Issue 48 - Wilson Creek Winery

“EXTENDED FAMILY”WINE CLUB NEWSJune/July 2009Issue 48WILSON CREEK WINERY & VINEYARDS“Quality Wines & Quality Times!”Our wines are“Smokin’ HOT”According to wine judges and thousands of you, ourwines are unbelievably exceptional. Yep, they’re hot!Not in temperature, but in popularity and taste. In2009 we have already received over 30 wine awards forsome of our newly released wines.30 Awardsthis Year alone!When you win one gold medal for a wine it is a BIGdeal. Two gold medals is HUGE, but THREE GOLDMEDALS is amazing. We just released these twomultiple gold medal winners, Grenache Rose ($18.95retail, $15.16 Wine Club) and our Petite Sirah Port($40 retail, $32 Wine Club). Order yours today aswe have a limited supply. Visit our online store atwww.wilsoncreekwinery.com store or visit the winery.Creekside Grilladds Sizzle to SummerThe Creekside Grille at Wilson Creek Wineryis rolling out the NEW summer menu items(two pictured right) with our award-winningwines. Stop by and try these delicious creations.If time is of the essence, our NEW “Grab-n-Go”lunch options are available on the weekendsthis summer.See page 5 for more details –Sea Scallops with Cilantro Rice& Ancho Chili JamPapaya Chicken Salad

Wine Club APPRECIATION NIGHTA great time was had by all! Award-winning wines andwonderful food make for a fabulous party. Space is limitedfor these events, so don’t forget to RSVP early.(See page 4 for details.)Above: Bill Wilson pouring our wonderful Legacy.Winemaker, Etienne (left) with guests in the NEW Family Room.Gerry Wilson (center) and friends.Wine Country StyleWhat a beautiful sunny day it was in Southern CaliforniaWine Country on Mother’s Day! We were proud to celebrate“Mom” with over 400 guests at this Mother’s Day luncheon.Hundreds more enjoyed the Creekside Grille here at theWinery. The morning seating included omelet and carvingstations and our very popular children’s buffet complete witha decorate-yourown-cookiescounter! Theafternoon seatingincluded favoritessuch as Prime Riband a made-toorderpasta.Everyone enjoyeddecadent dessertsand the mimosaskept flowing!Right: Jessica and Chloe Wilson, Rosie, Deanna and Sarah Wilson andDeanna’s mom, Loretta.Mother’s Day photos by Natalie Mills

Special Olympics Torch Run – “The Flame of Hope”Special Olympian carrying the torchinto Wilson Creek alongside local lawenforcement officers.What a magical moment it was watching hundreds of specialneeds children pass the Olympic torch through the streets ofTemecula and ending at Wilson Creek Winery. “It brings tearsto my eyes every year,” says Rosie Wilson. “We are so delightedthat Wilson Creek can be a part of something so special.” TheBBQ, hosted by the local CHP was abig hit, and included live entertainment.Each year, law enforcement officersraise money to support communitybasedsports programs for peoplewith disabilities. Temecula is a strongsupporter and we look forward tonext year.CHP Officer Ron Thatcher,who coordinates the bulkof this event, pictured withAudra, representingPechanga andtheir involvement withSpecial Olympics.This sizzling deal won’t last long!Stock up now for your 4th of July celebration or nextfamily BBQ. Purchase our Red, White and Blue special.Buy a bottle of our 2006 Estate Syrah, a bottle ofGolden Jubilee and a bottle of 2007 White CabernetSauvignon, (you know the one in the beautifulBLUE bottle) and receive this EXPLOSIVE deal foronly $49.99 (before tax and shipping).That’s over 30% off!Now that’s more bang for your buck!Offer not to be combined with any other discounts.Valid June 1st - July 26th. Retail package price is $72.85 after discount$49.99. Prices shown are before applicable tax and shipping.Hello Hollywood!Wilson Creek hasbecome a popularfilming location forHollywood. Recently,Gene Simmons(remember, from therock group KISS?) shotsome scenes at thewinery for his realityTV show, FamilyJewels. He is picturedhere with Chef Clay (right) and Creekside Grille kitchen staff.Ski Down, Drink Up!Wilson Creek poured our Almond Champagne at the popularMammoth Invitational Celebrity Race VIP Dinner. This pictureofDonnaMillsand herhusbandwastaken atthe mainlodgegondola.Wilson Hot AirHow “cool” to fly in ourAlmond Champagne balloonover beautiful Wine Country.The local hot air balloon company,A Grape Escape, flies this balloon for us.Hot Air balloon rides in Temecula Valleyare becoming more and more popular.Go to www.hotairtours.com formore details or callthe winery.Maureen Bohan sent in this great pictureof a sunset through a Wilson Creek wine glass (pictured right).

