La Crema, founded in 1979, has its home in Sonoma County and treats the Russian River Valley as a benchmark source for Chardonnay. The AVA's defining feature is the maritime influence of the Pacific: coastal fog rolls in through the Petaluma Gap most evenings and burns off late, moderating warm days so grapes ripen slowly and hold acidity. Vineyards sit largely on the free-draining Goldridge sandy loam that gives the region its finesse. The 2023 vintage followed a very wet winter and ran cool and late, extending the hang time; the unhurried season favoured Chardonnay, building flavour and texture while keeping the fresh, bright line that defines the valley.

Grapes were harvested across several passes and whole-cluster pressed, with the juice settled before fermentation. Fermentation took place in French oak barrels, a proportion new, to give the wine its characteristic plush, round texture and creamy oak framing. The wine went through malolactic fermentation to soften acidity and add breadth, then aged on its lees with regular stirring to build the supple mid-palate and mouthfeel. Individual barrel lots were tasted and blended to preserve balanced acidity alongside the rich, creamy profile before a gentle fining and bottling.