Roche Winery Takes Home Six Medals at the 2026 North Coast Wine Challenge
Spring in Sonoma means longer days, warmer afternoons and the results for the Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge! Yes, the Satna Rosa competition is in our backyard, but what sets it apart is the strict regional focus. Only wines produced with grapes grown in North Coast AVAs are eligible to compete. That means every wine in the room is a neighbor from Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Solano or Marin counties. This year’s 14th annual competition drew 1,039 wines from 220 wineries, all blind-tasted by a panel of 30 expert judges. Even with all of this competition five of our wines rose to the top, earning a Best of Class, a Double Gold, and three Gold medals.
This year’s results are a reflection of what our winemaking team does best: crafting wines with genuine character that show beautifully in the glass, whether you’re tasting them blind or sipping them on our patio.
Here’s a look at each of the winning wines and what makes them worth trying. As always, our wines are only available through our tasting rooms, wine club, or by contacting us directly. You won’t find these wines on a store shelf, which makes every bottle a little more special.
BEST OF CLASS – 98 POINTS
2024 Chardonnay American Oak Reserve, Carneros
This Chardonnay isn’t a wine that shouts; it draws you in sip by sip. Smooth caramel and ripe pineapple carry through from nose to finish, with just enough barrel spice to keep things interesting. The judges found the wine to offer subtle barrel toast, lemon curd and peach. The American Oak influence adds a warm, toasty backbone and a creamy mid-palate richness, while the Carneros terroir keeps everything grounded in bright, focused fruit. This wine also earned a Gold at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Order the 2024 Chardonnay American Oak Reserve →
DOUBLE GOLD — 96 Points
2024 Carneros Chardonnay
Lemon blossom and crisp green apple open the nose, while the palate delivers bright citrus fruit with a clean, mouthwatering acidity that practically begs for food. The judges captured the essence of the wine perfectly as a fresh Spring day, filled with the aroma of beautiful lemon blossoms, with bright acidity and nice citrus body. Think grilled fish, oysters, or a simple lemon pasta to pair with this well-earned Double Gold. This wine also earned a Double Gold in the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Even more reason for you to snag a bottle or two for your wine fridge.
Order the 2024 Carneros Chardonnay →
GOLD MEDALS
2024 Rosé, Sonoma Valley | 91 Points
Vivid fruit, a lively zip of citrus, and a finish that’s clean and refreshing make this the kind of Rosé you open on a Tuesday because the weather is nice. The 2024 vintage earned Gold and 91 points, with judges described flavors of ripe pomegranate, orange zest, and called it lively and fun to pair with seafood. This versatility is a reason our Sonoma Valley Rosé keeps showing up on the medal podium, earning a Gold in the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition as well. Pair it with crab, shrimp tacos, or maybe just a bowl of strawberries. However you pair the Rosé, keep it uncomplicated like the wine itself.
Order the 2024 Sonoma Valley Rosé →
2023 Sparkling Brut Rosé, Sonoma Valley | 91 Points
The effervescence is lively but refined, the flavors of peach, cherry, and citrus are bright without being overblown, and the acidity keeps every sip fresh and clean. Our 2023 Brut Rosé is a sparkling wine that works equally well as a celebration opener or a dinner companion. The judges praised the Brut as well-made with rich, bright fruit, and balanced acid. Pop open a bottle alongside grilled salmon, a soft cheese board, or any occasion that calls for something a little festive. Which, honestly, is most occasions.
Order the 2023 Sparkling Brut Rosé →
2023 Carneros Merlot | 91 Points
Our 2023 Carneros Merlot is a wine that earns its place at any table. Deep aromas of blackberry, sage, black olive, and boysenberry give way to a juicy, fruit-forward palate of ripe blackberry, raspberry, and red currant, with moderate tannins that keep everything balanced and approachable. The judges called it tangy, complex, balanced, and fresh and that combination of depth and liveliness is exactly what makes this Merlot an easy choice every time. It also earned a Gold Medal at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, making it one of our most recognized reds of the year. A natural fit alongside grilled meats, pasta with a rich tomato sauce, or a well-aged cheese board.
Order the 2023 Carneros Merlot →
2024 Chardonnay French Oak Reserve, Carneros | 90 Points
Aging Chardonnay grapes in French oak brings a subtle refined quality to this wine with delicate vanilla, a whisper of toast, and a silky texture that carries bright lemon and stone fruit from start to finish. A tasty Chardonnay with elegance and poise, our 2024 French Oak Reserve had the judges describing it as yummy and elegant with a lovely aroma and a lemony lift. It's a wine with enough complexity to reward the curious, but easy enough to enjoy without overthinking it.
Order the 2024 Chardonnay French Oak Reserve →
Want to taste these wines alongside the best of the North Coast? All gold medal and above winners are invited to pour at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival on June 13, 2026 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. Come find our tasting table or visit one of our tasting rooms any day of the week. We’d love to pour you a glass and celebrate these wines and awards!