UPCOMING EVENTS – JOIN THE FUN!Sold OutWine ClubAPPRECIATIONNIGHTCheck outall thegreatpictures fromlast timeon page 2!Tuesday, June 23rd5:30 PM - 7:30 PMCome and enjoy great friends, great wines, and the Wilson Family asyou sample the NEWLY released wines that can be found in yourJune Wine Club shipment. Light appetizers will be served. Enjoy theChef’s corner with our own Executive Chef Clay Blake. We had ablast at the recent one, so make your reservations early, as space islimited.Although this June event is sold out we’d love for you to join us forthe next one. Stay informed about future dates and details bycontacting your Wine Club Team or by visiting the Events sectiononline.Call: 951-699-9463 or visit our web sitewww.wilsoncreekwinery.comSaturday, July18th6:00 PMStart your summer off rightwith Gerry and Rosie Wilsonfor an intimate night of greatfood and Estate wines in ourBarrel Room. This summerwine pairing dinner, aculinary celebration ofsummer’s bounty, will belike no other. All the winesserved are grown and bottledhere at the winery andcarefully crafted byWinemaker Etienne Cowper.Our culinary team, headed byExecutive Chef Clay Blake,will prepare a gourmet fourcourse meal that brings outthe subtle flavors of the wineand also the textures of eachdish.Tray passed appetizersupon entry. All coursespaired with our wines.Seating is very limited.$145/$130.50 Wine Club Membersand their guests (plus tax)AppetizerWild Mushroom Ravioli withThyme & Porcini jusSaladInsalata Caprese – sliced tomatoeswith basil, fresh mozzarella andextra virgin olive oilEntréeBoursin Stuffed Petite Filet withFingerling Potatoes, Spinachand Marchand de vinDessertFresh Baked Pound Cake withMascarpone CheeseWhipped CreamChocolate Covered StrawberriesFresh BerriesSip, Savor & Stomp Sunday, October 4th, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PMDon’t miss out on this fun-filled night of SIPPING delicious Wilson Creek wines and SAVORING appetizers up on Merlot Mesa after anadventurous tractor-pulled hay ride. Then enjoy a home-spun Wine Country buffet dinner back at the winery followed by bare footGRAPE STOMPING. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT will echo with the sounds of country music and dancing until 10PM.• Appetizers up on “Merlot Mesa” in the vines include Gourmet Pinwheels, Skewered Cheeses with Gourmet Flatbreads, and Sesame ChickenWings with Thai Peanut Sauce• Buffet following at the Winery with Orange BBQ Chicken Quarters, Boneless Beef Ribs with Zinfandel BBQ Sauce, Rotini Pasta ‘BLT’Salad and Garden Salad with Oregano Vinaigrette, Asiago Corn Bread with Key Lime Butter, Redskin Smashed Potatoes, Green Beans withCarrots… you get the idea: YUMMY• Dessert includes Rhubarb Cobbler with Vanilla Crème Fraiche and a Wilson Creek Wine Bar. Including our famous Almond Champagneand newly released wines!$75/$67.50 Wine Club Members & your friends (plus tax)

