Rolling Hills, Calif. — May 27, 2026 — South Bay Wine Group proudly announced today that its 2024 Kosmic Kitty Chardonnay received a Gold Medal, 92 Points, and Best of Class honors at the prestigious 2026 International Women’s Wine Competition, held in Sonoma County, California.
In addition to the Kosmic Kitty Chardonnay recognition, two additional wines produced by South Bay Wine Group also earned Gold Medals at the competition:
- 2024 Castle Rock Pinot Noir (California)— Gold Medal, 90 Points
- 2024 Dressage Pinot Noir (Monterey County) — Gold Medal, 90 Points
The International Women’s Wine Competition is one of the wine industry’s most unique and respected events, featuring judging panels composed entirely of women wine professionals, including winemakers, sommeliers, educators, retailers, journalists, and industry experts.
“We are extremely proud to receive this recognition, especially from a competition judged by some of the most influential and knowledgeable women in the wine industry,” said Greg Popovich, Founder and President of South Bay Wine Group. “Winning Best of Class for Kosmic Kitty Chardonnay continues to validate our belief that consumers still want approachable, affordable wines that overdeliver in quality.”
“South Bay Wine Group remains committed to crafting wines that combine quality, balance, personality, and accessibility — which is exactly what today’s consumers are looking for,” added Popovich. “These awards are a direct reflection of the passion and dedication our entire team brings to every wine we produce.”
“Having talented millennial winemaker Meghan Daniels on our team gives us valuable insight into what the next generation of wine consumers is looking for,” continued Popovich. “That perspective has been extremely important to the growth and success of Kosmic Kitty Wines. Earlier this month, Kosmic Kitty Cabernet Sauvignon also earned a Gold Medal and 90 Points at the prestigious 2026 California State Fair Wine Competition, further building momentum for the rapidly growing brand.”
Adriana Popovich, Director of Social Media for Castle Rock Winery and Kosmic Kitty Wines, added, “Kosmic Kitty was created to bring a fresh, energetic approach to wine while maintaining serious quality in the bottle. Receiving Best of Class at this competition is an exciting moment for the brand.”
About South Bay Wine Group
Produced in Santa Rosa, California, South Bay Wine Group continues to build momentum for Castle Rock Winery, Kosmic Kitty Wines, and Dressage Wines through a focus on quality-driven, value-priced wines sourced from premier vineyard regions throughout California and the Pacific Northwest.
Castle Rock Winery, founded in 1994, remains one of America’s last large-scale independent family-owned wine brands and continues to earn national recognition for producing award-winning wines at accessible everyday prices.
