Awards Highlight South Coast Winery’s Portfolio of Varietals and Sparkling Wines
July 8, 2026 (Temecula, CA) — South Coast Winery, owned and managed by family-operated Carter Hospitality, earned top honors at the 2026 Sunset International Wine Competition, receiving one Double Gold medal and four Gold medals.
South Coast Winery’s 2025 Verdelho received a Double Gold medal with a score of 96 points. According to the winery’s tasting notes, Pacific Ocean breezes and soils composed of loam, sandy loam and decomposed granite create ideal conditions for producing crisp white wines. Judges praised the Verdelho for its clean minerality, refreshing acidity and balanced body.
The Temecula Valley winery also received Gold medals for its 2024 Big Red Sunshine Primitivo, noted for its ripe red raspberry flavors; 2025 Pinot Grigio Sparkling, featuring notes of cotton candy, mango and pear; 2025 Sparkling Gewürztraminer, offering aromas and flavors of orange blossom, stone fruit and violet; and NV Spumante Diamante, a sweet sparkling wine with apricot notes.
In total, South Coast Winery earned nine medals at this year’s competition, with every wine submitted receiving an award. Entries were evaluated by a panel of judges selected by the Sunset International Wine Competition for their experience, integrity and expertise.
“We are pleased with South Coast’s exceptional results and thank Editor-in-Chief Hugh Garvey and the Sunset magazine team for establishing the competition as a respected showcase for the wine industry,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality. “Congratulations to our winery team, led by Master Winemaker Jon McPherson and winemakers Javier Flores and Emily Bloom. Their dedication and craftsmanship make these honors especially meaningful as we celebrate South Coast Winery’s 25th anniversary.”
Winning producers will be featured in the October edition of the Sunset Wine Special digital issue and on the publication’s accompanying microsite.
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 is celebrating 25 years of excellence in 2026. Since its founding in 2001, the family-owned winery has earned more than 5,000 awards and set the gold standard among California wineries.
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. The winery’s broad portfolio includes 45 wine labels, most 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, as well as sparkling wines, dessert wines, and other specialty offerings. South Coast Winery employs a team of skilled winemakers, including Master Winemaker Jon McPherson and Winemakers Javier Flores and Emily Bloom, each with decades of experience in the wine industry. For more information, visit www.southcoastwinery.com.
