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Marguarite Clark (949) 295-2801 [email protected]

 

SOUTH COAST WINERY AND CARTER ESTATE WINERY HONORED WITH 16 MEDALS AT 2025 WINEMAKER CHALLENGE

Carter Family Wineries Earn Top Scores for Estate-Grown Selections, including Sparkling and Reserve Labels

From TEMECULA, Calif. – South Coast Winery and Carter Estate Winery, owned by the Carter family, received a combined total of 16 awards at the 17th Annual Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition, held April 11–12. The awards include Platinum, Gold and Silver honors, recognizing wines across a variety of styles, price points and regions.

Rich Cook, competition director, and his team gave comments about the three Platinum awardees submitted by South Coast Winery:

  • 2021 Boulder Red Estate Grown Big Rock Reserve, Wild Horse Peak, South Coast earned 94 points and sells for $48. “This wine is still integrating its oak load, but it’ll be worth sticking around to see it folding together over time. The blueberry fruit character is vibrant, with notes of mace and faint dried herbs just beginning to join in. Tuck this away for a few years or decant it thoroughly before serving with roast duck.”
  • 2024 GVR Estate Grown, Temecula Valley, earned 95 points and sells for $27. “Here is a delicious white wine at a fair price that will cover a lot of ground, meaning that if you’re a restaurateur, you will want this on your list. It has a finely tuned mix of tropical fruit, honeyed character, and soft herb accents that make it a total pleasure. Toss in the structured, but forgiving acidity, and you’ve got all kinds of pairing possibilities – seafood, chicken, salads, sunshine – have fun!”
  • 2024 Sparkling Pinot Grigio Estate Grown, Temecula Valley, earned 94 points and sells for $27. “This says Pinot Grigio on the label, but any maker of Oregon Pinot Gris would be happy to call this wine their own. It’s got a richness that leans Alsatian in character, and the fizz just lifts everything up in a way that both novices and snobs will appreciate. Just the right dosage really makes it work in a just barely off-dry style. From picnics to galas, this will please virtually everyone.”

South Coast Winery also received four Gold medals for the following wines:

  • NV 20-Year-Old Tawny Estate Grown, South Coast, 93 points
  • 2023 Pinot Blanc Estate Grown Sur Lie, Temecula Valley, 91 points
  • 2021 Sangiovese Wild Horse Peak, Thunder Bolt Block, South Coast, 90 points
  • 2023 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer Estate Grown, Temecula Valley, 90 points

Carter Estate Winery earned Gold medals for:

  • 2016 Brut Estate Grown, Lot No. 0003, South Coast, 93 points
  • 2023 Les Nobles Estate Grown Private Reserve, Lot No. 0002, Temecula Valley, 90 points

“We are once again appreciative of the dedication and hard work that the Winemaker Challenge organizers and judges contribute to this event and to our industry,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality. “As always, we salute our master winemaker, Jon McPherson, and his talented team for their continued excellence.”

A complete list of winners and other Winemaker Challenge Competition information is available at https://www.winemakerchallenge.com.

 

About Carter Estate Winery and Resort
Carter Estate Winery and Resort is a distinguished wine country haven nestled on 109 acres in the scenic Temecula Valley. Owned and operated by Carter Hospitality Group, the resort is renowned for its preeminent méthode champenoise sparkling wines, well-appointed accommodations, and exceptional amenities. With 60 private bungalows, a working winery, a private tasting room, and a host of personalized services, Carter Estate Winery and Resort offers a charming escape for wine enthusiasts and discerning travelers. For more information, visit www.carterestatewinery.com.

About South Coast Winery Resort & Spa
The only state winery to claim the title of California Winery of the Year five times at the California State Fair Wine Competition, South Coast Winery sets the gold standard for excellence amongst California wineries, earning more than 5,000 awards since its inception in 2003. Situated on 63 lush acres, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa offers a breathtaking retreat for wine tours, romantic getaways and group events with 132 rooms and villas, a working winery and tasting room, gift shop, full-service spa and restaurant.

South Coast Winery is family-owned and offers a broad portfolio of 45 wine labels, the majority of which are available for sampling in its main tasting room – from robust reds such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir to whites including Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling. Also available are sparkling wines, dessert wines and other specialty offerings. The winery employs a staff of skilled winemakers, including master winemaker Jon McPherson and winemaker Javier Flores, both with decades of experience in the wine industry. For more information, visit www.southcoastwinery.com.

About Carter Hospitality Group
Established in 2011, Carter Hospitality Group, LLC. is a family-owned hospitality company with four hotels and resorts as well as three wineries across the United States. Based in Orange County, California, the company manages and owns a portfolio of luxury properties including South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, California; Carter Estate Winery and Resort, Temecula California; and Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa, Texas Hill Country. Carter Hospitality Group additionally serves as the owner-franchisee for Red Lion Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista South, Orlando Florida. For more information, visit www.carterhospitality.com