Rolling Hills, CA — June 2, 2025 — Castle Rock Winery’s consistent delivery of exceptional wines at remarkable value is no accident. It stems from a visionary business model crafted by founder Greg Popovich during his MBA studies at Pepperdine University.
Having witnessed firsthand how two wineries failed under the weight of excessive overhead, Popovich was determined to chart a smarter course—one that avoided the same pitfalls and focused relentlessly on efficiency and quality.
Unlike traditional wineries that invest heavily in estate vineyards, tasting rooms, and high-cost infrastructure, Castle Rock operates on a lean and scalable model. The winery owns no vineyards or physical facilities, instead choosing to allocate resources where they matter most: into the wine itself.
“We chose a smarter path—one rooted in strategic partnerships and operational efficiency,” said Popovich. “Instead of tying up capital in brick and mortar, we focus on sourcing premium fruit from top vineyards in California, Oregon, and Washington, and partnering with some of the most experienced winemakers in the business.”
This innovative model allows Castle Rock to channel more investment into vineyard sourcing and cellar practices—areas that have a direct impact on wine quality. The savings achieved through this streamlined approach are passed on to consumers, making high-quality wines more accessible than ever.
Year after year, Castle Rock’s portfolio earns top ratings from critics and customers alike. Its wines consistently receive 90+ point scores, Gold Medals, and “Best Buy” accolades from leading publications.
Building on this success, Castle Rock recently launched a bold new venture: Kosmic Kitty Wines. Designed to appeal to a new generation of wine lovers, Kosmic Kitty leverages the same efficient business principles that have driven Castle Rock’s growth. With bright, whimsical packaging and a lineup featuring Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Kosmic Kitty delivers serious wine in a playful, accessible format—all at a $12 suggested retail price.
“Everything we’ve learned over the last 30 years about delivering value and quality is baked into Kosmic Kitty,” Popovich added. “It’s a natural extension of our philosophy, wrapped in a fun, modern package.”
Rooted in a bold Pepperdine-born vision, Castle Rock Winery continues to challenge industry norms—delivering award-winning wines, unmatched value, and a business model that proves great wine doesn’t need to come with great overhead.
About Castle Rock Winery
Founded in 1994, Family-Owned Castle Rock Winery produces carefully crafted wines sourced from premier growing regions across the West Coast. Guided by a commitment to quality, value, and integrity, Castle Rock wines are distributed nationally and consistently earn critical acclaim with every vintage.
