La Crema Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

La Crema Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County, California, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2021 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast critic Virginie Boone, underscoring its tropical depth and bright acidity — hallmarks of a dual-fermentation approach that distinguishes it from many California Sauvignon Blancs.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc  |  Winery: La Crema

Production & Heritage

La Crema has been family owned and operated since its founding in 1979, building a reputation across cool-climate California appellations. This Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in a combination of oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks — a deliberate choice that yields both the crisp, bright aromatics associated with stainless-steel fermentation and the fuller texture and volume imparted by oak. The result is a wine with noticeably more body and complexity than purely tank-fermented Sauvignon Blancs, while retaining the varietal's signature vibrancy.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Guava and passionfruit lead the nose, followed by orange blossom and pineapple. A subtle wet-stone minerality and grassy-herbaceous edge emerge as the wine opens, adding complexity beneath the tropical fruit.

Taste: The entry is bright with pomelo and grapefruit citrus, giving way to honeydew melon and exotic fruit at mid-palate. The oak component shows as a gentle roundness rather than overt wood flavor, lending the wine a textural quality unusual for the varietal. Acidity remains crisp and vibrant throughout, keeping everything lively and well-structured.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering citrus zest and a faint mineral undertone. The finish stays clean and refreshing, with just enough weight to leave a lasting impression.

How to Drink La Crema Sauvignon Blanc

Well-chilled — around 45–50°F — brings out the aromatic complexity without muting the wine's texture. This is a versatile bottle that rewards both solo sipping and mixing.

• Classic Spritzer: The vibrant acidity and tropical fruit hold up against soda water and a citrus twist, making an easy warm-weather drink.
• White Wine Sangria: Guava and passionfruit notes pair naturally with fresh tropical fruit, creating a layered sangria with minimal effort.
• Hugo Cocktail: The herbal undertones and bright acidity work well with elderflower liqueur and fresh mint in this Northern Italian aperitivo.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring seafood or light pasta dishes
• Warm-weather entertaining on a patio or poolside
• Introducing someone to California Sauvignon Blanc beyond the expected style
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates cool-climate California whites

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Crema Sauvignon Blanc taste like? It leads with tropical fruit — guava, passionfruit, and melon — layered over bright grapefruit citrus and a subtle mineral streak. Vibrant acidity runs throughout, balanced by a rounder, fuller mouthfeel than many varietal counterparts.

How does La Crema Sauvignon Blanc compare to Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc? Both are widely available California Sauvignon Blancs, but La Crema's dual fermentation in oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks gives it noticeably more texture and body. Kendall-Jackson's Vintner's Reserve tends to lean lighter and more purely fruit-driven, making La Crema the fuller-bodied of the two.

Is La Crema Sauvignon Blanc good for sipping on its own? Yes — the combination of tropical aromatics, crisp acidity, and oak-derived roundness makes it enjoyable without food. Serve it well-chilled for the best expression of its layered character.

Where is La Crema Sauvignon Blanc made? It is produced by La Crema winery using grapes sourced from Sonoma County, California. La Crema has operated as a family-owned winery since 1979, specializing in cool-climate appellations across the state.

What foods pair well with La Crema Sauvignon Blanc? Grilled shrimp or ceviche complement the citrus and tropical notes. Goat cheese salads echo the wine's herbal undertones. Seared scallops with a citrus beurre blanc match its weight and acidity. Thai green papaya salad mirrors the tropical profile, while lighter pasta dishes with pesto work alongside the grassy-herbaceous character.

What sizes does La Crema Sauvignon Blanc come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is La Crema Sauvignon Blanc worth the price? It positions as a mid-range California Sauvignon Blanc, and the 90-point Wine Enthusiast score for the 2021 vintage suggests strong quality for its tier. The dual-fermentation technique adds a dimension of texture not commonly found at this price level, offering solid value relative to comparable Sonoma County whites.

Why La Crema Sauvignon Blanc?

The defining feature here is the split fermentation between oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks — a production choice that gives this wine a textural richness most Sauvignon Blancs in its price range simply do not have. That approach earned recognition from Wine Enthusiast with a 90-point rating on the 2021 vintage, validating its ability to deliver beyond expectations. La Crema's four-plus decades of cool-climate winemaking in Sonoma County inform every aspect of the blend, from fruit selection to fermentation decisions. For anyone looking for a Sauvignon Blanc that bridges the gap between lean, grassy styles and richer, oak-aged whites, this bottling occupies a distinctive middle ground.