HALL OF FAME CHARDONNAY
L A CREMA WINERY
“The key to our longstanding commitment to quality is our vineyard sources, which span from Monterey to the Willamette Valley, and the sustainable practices we implement that result in wines made with care and intention.” —Craig McAllister, head winemaker
By Rosie Padilla
S onoma County’s proximity to the coast fits in with La Crema Winery’s cultivation of cool-climate chardonnay and pinot noir. And La Crema’s consistent awards in the Best Chardonnay category has cemented its place in the inaugural Best of the North Bay Hall of Fame. Originally founded in 1979 as La Crema Viñera—which means “Best of the Vine”—La Crema continues to deliver distinct, elegant wines that can be found in local grocery stores for everyday drinking, explains Head Winemaker Craig McAllister. “The key to our longstanding commitment to quality is our vineyard sources, which span from Monterey to the Willamette Valley, and the sustainable practices we implement that result in wines made with care and intention,” says McAllister. With over 40 years worth of experience cultivating cool- climate chardonnay and pinot noir, La Crema continues to expand and discover the best sites across the West Coast. This journey has led to the expansion of La Crema’s portfolio with the addition of pinot gris and sauvignon blanc. This family-owned winery has continued to incorporate sustainable practices via water use innovation, regenerative farming, carbon sequestration, solar power generation and more in an attempt to become climate-positive by 2050. “Since 2008, La Crema has saved a million gallons of water every year in its winemaking
Craig McAllister admiring the vines and gaining inspiration for his next winemaking project.
which allows for natural pest control, weed eaters, organic matter producers and topsoil aerators. McAllister clued NorthBay biz readers in on how the cool meso-climates and well-drained soils on the vineyard allow for the production of, “distinctive, balanced wines.” The grapes ripen slowly, McCallister explains, and see long hang times which develops complex flavors, aromas and firm acid structure. “When the fruit moves to the cellar we implement a hands- on winemaking approach with precision sorting and small batch techniques including micro tanks and French oak barrels, all of which ensure an uncompromised level of quality that is always promised and always delivered,” says McAllister. Visit La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard, 3575 Slusser Road in Windsor for a reserved wine tasting or participate in a guided tour through the property. Choose from a variety of tasting experiences which range from sparkling wines and oyster pairings to wine and caviar pairings. v
process by using BlueMorph UV lights to sanitize tanks, high- pressure nozzles for cleaning and an innovative barrel washing system that re-uses recycled water up to three times,” says McAllister. The head winemaker went on to share that on the estate there are over 100 sheep and chickens that graze the vineyard daily
La Crema was founded in 1979 and you can visit the La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard in Windsor.
lacrema.com
20 Northbaybiz
Best of the North Bay 2024
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