2025 Plateau White Named Among 12 Best Wines in Texas; 2024 Plateau Red Earns Honorable Mention
September 30, 2026 (Johnson City, TX) — Carter Creek Winery has earned two honors in the 2026 Texas Vintners Cup, including recognition for its 2025 Plateau White as one of the 12 Best Wines in Texas. The winery’s 2024 Plateau Red received an honorable mention. This marks the third consecutive year Carter Creek has been recognized in this competition.
Now in its sixth year, the Texas Vintners Cup is presented by Texas Monthly and is part of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program. More than 275 wines were entered in this year’s competition, which identifies a “Best in Texas” lineup through a blind, two-day tasting and evaluation process. Judging was led by master sommeliers Jack Mason and Craig Collins, joined by wine journalist Jessica DuPuy.
Carter Creek’s 2025 Plateau White, from the Texas High Plains appellation, was selected among the competition’s 12 best Texas wines. The blend is composed of 55% trebbiano, 23% vermentino and 22% pinot grigio. Aged for six months before the varieties are blended, the wine features fresh citrus and light tropical notes with a crisp profile and complex finish.
The 2024 Plateau Red, a blend of tempranillo, mourvedre, graciano and zinfandel, received one of 25 honorable mentions awarded in this year’s event. Inspired by the red blends of Northern Spain, the wine reflects the Texas High Plains’ sandy soils and abundant sunshine, with tempranillo providing depth and graciano, zinfandel and mourvedre adding berry, floral and juicy notes. The result is a bright, fruit-forward wine with velvety tannins and a smooth finish.
“Having our 2025 Plateau White named among the 12 best Texas wines is a tremendous honor for our winemaking team,” said Jeff Carter, president of family-owned Carter Hospitality. “We are particularly proud of winemakers Jon McPherson, Javier Flores and Emily Bloom and their dedicated teams for this recognition, as well as for the continued quality of our wines. To be recognized by the Texas Vintners Cup for the third consecutive year speaks to the consistency and craftsmanship of our wines.”
Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa is part of Carter Hospitality, a family-owned Texas hospitality company with properties spanning wine, lodging and culinary experiences.
About Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa
Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa is a luxury retreat in the heart of Texas Hill Country in Johnson City, Texas. Set amidst rolling hills and vineyards, it features 78 luxury villas, two tasting rooms, an outdoor pavilion hosting live music, Old 290 Brewery & Restaurant, a 24-hour fitness center, a spa, a heated seasonal outdoor pool and 16,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. It is an award-winning winery offering some of the region’s top varietals, and it’s the only winery in the region with an onsite microbrewery serving craft beer. More information is available at http://www.cartercreek.com, Facebook and Instagram.
About Carter Hospitality Group
Established in 2011, Carter Hospitality Group, LLC. is a family-owned hospitality company with four hotels and resorts as well as three wineries across the United States. Based in Orange County, California, the company manages and owns a portfolio of luxury properties including South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, California; Carter Estate Winery and Resort, Temecula California; and Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa, Texas Hill Country. Carter Hospitality Group additionally serves as the owner-franchisee for Radisson Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista South, Orlando Florida. For more information, visit http://www.carterhospitality.com.