Wine101Anyone else hear ZZ Top playing!?She’sgot legs!What are LEGS in a wine glass you ask? Legs, (alsoreferred to as tears) usually occur in high alcoholwines. Legs come from the fact that alcohol has alower surface tension than water. Wine is mostly amix of water and alcohol plus a few other parts suchas sugars, tannins etc. As you swirl your winearound the glass and leave some on the side, it startsto evaporate. Alcohol evaporates faster than water,which causes different surface tension areas. Thewine forms droplets in the areas of least/mostresistance which fall back down the glass undertheir own weight.You want to see if alcohol and surface tensionevaporation are the culprits? Swirl your wine and observe the “legs”, then put amagazine or book over the top of the glass and repeat. Hardly any “legs”! Thebook leaves the alcohol no place to evaporate.Legs have no relationship with quality, or sugar content as some think. Legs aremerely an indicator of alcohol content. Legs are nice to look at, and they’rea pretty good conversation starter.But as a wine qualityindicator, I’m afraidlegs don’t tell you athing.NEW SummerReleases2007 Petite Sirah PortThree Gold Medals – need we say more? Only 400 casesmade, so this will go fast. I call this a “toothbrush wine”because it is so inky and turns your teeth purple for a bit.Price: $40 retail/$34 Wine Club2008 Grenache RoseTwo gold medals. A dry rose made is the style one sees inthe south of France.Beeeee-utiful! Price: $18.95 retail/$15.16 Wine Club2008 Golden MedleyWine in this shipment. This fine wine is pre-released toWine Club members before being released to the public.Estate grown and bottled. A great summer wine.2008 Chardonnays We have three Estate Chardonnaysthis year, and all three are very unique:1. Sans Chene Chardonnay Meaning “no oak”, crisp,lively and refreshing2. Rosemary’s Vineyard Chardonnay Oak aged, lotsof complexity and flavors3. “Yes Dear” Chardonnay In response to many of thefamily spouses wanting a Chardonnay that is morebuttery, weighty, and oak agedNEW“Grab-n-Go”NEW Sizzling Summer MenuSavor in the tasty flavors of summer and enjoy the bounty of locally grown food.Summer is full of farm fresh fruits and vegetables, line-caught fresh fish andgreat new wines to pair them with.Additions to the new menu include mouth watering appetizer of Heirloom TomatoBruschetta, the Chicken Bibb Wrap or spirited Melon with champagne splashes.One of our NEW salads is the creation of Sous Chef Fernando Delgado: theChicken Papaya with a Citrus Vinaigrette (pictured on cover) – yum! Summerentrées include Grilled Wild Salmon over Brown Rice and the new CapreseChicken Panini. To finish off lunch, guests continue to love the petite portiondesserts served from our dessert tree. You will also find many specials of freshfish and special creations the culinary team dream up!A NEW outside BBQ grilllunch optionCreekside Grille is now offering outside BBQ lunch options such as Hoisinglazed grilled chicken, hamburgers, salmon and corn on the cob. Grilled appetizersinclude jerk chicken and shrimp skewers. Sides include cold watermelon, traditional potato salad and the popular Creekside salad. Plus youcan enjoy your lunch with wine or beer sold by the glass! Seating in the lush gardens is available or take it to go to the next winery!Have a bit more time or looking for full-service dining with a vineyard view? The Creekside Grille offers the same great ambiance with full, sitdown service and NEW spring/summer menu items beginning in May. Mouth-watering, locally grown Citrus & Avocado Salad topped with goldwatermelon vinaigrette and Grilled Steak Piadina, a delicious spiced London strip with cucumber, onion, and red peppers in a lime yogurt fetadressing, with julienne romaine hearts are just two samples. To view the full menu, visit our web site at www.wilsoncreekwinery.comCreekside Grille Open Daily 11AM - 5PM• “Grab-n-Go” Sat. & Sun. Only - Limited hours: Approx 11:00AM - 3:00PM

