July 14, 2026 (Rolling Hills, CA) — South Bay Wine Group today announced that Kosmic Kitty Wines® has added another milestone to its rapid growth, earning a Gold Medal for Packaging Design & Art Illustration at the 2026 Los Angeles International Wine Competition for its 2022 California Cabernet Sauvignon.
The award recognizes the creativity and originality of the Kosmic Kitty package design, which has helped the young brand stand out on retail shelves and connect with a new generation of wine consumers.
Since its debut less than two years ago, Kosmic Kitty Wines has expanded to approximately 1,000 retail accounts, secured placement in major grocery chains and state-controlled markets, and earned Wine Enthusiast Best Buy recognition for every wine released to date.
“Our vision from the beginning was to create a wine brand that people couldn’t ignore,” said Greg Popovich, Founder and President of South Bay Wine Group. “Great wine gets consumers to buy a second bottle. Great branding gets them to pick up the first one. We’re honored that one of the country’s most respected wine competitions has recognized the creativity behind the Kosmic Kitty brand.”
Adriana Popovich, Director of Social Media for South Bay Wine Group, added:
“Kosmic Kitty was created to challenge expectations of what a wine brand could look like. This award is especially meaningful because it recognizes the visual identity that has helped make the brand so memorable to consumers.”
Selected by a panel of industry professionals, the Gold Medal recognizes excellence in packaging design, artistic execution, and overall brand presentation—highlighting Kosmic Kitty’s distinctive identity in one of the world’s most competitive consumer categories.
The package design award complements Kosmic Kitty’s growing list of accolades in 2026. At the 2026 Los Angeles International Wine Competition, Kosmic Kitty Sauvignon Blanc California 2024 also received a Gold Medal and 90 Points, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to delivering both standout packaging and exceptional wine quality.
Established in 1935, the Los Angeles International Wine Competition is one of the oldest and most respected wine competitions in the United States. Conducted annually by Fairplex in Pomona, California, the competition attracts entries from leading wineries around the world and recognizes excellence in wine quality, packaging, and label design. Winning entries are showcased during the L.A. County Fair, providing award-winning brands with exposure to hundreds of thousands of consumers each year.
The Gold Medal for package design further reinforces Kosmic Kitty’s strategy of combining award-winning California wines with distinctive, memorable branding designed to engage the next generation of wine consumers. As the brand continues to expand nationally, the recognition adds to a growing list of accomplishments that includes rapid retail distribution, consistent critical acclaim, and a distinctive identity in the highly competitive wine marketplace.
About South Bay Wine Group
Founded in 1994, South Bay Wine Group is a family-owned California wine company dedicated to producing exceptional wines that deliver outstanding quality and value. Its portfolio includes Castle Rock Winery®, Kosmic Kitty Wines®, and Dressage® Wines. The company’s brands are distributed through leading retailers, restaurants, and distributors across the United States and internationally. Through a commitment to quality, innovation, and brand building, South Bay Wine Group continues to create wines that resonate with today’s consumers while remaining true to its reputation for excellence.
