Rolling Hills, Calif. — May 26, 2026 — Castle Rock Winery proudly announced today that two of its Columbia Valley red wines were featured in renowned wine critic James Suckling’s newly released Breaking Away from the Big and Bold: Washington 2026 Tasting Report, which included 681 tasting notes from across Washington State.
The report highlighted the exceptional quality and balance of Washington State’s 2023 vintage, with winemakers and vineyard managers describing the growing season as “pretty damn perfect” and “crazy how perfect it was.”
Castle Rock Winery’s featured wines included:
- 2023 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — 91 Points“Layered, rich and warmly tannic, this full-bodied wine is laced with blackberry and black pepper flavors on a substantial texture. Light bay leaves and black olives accent the fruit flavors. Drink now.”
- 2023 Columbia Valley Merlot — 90 Points“Aromas of plums, blackberries, cocoa, dried herbs and cedar. The palate is full-bodied with soft tannins and a smooth, rounded texture, giving flavors of dark fruit and spices. Drink now.”
“We are incredibly proud to see our Columbia Valley wines recognized by James Suckling during what many are calling one of Washington State’s finest vintages ever,” said Greg Popovich, Founder and President of Castle Rock Winery. “For more than three decades, our mission has been simple — deliver wines with outstanding quality and character at everyday prices consumers can actually afford.”
“We’re seeing tremendous excitement from consumers who want wines that feel approachable, authentic, and fun,” said Adriana Popovich, Director of Social Media for Castle Rock Winery. “Our new brand, Kosmic Kitty Wines, has connected strongly with a younger generation of wine drinkers, while Castle Rock continues delivering the kind of quality and value that keeps longtime wine lovers coming back vintage after vintage.”
Produced in Santa Rosa, California, Castle Rock Winery has built a national reputation for crafting award-winning wines that consistently overdeliver in quality and value. The winery remains family-owned and operated and continues to source grapes from many of the West Coast’s premier growing regions.
The James Suckling report praised the 2023 Washington vintage for producing wines with freshness, balance, savory complexity, and flavor development that stand apart from the oversized styles of previous years.
About Castle Rock Winery
Founded in 1994, Castle Rock Winery is one of America’s leading independent family-owned wine brands, producing award-winning wines sourced from premier vineyards throughout California, Washington, and Oregon. Known for its commitment to exceptional quality at accessible prices, Castle Rock Winery has earned national recognition from Wine Enthusiast, James Suckling, Wine Spectator, and major international wine competitions.
