20 AWARD-WINNING SANTA BARBARA WINES – GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Santa Barbara County has become a world-class wine destination with over 275 wineries and 6 uniquely designated AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas).

Santa Barbara wines have won top honors and are nationally recognized as best wines in many competitions.

Santa Barbara wines recently won over 23 Best of Class or Gold awards at the prestigious 2019 Central Coast Winery Competition held each year in Paso Robles, CA.

The Central Coast Wine Competition is the largest wine evaluation event focusing exclusively on wines produced within the Central Coast regions of California.

The judging includes wines made from grapes grown exclusively in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.

Here is a list of some of the top-rated, award-winning wines made in Santa Barbara County.

Note: There are many other fabulous California Central Coast wines that won awards in other categories that we were not able to include on this list.

VARIETAL CATEGORY

Chardonnay – 2016

• Gold Medal: Lafond Winery, Santa Barbara – 2016 Chardonnay
• Gold Medal: Zotovich Vineyards, Lompoc, 2016 Zoto Chardonnay

Chardonnay – 2017 And 2018

• Gold: Lafond Winery, Santa Barbara, 2017 Chardonnay SRH
• Best of Class/Double Gold, Pegasus Estate Winery, Solvang, 2017 Chardonnay

Awards
92 Points – 2019 Wine Enthusiast
Double Gold/Best of Class – 2019 Central Coast Wine Competition
93 Points – 2019 Critics Challenge
91 Points – 2019 Orange County Wine Competition
91 Points – 2019 Harvest Challenge
90 Points – 2019 Monterey International Wine Competition
90 Points – 2019 San Diego International Wine Competition

No Oak Chardonnay

• Gold: Garemani Wines, Santa Barbara, 2018, Chardonnay
• Gold: Lafond Winery, Santa Barbara, 2017, Chardonnay SRH
• Best of Class/Gold; Dana V. Wines, Santa Ynez, 2018 Chardonnay

Dana V. Wines’ 2018 Curtis Vineyard Chardonnay won a Gold medal and Best in Class for un-Oaked Chardonnay in the 2019 Central Coast Wine Competition.

Other White Wines-Dry (.7% RS Or Less)

• Gold: Santa Barbara Winery, Santa Barbara, 2016 Chenin Blanc

Riesling – Off Dry

• Gold: Santa Barbara Winery, Santa Barbara, 2017 Riesling

Sauvignon Blanc

• Gold: Dana V. Wines, Santa Ynez, 2018 Sauvignon Blanc
• Best of Class/Double Gold: Kita Wines, Lompoc, 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

Central Coast Wine Competition, June 2019 – Best of Class + Double Gold
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, November 2019 – 92 points
International Women’s Wine Competition, June 2019 – Silver
Los Angeles International Wine Competition, June 2019 – Silver
Tasters Guild Wine Competition, May 2019 – Silver
Terroirist.com, July 2019 – 89 points
Vinous Media – 89 points
Jeb Dunnuck, October 2019 – 89 points

Sparkling-Methode Champenoise

• Double Gold: Flying Goat Cellars, Lompoc, 2015 Brut Cuvée

Viognier

• Double Gold: Lucas & Lewellen Estate Vineyards, Buellton, 2018 Viognier

Grenache Rosé

• Double Gold: Kita Wines, Lompoc, 2018 Grenache Rosé

Central Coast Wine Competition, June 2019 – Double Gold
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, October 2019 – 91 points
Vinous Media – 90 points
Terroirist.com, July 2019 – 90 points
Tasters Guild Wine Competition, May 2019 – Silver

Bordeaux Blends (Meritage)

• Double Gold: Pegasus Estate Winery, Solvang, 2016 Quadrille Red Blend

Awards
93 Points – Wine Enthusiast
97 Points Double Gold – 2019 Sunset International Wine Competition
97 Points Double Gold, Best of Class, Best of Central Coast AVA – 2019 Harvest Challenge
94 Double Gold/Best of Class – 2019 International Women’s Wine Competition
90 Points – 2019 Critics Challenge Wine Competition
Double Gold – 2019 Central Coast Wine Competition

Cabernet Sauvignon – 2016

• Gold: Kita Wines, Lompoc, 2016

Cabernet Sauvignon – Prior To ’16 and Non-Vintage

• Best of Class/Double Gold: Pegasus Estate Winery, Solvang, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Awards
Double Gold/Best of Class – 2019 Central Coast Wine Competition
92 Double Gold – 2019 East Meets West Wine Competition
94 Points Platinum – 2018 Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition
Gold & Best of Class – 2018 West Coast Wine Competition – East Meets West
Gold Medal – 2018 Millennial Award Show Los Angeles
93 Points & Best of Santa Ynez Valley – 2018 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition
91 Points – 2018 Monterey International Wine Competition
90 Points – 2018 Sommelier Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition

Other Rhone Style Blends

• Gold: Lafond Winery, Santa Barbara, 2016 Syrah Grenache Blend

Pinot Noir – 2016

• Double Gold: Zotovich Vineyards, Lompoc, 2016 Zoto Pinot Noir

The Zotovich  Estate Pinot Noir captures the essence of this district in the Sta Rita Hills, where sandy soils yield aromatic, elegant wines of real character.

Pinot Noir – Prior To ‘16 And Non-Vintage

• Gold: El Rey Wine, Lompoc, 2015 A Noble Wine