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CARTER CREEK WINERY EARNS FIVE HONORS AT 2026 SAN ANTONIO STOCK SHOW & RODEO WINE COMPETITION
JOHNSON CITY, Texas – Carter Creek Winery earned five awards at the 2026 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition, including three gold medals and two silver medals. The winery’s Sparkling Tempranillo Rosé, made from Texas High Plains grapes, received gold and was named Texas Class Champion. The wine features aromas of strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate and citrus peel, balanced by bright acidity and a lush mouthfeel, according to the winery.
Carter Creek’s additional honors included gold medals for Group Therapy, a nonvintage wine, and the 2024 Plateau Red, both from Lubbock County. Silver medals went to the 2025 Plateau White from Lubbock County and the 2025 Viognier from the Texas High Plains.
Held Oct. 5-6, the 16th annual competition drew 817 entries from 12 countries. A panel of 60 wine experts evaluated entries on the first day, followed by a five-judge panel that selected the champion wines on the second day. Proceeds from the associated Champion Wine Auction & Dinner benefit the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Scholarship Fund, with a portion also supporting the advancement of viticulture.
“We are proud that Carter Creek made such an impressive showing at this highly regarded wine competition,” said Jeff Carter, president of family-owned Carter Hospitality. “We salute the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo for its support of the wine industry and recognize winemakers Jon McPherson, Javier Flores and Emily Bloom, along with their dedicated teams, for producing these five award-winning wines. We also applaud the competition’s contributions to advancing viticulture.”