River Valley, the Sonoma Coast, Monterey, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley to reflect each place in the glass.

The winemaking relies on small-batch, hands-on methods—fermenting and aging lots separately, then blending for balance and clarity of flavor. This approach aims to highlight regional character, texture, and freshness while keeping the wines true to origin.

While Pinot Noir and Chardonnay remain the focus, La Crema also explores limited releases beyond these grapes, including a recent Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon. These bottlings follow the same careful sourcing and restrained technique, offering another view of the winery’s site-driven style.

La Crema is widely admired for its fusion of quality craftsmanship and broad availability, bringing cool-climate wines to a wide audience.

• Artisan roots — renowned for crafting exceptional Pinot Noir, La Crema emphasizes site-focused bottlings, maintaining a reputation among wine enthusiasts.
• Wide reach — as part of Jackson Family Wines, their bottles are easily found across the nation, from wine shops to event venues.
• Consistent quality — each bottle reflects careful vineyard sourcing, ensuring high standards and true expression of origin.
• Recognition and prestige — accolades such as Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year in 2024 cement their status in the wine community.

• Who owns La Crema Winery?
  La Crema is owned by Jackson Family Wines, a family-run business started by the late Jess Jackson. While part of this larger portfolio, La Crema maintains its own winemaking team and style.
• When was La Crema founded, and what does the name mean?
  La Crema was founded in 1979 in Sonoma County as La Crema Viñera, meaning the best of the vine. La Crema literally means the cream, commonly used to imply the best.
• What types of wine does La Crema produce?
  La Crema specializes in cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with occasional limited releases such as a Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Where does La Crema source its grapes?
  From California's Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley, and Monterey, as well as Oregon's Willamette Valley.
• How does La Crema ensure wine quality?
  Through small-batch, hands-on methods—fermenting and aging lots separately, then blending—to highlight freshness, balance, and regional character.
• What recognition has La Crema received?
  Named Wine Enthusiast’s 2024 American Winery of the Year.
• What is La Crema known for?
  Consistent, site-driven, cool-climate wines that reflect their vineyard origins.