Every January we wait with much anticipation for the results of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. For several years, we have submitted our wines to what is recognized as the largest wine competition in the world, where expert judges taste our selections alongside thousands of other wines from across the United States. In the 2026 competition, over 5,500 wines were tasted and judged by panels of professionals made up of winemakers, wine trade representatives, wine writers, educators, or culinary and tourism specialists. The competition's scale and prestige make these awards particularly meaningful, as they reflect how our wines measure up against our winemaking peers nationwide. This year's results mark another outstanding achievement for our winemakers, with our wines earning top honors across multiple categories.

Congratulations to winemaker Michael Carr on securing one Best of Class, three Double Golds, and three Golds! Historically, our Chardonnays perform well in wine competitions, as evidenced by this year's two Double Gold wins and one Gold for three of our Chardonnays, so we're particularly thrilled to see such impressive awards given to a fuller range of varietals we produce. The Best of Class honor for our 2023 Sparkling Brut Rosé, Double Gold for the 2023 Cuvée Geneviève Pinot Noir, and Gold medals for both the 2024 Sonoma Valley Rosé and 2023 Carneros Merlot showcase the remarkable versatility and skill of our winemaking team. These accolades on our wines ranging from sparkling wine to structured reds, Chardonnays to our approachable rosé reflect our commitment to producing wine for every palate and occasion.

We invite you to explore the detailed tasting notes below on each of our medal winners to discover which of these award-winning wines will grace your table next. Remember, we do not distribute our wines. They can only be purchased by contacting us directly to place an order, joining our wine club, or visiting one of our two tasting room locations: Downtown Sonoma Tasting Room or Sonoma Winery.

BEST OF CLASs- 2023 Sparkling Brut Rosé

Who doesn't like to start with a sip of some sparkles? Our 2023 Sparkling Brut Rosé competed against several other Rosé Sparkling wines to score a unanimous top rating by the judges, earning it the coveted Best of Class award. This distinction is a tremendous achievement for our winemaking team, as it represents the pinnacle of excellence among all entries in its class. We're honored by this award and look forward to sharing a sip of this outstanding Brut Rosé with you.

The award-winning 2023 Sparkling Brut Rosé captivates with its delicate blush hue and lively effervescence, showcasing the 100% Pinot Noir Methode Champenoise sparkling wine. Enjoy the bouquet of rose petals and jasmine, lightly accented with ripe peach and Rainier cherry. Expect the aromas of bright peaches, cherry, and rose to follow through into the flavor profile along with citrus and melon notes. All play together in a sparkling wine that is delicate enough to pair with light appetizers and balanced enough to serve alongside a main course. Distinguished as Best of Class, this sophisticated sparkling wine delivers both complexity and accessibility in every glass.

All Best of Class wines are tasted by wine writer and judge, Mike Dunne. Here is what he had to say about our Best of Class 2023 Sparkling Brut Rosé: “Electric with numerous fine beads, with just the faintest blush to suggest its Pinot Noir heritage, the Roche is one complicated sparkling wine, suggesting peaches at one sip, cherries at another. Nevertheless, it trips agilely across the palate, its prominent fruit backed by impressive structure, making it as fitting to accompany appetizer crackers topped with a black-olive tapenade as crab cioppino.”

DOUBLE GOLD- 2024 Chardonnay French Oak Reserve

The 2024 Chardonnay French Oak Reserve is well deserving of a Double Gold designation with its elegant structure and complexity. The aromas greet you with vanilla, crisp red apple, and the comforting sweetness of lemon sugar cookies. On the palate, the wine unfolds with rich flavors of ripe nectarine and apricot, balanced by bright grapefruit notes, adding a refreshing acidity.

DOUBLE GOLD – 2023 Cuvée Genevieve Pinot Noir

Initially created to celebrate the life of Roche Winery matriarch and Co-founder, Genevieve Roche (1939-2012), we age this Pinot Noir for 22 months in the finest French Oak barrels. The complexity of aromas and flavors, resulting from the longer oak-aging, contributes to the wine’s depth and balance. The 2023 Cuvée Genevieve begins with an extraordinarily complex aromatic bouquet of black cherry and plums intertwined with delicate floral notes, exotic sandalwood, earthy redwood forest, and hints of cocoa. On the palate, it delivers a luxuriously mouth-filling experience with layers of dried cherry, ripe strawberry, intriguing black cardamom spice, and dried plum that evolve beautifully with each sip.

DOUBLE GOLD- 2024 Carneros Chardonnay

This remarkable 2024 Carneros Chardonnay captures the essence and true nature of the Chardonnay grape. The wine opens with a vibrant aromatic profile of yellow apple, bright orange zest, lime, and alluring tropical fruit notes. On the palate, refreshing lemon-citrus flavors mingle beautifully with ripe apricot and crisp apple, creating a harmonious balance of brightness and depth.

GOLD- 2024 Chardonnay American Oak Reserve

Our 2024 Chardonnay American Oak Reserve offers a richly textured experience that showcases the warm, expressive character imparted by American oak aging. The wine enchants with an inviting bouquet of fresh-baked brioche, vibrant blood orange, and caramel-kissed red apple that promises indulgence. On the palate, flavors of cinnamon baked apple evoke cozy warmth, while bright Mandarin orange and luscious ripe pineapple add layers of tropical complexity. The American oak barrel aging contributes both structure and those signature notes of spice and toast, creating a fuller-bodied style that stands apart from its French oak counterpart.

GOLD- 2024 Sonoma Valley Rosé

This approachable 2024 Sonoma Valley Rosé embodies the delicacies of the Pinot Noir grape. The wine opens with a delicate bouquet of ripe apricot, white peach, and fragrant jasmine that evokes a summer garden in bloom. On the palate, a playful watermelon hard candy sweetness mingles with crisp pear, floral hibiscus notes, and juicy nectarine, creating a refreshing and complex flavor profile. This Sonoma Valley beauty strikes an ideal balance between fruit-forward appeal and sophisticated structure, making it perfect for warm-weather entertaining or pairing with lighter cuisine.

GOLD- 2023 Carneros Merlot

Our 2023 Carneros Merlot showcases a remarkable complexity and finesse with its intriguing aromatic profile of ripe blackberry and boysenberry layered with savory notes of sage, black olive, and black currant. On the palate, juicy ripe blackberry leads the way, complemented by bright raspberry and red currant flavors that bring freshness and vibrancy to each sip. The moderate tannins provide structure without overwhelming the fruit, creating a smooth, approachable texture that makes this Merlot versatile for both immediate enjoyment and short-term cellaring.