Napa Chardonnay Blush is a golden yellow cherry tomato that emerged as a spontaneous mutation from the beloved Napa Rosé Blush. This indeterminate heirloom reaches maturity in just 70 days and thrives in containers or garden beds across hardiness zones 3-12. What struck early tasters most wasn't just its stunning color, but a flavor so exceptional that many called it the finest cherry tomato they'd ever encountered. Growing it is refreshingly straightforward, and the prolific vines reward even novice gardeners with abundant harvests.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-12
6in H x ?in W
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High
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Brad Gates, the breeder who selected this variety, describes it simply: 'super-amazing flavor.' That's no hyperbole. First-time tasters consistently rank it among the best cherry tomatoes they've ever grown, with a richness that belies its delicate appearance. The golden blush on each fruit hints at its complex taste, while the plant's natural vigor and container-friendliness mean you can tuck productivity into nearly any garden space. At 70 days from seed to harvest, gratification arrives quickly.
These cherry tomatoes shine eaten fresh, straight from the vine. Their bright color and exceptional flavor make them natural candidates for salads, where their size and delicate sweetness add visual pop and genuine taste complexity. The prolific production on compact vines also makes them excellent for container growing on patios and balconies, where home cooks can simply step outside for handfuls of ripe fruit.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep in sterile seed-starting mix kept between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect germination in 7-14 days. Once seedlings develop true leaves, provide bright light and maintain temperatures in the 75-95 degree range. Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before transplanting.
Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Space plants 24 inches apart. Water gently at the base to establish roots without shocking the young plants.
Pick fruit when fully colored golden yellow and slightly soft to the touch. In the warm growing season, cherry tomatoes ripen quickly once they begin to color. Harvest every 2-3 days at peak ripeness to encourage continued flowering and fruiting. Gently twist and pull, or use pruners to avoid damaging the delicate vines.
Because this is an indeterminate variety, it will grow and produce continuously throughout the season. Remove suckers (small shoots that form between the main stem and branches) to direct energy toward fruit production and improve air circulation, which reduces disease pressure. Prune lower leaves as the plant grows to keep foliage off the soil.
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“Napa Chardonnay Blush arose as a yellow mutation within Brad Gates' Napa Rosé Blush breeding work. Rather than being lost, this unexpected color variation was recognized for its superior flavor and deliberately selected and stabilized by Gates. The variety preserves that selection history as an heirloom, carrying forward both the accidental discovery that sparked it and the intentional work that brought it to gardeners.”