SoCal Wines Earn Double Gold, Gold Ratings At Del Mar 'Toast Of Coast'

TEMECULA, CA — One of the most frequently asked questions for visitors of Temecula Valley Wine Country is which wineries are the best?

This year, the Toast of the Coast offers an answer. Held in Del Mar at the San Diego County Fairgrounds, six Temecula Valley wineries earned Double Gold and 27 more received a Gold rating. Still, it was the Carter Estate Winery that took home the Best of Show award, according to the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association.

Held over Feb. 25 and 26 at the fairgrounds, wineries from across the globe were judged by 12 wine-credentialed judges whose experience ranged from winemaking, journalism, educators, sommeliers and others. A total fo 570 wines were judged, with Temecula Valley Wine Country wines ranking high in both the Double Gold and Gold medal categories.

Among the wineries with the best showing at the event were South Coast Winery, Carter Estate Winery, Miramonte Winery, Akash Winery, Peltzer Family Cellars, Churon Winery, Doffo Winery and Wiens Family Cellars.

"Temecula Valley Wine Country's Mediterranean climate is ideal for wine grape growing and quality wine production," a spokesperson for the association said in a recent news release. "The region and its wineries are also known for their approachability, laid-back atmosphere, and stunning views as well as dining and lodging among the vines."

One such location is the much-lauded Carter Estate Winery, as the Toast of the Coast proclaimed.

The 2023 Double Gold Winners included:

• Akash Winery – 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 95
• Carter Estate Winery – 2016 Blanc de Blanc, Lot 0004, South Coast AVA | Rating: 97
• Churon Winery – NV Vin Rouge, Estate, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 94
• Cougar Vineyard and Winery – NV Cougar Bubbly | Rating: 94
• Peltzer Family Cellars - 2019 Petite Sirah, Estate, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 94
• South Coast Winery - NV Brut Sparkling Wine, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 94

The Gold Winners included:

• Avensole Winery – 2017 South Slope Red Blend, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90
• Baily Winery – 2017 Meritage, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90
• Bolero at Europa Village –

• 2019 Libido, California AVA | Rating: 92
• 2020 Tempranillo, California AVA | Rating: 92

• Callaway Vineyard & Winery – 2021 Viognier, Wild Yeast, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90
• Carter Estate Winery

• 2015 Cuvée Prestige, South Coast AVA | Rating: 92
• 2016 Blanc de Noir, South Coast AVA | Rating: 91
• 2020 Viognier, Private Reserve, South Coast AVA| Rating: 90

• Chapin Family Vineyards – 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90
• Doffo Winery

• 2021 Vermentino, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 92
• 2019 Mistura, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 91

• Falkner Winery – 2020 Syrah, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90
• Leoness Cellars – 2019 Cabernet Franc-Merlot, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90
• Miramonte Winery – 2021 Albariño, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 91
• Monte de Oro Winery

• 2018 Syrah, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 93
• 2021 Bolle de Oro Sparkling Wine, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 91

• Raul Ramirez Bodegas y Vinedos

• 2017 Don Porfirio Estate Tempranillo, Gran Reserva No. 1, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90
• 2021 Verdejo, Estate, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90

• Robert Renzoni Vineyards – 2019 Syrah, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 92
• South Coast Winery

• 2022 Grenache Noir Rosé, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 93
• 2021 Chardonnay Sans Chene, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 91
• 2019 Boulder Red, Big Rock Reserve, South Coast AVA | Rating: 90
• 2021 Dry Gewurztraminer, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90

• Ultimate Vineyards – 2019 Malbec, Proprietor’s Reserve, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90
• Wiens Family Cellars

• 2020 Crowded, Artist Series, California AVA | Rating: 91
• 2022 Solace White Wine, Artist Series, Riverside County AVA | Rating: 90
• 2019 Unforgiving, San Ignacio Vineyard, Riverside County AVA | Rating: 90

The Director's Awards, including the Toast of the Coast and Best of Show, included:

• The Toast of the Coast | 2016 Carter Estate Winery, Blanc de Blanc, Lot 0004, South Coast AVA |Rating: 97
• Best of Show Sparkling Wine | 2016 Carter Estate Winery, Blanc de Blanc, Lot 0004, South Coast AVA |Rating: 97
• Best Albariño | 2021 Miramonte Winery, Albariño, Temecula Valley AVA |Rating: 91
• Best Cabernet Sauvignon | 2019 Akash Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, Temecula Valley AVA |Rating: 95
• Best Gewurztraminer | 2021 South Coast Winery, Dry Gewurztraminer, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 90
• Best Petite Sirah | 2019 Peltzer Family Cellars, Petite Sirah, Estate, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 94
• Best Red Blend | NV Churon Winery, Vin Rouge, Estate, Temecula Valley AVA | Double Gold – 94
• Best Sparkling Blanc de Blanc | 2016 Carter Estate Winery, Blanc de Blanc, Lot 0004, South Coast AVA | Rating: 97
• Best Sparkling Blanc de Noir | 2016 Carter Estate Winery, Blanc de Noir, South Coast AVA | Rating: 91
• Best Sparkling Brut | NV Cougar Bubbly | Rating: 94
• Best Sparkling Brut | NV South Coast Winery, Brut Sparkling Wine, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 94
• Best Vermentino | 2021 Doffo, Temecula Valley AVA | Rating: 92
• Best White Blend, Dry | 2022 Wiens Family Cellars, Solace White Wine, Artists Series, Riverside County AVA | Rating: 90

For more information about Temecula Valley Wine Country, visit TemeculaWines.org.