Carter Creek Winery Takes Five Honors at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition, Led by a Texas Class Champion Rosé
The Johnson City winery won three gold and two silver medals at the 16th annual competition, which drew 817 entries from 12 countries and raises scholarship money for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.
Carter Creek Winery of Johnson City earned five awards at the 2026 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition, the winery announced Wednesday — three gold medals and two silver medals, led by its Sparkling Tempranillo Rosé, which took gold and was named Texas Class Champion. The rosé, made from Texas High Plains grapes, was described by the winery as showing aromas of strawberry, cranberry, pomegranate and citrus peel with bright acidity.
Carter Creek's other gold medals went to Group Therapy, a nonvintage wine, and the 2024 Plateau Red, both from Lubbock County. Silver medals went to the 2025 Plateau White, also from Lubbock County, and the 2025 Viognier, from the Texas High Plains. The winery credited winemakers Jon McPherson, Javier Flores and Emily Bloom and their teams for the five award-winning wines.
"We are proud that Carter Creek made such an impressive showing at this highly regarded wine competition," Jeff Carter, president of the family-owned Carter Hospitality, said in the announcement. "We salute the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo for its support of the wine industry."
The competition, held October 5–6 in its 16th year, drew 817 entries from 12 countries. A panel of 60 wine experts evaluated the entries on the first day, and a five-judge panel 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.
