TEMECULA, Calif. – South Coast Winery, owned by the Carter family, raised the gold standard at the 83rd anniversary of the Los Angeles International Wine Competition – winning two “Best of Class” gold medals, five other gold medals, eight silver medals and five bronze medals – stellar recognition for 20 of its wines. Sister winery Carter Estate Winery was also awarded three Silver Medals at the competition.
The 2022 Los Angeles International Wine Competition received 1,250 wines to judge, and the entrants showcase their finest domestic and international vintages through this prestigious wine event with judging taking place on March 9 to 10. Competing wines were produced in 19 countries, including: Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and the United States.
The public will have its first opportunity to taste and learn about the award-winning wines at The Learning Centers at Fairplex, which offers an extensive wine education program at the Los Angeles County Fair being held from May 5 to 30 and attended by approximately 1 million people each year and at CHEERS!, a June fundraising event to benefit the education programs of The Learning Center.
“We are extremely proud to have been recognized by a leading, 83-year-old wine institution, being judged by a team of highly trained wine professionals and compared to so many outstanding domestic and international producers,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality, which owns South Coast Winery and Carter Estate Winery. “And we are pleased the Los Angeles International Wine Competition gives wine enthusiasts the chance to taste winning wines at the famous Los Angeles County Fair and its CHEERS! educational event.”
Following are the 20 South Coast Winery winning wines from the Los Angeles International Wine Competition:
Best of Class Gold Medal: Sparkling, Gewurztraminer, Temecula Valley, 94 points
Best of Class Gold Medal: Port, Black Jack Port, South Coast, 94 points
Gold Medal: Grenache Blanc, Temecula Valley 2020, 93 points
Gold Medal: Sparkling Pinot Grigio, Temecula Valley 2020, 92 points
Gold Medal: Rhone Style Blend, 20th Anniversary, South Coast 2018, 92 points
Gold Medal: Riesling, Temecula Valley 2020, 91 points
Gold Medal: Sangiovese, South Coast 2017, 91 points
Silver Medal: Viognier, Temecula Valley 2019
Silver Medal: Red Blend, Big Red Table, South Coast
Silver Medal: Red Blend, South Coast 2017
Silver Medal: Pinot Blanc, “Sur Lie,” Temecula Valley 2020
Silver Medal: Verdelho, Temecula Valley 2020
Silver Medal: Sparkling Rosé, Vineyard Rose, Temecula Valley 2018
Silver Medal: Red Blend, Meritage South Coast 2017
Silver Medal: Red Blend, Tempranillo, Monastrell, South Coast 2015
Bronze Medal: Sparkling, Spumante Diamante, Temecula Valley
Bronze Medal: Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2019
Bronze Medal: Chardonnay, Sans Chene, South Coast 2019
Bronze Medal: Sauvignon Blanc, Musqué Clone, Temecula Valley 2019
Bronze Medal: Gewurztraminer, Temecula Valley 2019
The Carter family’s sister winery, Carter Estate Winery, in Temecula also earned citations for three of its wines at the 2022 Los Angeles International Wine Competition:
Silver Medal: Blanc de Blanc, South Coast 2015
Silver Medal: Blanc de Noir, South Coat 2015
Silver Medal: Brut, South Coast 2015
A list of all winners and additional information is available at https://fairplex.com/competitions/wine-competition.
About South Coast Winery
The only winery among the state’s top wineries to claim the title of California Winery of the Year four times at the California State Fair Wine Competition, South Coast Winery sets the gold standard for excellence amongst California wineries, earning more than 3,000 awards since its inception in 2003. 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.
South Coast Winery offers a broad portfolio of 45 wine labels, the majority 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. Also available are sparkling wines, dessert wines and other specialty offerings. The winery employs a staff of skilled winemakers, including master winemaker Jon McPherson and winemaker Javier Flores, both with decades of experience in the wine industry.
For more information, visit www.southcoastwinery.com.
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 Red Lion Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista South, Orlando Florida. For more information, visit www.carterhospitality.com.
“Woodchuck’s Brunch Box continues to evolve our lineup of innovative award-winning ciders and delivers exciting new ciders, not only will cider fans enjoy this great pack, but this variety will also draw in new drinkers as we capture inspiration from classic brunch style cocktails,” says Bridget Blacklock, Chief Commercial Officer, Vermont Cider Company. “We are excited that Brunch Box will be a year-round offering and look forward to launching it this Spring.”
Entries from six countries and over 11 U.S. states were blind tasted and judged by panels of three or more industry qualified judges – master sommeliers, masters of wine, certified wine educators, enologists, wine writers, professors, beverage directors, buyers and other influencers – all chosen for their vast experience and well-trained palates.
100% Cork has conducted surveys of the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 every year since 2016, with cork closure usage historically ranging from between 84% to 90% of the wines selected for the list. 2021 represents the highest number recorded since tracking began.
Celebrating the culture of mixology, S Bar will feature innovative libations paired with a tempting array of decadent shareable bites by sbe Director of Culinary Thanawat Bates. The concept also will offer an eclectic live entertainment experience by integrating classic instrumental sounds with modern tunes and unexpected DJ sets by west coast resident artists. Lounge enthusiasts will be welcomed by brass tones, luxe drapery, plush seating, and a polished black marble bar adorned by iconic art pieces from one of the world’s most collected photographers, Terry O’Neil.
The 100% certified organic fruit for the Le Petit Verre duo comes from the Tupungato Valley, a high-altitude sub-zone of Mendoza’s Uco Valley, known for producing fruit with an abundance of aroma, flavor and freshness thanks to significant day-night temperature fluctuations and the intense Andean sunlight.