June 29, 2026 (Rolling Hills, CA) — Dressage Wines is proud to announce that its 2024 Dressage Monterey County Pinot Noir has been awarded Double Gold, Best of Class, and an outstanding 95-point rating at the 2026 Sunset Wine Competition.
The judges described the wine simply as “Nice and clean; spice and pomegranate,” capturing the wine’s bright fruit, subtle spice, elegance, and balance. The 2024 Pinot Noir opens with vibrant aromas of pomegranate and red cherry, leading to a silky palate with refined tannins, lively acidity, and a long, polished finish. It is a versatile food wine that pairs beautifully with salmon, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, mushroom dishes, and a wide range of cheeses.
The Sunset Wine Competition is recognized as one of the West’s most respected wine competitions. Wines are evaluated in blind tastings by experienced judging panels that assess balance, varietal character, complexity, aroma, flavor, and overall quality.
Receiving a Double Gold medal means every judge on the panel independently awarded the wine a Gold Medal. The additional Best of Class designation recognizes the highest-scoring wine within its category, placing the 2024 Dressage Monterey County Pinot Noir among the competition’s top wines. Its 95-point rating further underscores the wine’s exceptional quality and outstanding expression of Monterey County Pinot Noir.
“This Pinot Noir is exactly what we envisioned for Dressage,” said Adriana Popovich, Director of Social Media for Castle Rock Winery. “It’s elegant, beautifully balanced, and incredibly versatile with food. The bright red fruit, gentle spice, and silky finish make it a wine that both casual wine drinkers and Pinot Noir enthusiasts can appreciate. We’re honored that the Sunset judges recognized what makes this wine so special.”
The partnership between Adriana Popovich and Dressage Brand Ambassador Sabine Schut-Kery has been instrumental in shaping the Dressage brand. An Olympic Silver Medalist who helped lead the U.S. Dressage Team to a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Schut-Kery brings world-class equestrian credentials and a lifelong appreciation for California wines. Working alongside Adriana, the two have helped create a brand that reflects the elegance, precision, and harmony shared by both the sport of dressage and fine winemaking.
“At Dressage, we believe great wines should reflect the same balance, precision, and grace that define the sport itself,” said Greg Popovich, Founder and President of Castle Rock Winery. “Receiving Double Gold, Best of Class, and 95 points from Sunset is a tremendous honor and reinforces our commitment to producing premium California wines that consistently overdeliver for consumers.”
About South Bay Wine Group
South Bay Wine Group, LLC is a family-owned wine company based in South Bay area of Los Angeles, California. Its portfolio includes Castle Rock Winery, Dressage Wines, and Kosmic Kitty Wines, featuring award-winning wines from California, Washington and Oregon. Since 1994, the company has built a reputation for producing wines that consistently deliver exceptional quality, value, and broad consumer appeal. Today, South Bay Wine Group wines are sold throughout the United States and internationally through leading retailers, restaurants, and distributors.
For more information, visit www.castlerockwinery.com.
