Our Story

Castle Rock stands for Quality and Value

We pride ourselves on the quality of our wines, which are often comparable to wines costing two or three times as much.

Since its inception in 1994, Castle Rock Winery has built an enviable reputation for producing high quality wines at affordable prices. This winning formula has been highly successful, as proven by an increasing number of customers and members of the wine press who have given the wines glowing reviews.

Castle Rock buys grapes from approximately 40 grape growers, all renowned for their expertise and consistency. In each case, vineyard practices are carried out under the guidance and instruction of Castle Rock’s winemaker, Meghan Rech, all to ensure that quality standards are maintained from start to finish.

After the harvest, the wines are made in accordance with Castle Rock’s winemaking standards, and are bottled at wineries, boasting state-of-the-art equipment, located in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and Washington’s Columbia Valley.

Castle Rock’s business model aims to please – lovely on the palate and easy on the wallet. By virtue of having a low overhead, (no nagging real estate mortgages, no marketing teams or large staff to employ, and no elaborate facilities) Castle Rock is able to funnel all their capital into making the best possible wine for the best possible price. 

A word from the owner

  • Greg Popovich
    Greg Popovich
    FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
  • Meghan Daniels Rech
    Meghan Daniels Rech
    DIRECTOR OF WINEMAKING
  • Dave McCormack
    Dave McCormack
    Vice President, Central Division
  • Stephen Ross
    Stephen Ross
    Vice President, National Sales Manager

Castle Rock Winery

Awards Won

ROSÉ of PINOT NOIR, Monterey County

Vintage: 2023

Accolades & Notes
• Wine Enthusiast – 91 Points/Best Buy
• James Suckling – 90 Points
• California State Fair – Gold Medal/96 Points
• Monterey International Wine Comp. Gold Medal/90 Points
• Wine Spectator – 88 Points/Best Value
• Experience Rosé – Gold Medal/92 Points
• International Women’s Wine Competition – Gold Medal/91 Points

PINOT NOIR, California Cuvée

Vintage: 2023

Accolades & Notes
• Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points/Best Buy
• James Suckling – 89 Points
• Toast of the Coast – Gold Medal/90 Points

PINOT NOIR, Mendocino County

Vintage: 2023

Accolades & Notes
• Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points/Best Buy
• James Suckling – 88 Points

PINOT NOIR, Central Coast

Vintage: 2022

Accolades & Notes
• James Suckling – 90 Points
• Wine Enthusiast – 89 Points/Best Buy
• Monterey International Wine Comp. Gold Medal/93 Points
• San Francisco Chronicle – Gold Medal/Best of Class

PINOT NOIR, Monterey County

Vintage: 2021

Accolades & Notes
• Los Angeles International Wine Comp. – Gold Medal/95 Points/Best of Class
• Monterey International Wine Competition – Gold Medal/90 Points
• Wine Enthusiast – 88 Points/Best Buy
• James Suckling – 87 Points
• Wine Spectator – 86 Points/Best Value

PINOT NOIR, Willamette Valley

Vintage: 2022

Accolades & Notes
• James Suckling – 90 Points
• Wine Enthusiast – 87 Points/Best Buy

 PINOT NOIR, RESERVE, Russian River Valley

Vintage: 2022

Accolades & Notes
• Los Angeles Int. Wine Comp. –Gold Medal/Best of Class/96 Points
• Sunset Magazine Wine Competition – Double-Gold Medal/96 Points
• Orange County Fair – Double-Gold Medal/Best of Class/95 Points
• San Francisco International Wine Competition – Gold Medal
• San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition – Gold Medal
• Wine Enthusiast – 88 Points/Best Buy
• James Suckling – 87 Points

DRESSAGE PINOT NOIR, Monterey County

Vintage: 2019

Accolades & Notes
• Monterey International Wine Comp. – Gold Medal/92 Points
• Sunset Magazine Wine Competition – Gold Medal/92 Points
• San Francisco International Wine Competition – Gold Medal
• James Suckling – 89  Points
• Wine Spectator – 87 Points/Top Value

MERLOT, California

Vintage: 2022

Accolades & Notes
• Not yet rated

MERLOT, Columbia Valley

Vintage: 2022

Accolades & Notes
• James Suckling – 91 Points

RED WINE CUVÉE, Columbia Valley

Vintage: 2014

Accolades & Notes
• Wine Enthusiast 86 Points

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, California

Vintage: 2022

Accolades & Note
• James Suckling – 89 Points

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Columbia Valley

Vintage: 2022

Accolades & Notes
• James Suckling – 90 Points
• Toast of the Coast – Gold Medal/91 Points
• Wine Spectator – 87 Points, Best Value

