Address: 3575 Slusser Road. Windsor, CA. 95492
La Crema Estate at SaraLee’s Vineyard is one of Russian River Valley’s Pioneering wineries. It was founded in 1979, and was called La Crema Vinera which translates to “Best of the Vine”. La Crema is well known for it’s Burgundian- style Chadonnay and Pinot Noir. Mr. Rod Berglund founded La Crema and the current winemaker is Mr. Craig McAllister. The Estate Winery also has a old, remodeled historical barn dated back in 1900. The rustic, historic barn has a floor to ceiling glass windows with an amazing views on all angles of the Vineyard in the hills. The La Crema Estate at SaraLee’s Vineyard is about 1 hour and 20 minutes (70 miles) away from San Francisco/Daly City via US-101 North. The winery is open 7 days a week from 10 am- 5 pm. The La Crema Winery is currently by reservation and also accepts walk-in customers.
We arrived early at the winery around 10 am which our appointment was scheduled for 10:30 am. Our short drive from the main gate to the wine tasting room was relaxing as we saw rows of vineyards with colorful flowers. Since we arrived early, we decided to check out the surrounding area and took pictures of the property and the Historic Barn. As we went to the historic barn, we were immediately greeted by our server/sommelier “Kayla” who was very knowledgeable, professional, friendly, fast, and provided us with excellent service. Kayla checked us in and showed us the area where the reserved picnic tables are located and later brought the wine out to our picnic table. The winery grounds were very clean, relaxing, beautiful and surrounded by colorful roses and flowers all over the property. There were also a lot of outdoor tables situated all over the property with a gorgeous view of the private vineyard. And most of the outdoor tables have sunshades to keep their customers cool on a sunny day.
One of the best part of our experience was when we went inside the old, rustic, historical remodeled barn dated in 1900 and was converted into a beautiful tasting rooms for all their guests. The architectural design of the historical barn was very detailed with floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the vineyards, rustic lighting, spiral staircase, large outdoor patios and cozy sofas for guests to relax while drinking their wines. The setting or cozy architectural design inside made us want to stay there all day.
Here are some of La Crema’s Estate Winery wine tasting options and all prices are per person/guest except the picnic table package. All package prices are discounted for wine club members.
Estate Tasting is a seated wine tasting in one of their outdoor patio overlooking the vineyard with 6 wines to try and sample. The price is $40 per guest for non members with a maximum of 10 guests including non tasters. 9 Barrel Tasting is an intimate wine tasting experience with the view of the vineyard. You will sample 5 of their small production high tier wines for $80 per non-member guest, maximum of 8 guests and available Mon-Thursday. Picnic Table is a reserved table good for 8 guests maximum and is located in front of SaraLee’s beautiful vineyards where you get to bring your own food/snacks for $50 but a minimum of one bottle purchase is required. Our picnic table reservation fee was waived since we bought 3 bottles of wines. And finally the Tour & tasting is a unique tour around the beautiful vineyard via a golf cart, the price is $85 per guest for non members and available from Monday- Thursday.
Overall, we were satisfied with the quality of the wine (my wife tasted and bought the 2018 Kelli Ann for $55/bottle), ambiance, the beautiful historical barn and the outstanding service of the staff members especially Kayla. It’s a magical place that transported us back in time due to it’s casual relaxing atmosphere, and rustic architectural property design. Their reserved picnic tables with the relaxing views of the beautiful vineyards with ripened grapes, the outstanding service, and the warm sunny weather made our wine tasting experience at La Crema memorable. Our intimate or private setting of our picnic table is worth the cost due to it’s amazing unobstructed view of the rows of vineyards.
Tips: They have a large parking lot area for all their customers. One parking lot area is made up of sand/gravel while the other one is cemented. We bought some snacks such as cheese, crackers, dried fruits, water and juice at Mike’s Truck Garden Produce Market along the way. Don’t forget to ask the receptionist information about the self guided tour of the property. You may walk around their property especially the vineyards with all the ripened grapes. There a re a lot of great photo opportunities all over the entire property. The picnic table has a time limit of 90 minutes while kids and dogs are welcome in the property.
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