SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego County winery Hungry Hawk Vineyards and Winery and Temecula Valley Wine Country’s South Coast Winery were the big winners at the 2026 San Diego County Fair Wine Competition.
The South Coast Winery 20 Year Tawny Port claimed the Best in Show category and the Toast of Riverside awards for its Sparkling Pinot Grigio, while Hungry Hawk Vineyards & Winery took home the Toast of San Diego for its 2025 Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, and the coveted Southern Sun & Soil award for the same wine.
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Hungry Hawk Vineyards and Winery of Escondido took home Best in Class for its 2025 Estate Reserve Albarino, the 2025 Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc; Gold Medals for its 2025 Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc; Silver Medals for the 2022 Rock Ridge Carménère, 2025 Estate Reserve Albariño, 2023 Estate Recon Red, 2024 Estate Sparkling Viognier; Bronze Medals for its 2023 Estate Grenache.
In all, South Coast Winery Resort and Spa, along with its sister winery, Carter Estate Winery Resort, garnered 19 awards, including Best of Show and a Double Gold medal for South Coast Winery’s 20 Year Tawny Port.
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Other San Diego County Gold Medal wines included Old Julian Vineyards 2021 Estate Petite Sirah and Estate Tre Sorelle, and Granite Lion Cellars, which won Gold Medals for its 2025 Chardonnay Estate Reserve and 2025 Zinfandel.
San Diego wineries won Best of Class for the following wines:
Farquar Family Winery of Ramona: Sangiovese;
Granite Lion Cellars of Jamul: 2025 Chardonnay Estate Reserve, 2025 Cabernet Franc, 2025 Merlot Reserve, 2024 Petit Verdot, 2024 Zinfandel;
Hunter & Mazzetti Vineyards of Valley Center: Tempranillo,
Joaco Sangria of Ramona: Joaco’s Sangria Rose;
Mia Marie Vineyards of Escondido: Grenache;
Old Julian Vineyards of Ramona: 2021 Estate Petite Syrah, Estate Tre Sorelle;
Ramona Ranch Winery of Ramona: 2020 Reserve Estate Tannat;
The Succulent Cellar of Ramona: 2025 Estate Viognier;
Uvas Winery of Poway: Cabernet Sauvignon.
Other San Diego winery medal winners included Barrel 1 Winery, Burtech Family Vineyard, Correcaminos Vineyard, San Pasqual Winery, Stone Vineyards, Storum Ranch Cider & Wine and Walnut Tree Ranch Vineyard & Winery.
Medal winners from Temecula’s wine country included Altisima Winery, Julie’s Dream Winery, Luna de Luz Winery, and Robert Renzoni Vineyards and Winery.
Judged April 8 and 9, the annual competition recognizes outstanding commercial wines from San Diego, Imperial and Riverside counties, celebrating craftsmanship and innovation across Southern California’s wine industry.
Select medal-winning wines have the opportunity to be showcased and poured for guests during the San Diego County Fair’s popular Wine Experience Bar, or you can head to Temecula Valley Wine Country to give them a sampling.
“South Coast Winery’s acclaimed 20 Year Tawny Port stood out among this year’s entries for its exceptional depth and complexity,” a spokesperson for the winery said in a recent news release. “Aged for two decades in old French oak barrels, the mahogany-hued dessert wine offers layers of toasted hazelnut, clove and raisin alongside a velvety, smooth finish characteristic of premium tawny ports.”
In addition to the Best of Show honor, South Coast Winery also earned the competition’s “Toast of Riverside” distinction for its Sparkling Pinot Grigio. Crafted in a Brut “Extra Dry” style, the sparkling wine features bright notes of pear and apple accented by tropical fruit nuances and crisp acidity.
“The grapes are hand-harvested from estate vineyards in Temecula Valley, where cool Pacific Ocean breezes help preserve freshness and balance in the fruit,” according to the winery.
The combined 19 awards received by South Coast Winery and Carter Estate Winery reinforce Temecula Valley’s growing reputation as one of California’s premier wine destinations, particularly for estate-grown varietals and méthode champenoise sparkling wines.
Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality, commented on the big win.
“We always appreciate the visibility and recognition this competition brings to the wines of Southern California and the Temecula Valley region,” Carter said. “These honors are a testament to the talent, dedication and creativity of the winemaking teams at both South Coast and Carter Estate Winery.”
San Diego County’s big winner was Hungry Hawk Vineyards and Winery, winning the “Toast of San Diego” and the “Southern Sun & Soil” awards.
Other Temecula wines that received notable awards at the judging included:
Altisima Winery: Silver medals in Moastrell, Coqueta, Carignan, Meritage.
Carter Estate Winery Resort & Spa: Silver Medal in Chardonnay, 2016 Cuvee Prestige and Bronze Medal, Daybreak.
Julie’s Dream Winery: Silver Medals for 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Sangiovese; Bronze Medal for 2019 Cabernet Franc.
Luna de Luz Syrah: Best of Class Syrah; Silver Medal for Luna de Luz Syrah, Luna de Luz Chardonnay; Bronze Medals for Luna De Luz Merlot, Luna de Luz Rose de Luz.
Robert Renzoni Vineyards and Winery: Best of Class for Bambino Rose, Silver Medals for Bambino Rose, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc.
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa: Best of Class Sparkling, White Blend and Dessert; Silver Medals for: Sparkling Pinot Grigio, Big Red Sunshine Primitivo, Vineyard Rose, GVR South Coast, Reference Chardonnay, Non-Vintage brut, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Mino. Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon; Bronze Medals for: Spumante Diamante, Cabernet Sauvignon Wild Horse Peak, Sangiovese South Coast, Black Jack Port.
A complete list of winners is available through the San Diego County Fair Wine Competition results page.
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