Cabernet Sauvignon, RESERVE, Alexander Valley

Vintage: 2020

Accolades & Notes
• James Suckling – 90 Points
• Sunset Magazine Wine Competition – Gold Medal/91 Points
• San Francisco International Wine Competition – Gold Medal
• Toast of the Coast Wine Competition – Gold Medal/90 Points
• Los Angeles international Wine Comp – Gold Medal/90 Points
• Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge– Gold Medal/93 Points

PETITE SIRAH, California

Vintage: 2019

Accolades & Notes
• James Suckling – 89 Points

SYRAH, Lodi

Vintage: 2019

Accolades & Notes
• James Suckling – 91 Points
• Wine Enthusiast – 88 Points/Best Buy
• Dan Berger’s Int. Wine Comp. – Gold Medal

ZINFANDEL, Lodi

Vintage: 2022

Accolades & Notes
• Los Angeles Invitational – Double Gold Medal/96 Points
• Toast of the Coast – Gold Medal/90 Points

CHARDONNAY, Central Coast

Vintage: 2023

Accolades & Notes
• Wine Enthusiast – 89 Points/Best Buy
• James Suckling – 87 Points

CHARDONNAY, Columbia Valley

Vintage: 2022

Accolades & Notes
• James Suckling – 91 Points
• Wine Enthusiast – 88 Points/Best Buy
• Los Angeles Invitational – Double Gold Medal / 96 Points

DRESSAGE CHARDONNAY, Central Coast

Vintage: 2019

Accolades & Notes
• Sommelier Wine Challenge – Gold Medal/90 Points
• Sunset Magazine Wine Competition – Gold Medal/90 Points
• Wine Enthusiast – 86 Points/Best Buy
• Monterey International Wine Comp. – Gold Medal/90 Points
• Toast of the Coast – Gold Medal/93 Points
• Los Angeles Invitational – Gold Medal/91 Points
• Los Angeles international Wine Comp – Gold Medal/95 Points/Best of Class
• James Suckling – 88 Points

SAUVIGNON BLANC, California

Vintage: 2023

Accolades & Notes
• Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points/Best Buy
• James Suckling – 90 Points

Greg Popovich
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT

Greg Popovich, founder and owner of Castle Rock Winery, has dedicated over two decades to creating a legacy of high-quality, value-driven wines that are accessible to all wine enthusiasts. His vision of crafting exceptional wines at approachable price points has led Castle Rock to become one of the largest and most respected wineries in the United States.

Greg’s passion for wine began with his appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship behind winemaking. With a background in business and a commitment to innovation, he founded Castle Rock Winery in 1994. Under his leadership, the winery adopted a unique business model: sourcing grapes from premier vineyards across the country and partnering with top-tier winemakers to produce regionally distinctive wines. This approach has allowed Castle Rock to offer a wide variety of award-winning wines without owning extensive vineyards or production facilities.

Greg’s philosophy is deeply rooted in making wine enjoyable and accessible, without compromising quality. His leadership has positioned Castle Rock as a pioneer in the value wine category, with accolades from Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, and other leading wine authorities.

In addition to his contributions to the wine industry, Greg is known for fostering strong personal and professional relationships. His wife, Adriana, has been an integral part of the Castle Rock story, inspiring collaborations such as the partnership with U.S. Olympic Dressage rider Sabine Schut-Kery, which reflects their shared passion for wine and equestrian excellence.

Through his dedication, Greg Popovich has turned Castle Rock Winery into a symbol of consistency, quality, and value—a trusted name for wine lovers across the globe.

Meghan Daniels Rech
DIRECTOR OF WINEMAKING

Meghan Daniels Rech was appointed as Castle Rock’s Director of Winemaking in June 2020. A graduate of U.C. Davis in Viticulture and Enology, Meghan has over seventeen years of wine-making experience. As Director, she oversees all aspects of our wine production from the crushing of grapes to final bottling. Meghan especially enjoys the creative aspects of winemaking and focuses relentlessly on the quality of the wines she makes. Meghan was born and raised in Northern California’s Sonoma County where she still resides.

Dave McCormack
Vice President, Central Division

Dave joined Castle Rock Winery in March 2022 and is responsible for 13 states in the Midwest.

Dave started his wine career in a fine wine shop in Aspen, Colorado. He brings 25 years of combined wine and spirits experience, 22 of them with the third largest distributor in Illinois. He held roles of Sales Representative, Brand Management and Key Account Management in the Off Premise channel before joining Castle Rock Winery.

Dave lives in Glenview, Illinois with his wife Jennifer and their 2 boys
Michael and Tyler.

Stephen Ross
Vice President, National Sales Manager

Stephen joined Castle Rock Winery in January 2015.

A wine and spirit industry professional with over 20 years of combined experience in the National Chain Accounts and On/Off Premise markets. Stephen started his sales career at one of the largest distributors in the country, then later went on to hold multiple sales and management positions for various Wine and Spirits Suppliers before joining Castle Rock Winery.

You must be 21 years old to visit this site.

Please verify your age

- -