Check out theseon-lineFREEBIES!Executive Chef Clay Blake PresentsSalmon Steakswith Succotash-Feta Salad4, 7oz salmon steaks, skin-on4 ears yellow corn, kernals removed1 cup romano beans, cut on bias to 1/2”1/2 cup lima beans1 red bell pepper, diced1 small red onion, diced1 basket grape tomatoes, halved2 avocados, diced1 cup feta cheese, crumbled2 oz basil, chiffonade2 lemons, juiced1 cup extra virgin olive oilBlanch the corn, romanos, and limas in salted boilingwater for about 3 minutes. Drain, shock in icewater to stop cooking process, drain well again.Assemble all ingredients, and season to taste withsalt and crushed red pepper flakes. Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours. Season salmon steaks then grill overmedium-high heat until just cooked through, about7 minutes on each side, depending on thickness.Serve atop the chilled salad.Golden TimesOur popular golden retrievers are “kid magnets”. Thesefamily friendly dogs are probably the most photographedWilsonfamilymembers!Here, twokids cuddlewithChianti andCabernet infront of theCreeksideGrille.Limo Vineyard Tour(OK, it’s a golf cart!)Ahh summertime in the vineyards – sights, sounds and smellsnot to be missed! Enter this freebie to win a golf-cartvineyard tour for two (2) in Gerry Wilson’s “pimped-outride”. At the end of your tour you will be treated to lunchwith Gerry & Rosie and enjoy a nice chilled bottle of ournew Golden Medley (white) or Mourvedre (red). Go to theWine Club section of our web site and click on “Wine ClubFreebies”. Then click on the button that says “Tour” to enter.Wine for a Buck?Enter this freebie and receive your August Wine Club Releasefor the Sizzling Summer Price of only $1 (shipping isincluded!). Four winners will be drawn for this special prize.Go to the Wine Club section of our web site and click on the“Wine Club Freebies”. Then click on the button that says“$1” to enter. Good luck!Did You join us for anyof these fun events?Give us your feedback (and photos) tobe entered into our drawing! Winnerwill receive two (2) bottles of yourchoice of wines AND (2) bottles ofchampagne for only $1. We may usethem in our newsletter. Simply go to WineValentine’s DayJoey & Maria’s WeddingEaster BrunchMother’s Day LuncheonCigar NightSip, Savor & StompNew Year’s CelebrationClub section of our web site and click on the “Wine ClubFreebies”. Then click on the button that says “Event”. Besure to describe your experience at the event in the Commentsbox and be sure to upload your photo.AND THE WINNERS of ourprevious great “freebies” ARE...Craig Campman of Escondido, CA is the winner of the“Picnic” prize.James Czyzak of Red Rock, TX is the winner of the“In-A-Box” cigar prize.Congratulations!

WINE CLUBRAVING FANSErrol Garnett wrote...No matter what is happening in our lives or how our day is goingthere is just something special about Wilson Creek. Each time westop by we are greeted by a wonderful staff, meet great people whiletasting and always leave just a little happier than we arrived... andwe know it is more than the bubbles!Jim Church wrote...We are long-time members and continue to enjoy our shipments, ourvisits and sharing our visits with friends and family. We especiallyenjoy your family and staff and how everyone goes out of their wayto make you feel welcome. At our first visit to Creekside Grille,Rosie Wilson stopped and chatted with us at length. My out-of-towncousin was so impressed with the entire visit that she signed up tobecome a member as well.Pegi Battistoni wrote...We are members and it is always such a pleasure to come in to taste,browse, and visit. Everyone always makes us feel right at home andthose goldies just add to a very perfect setting.Jennifer Clements wrote...Being a San Diego native, I have watched the Temecula Valley wine region grow and cultivate its veryown personality and ambiance. Of all the wineries in the area, Wilson Creek has always kept itsfamily charm, welcoming grounds and amenities and most importantly its integrity. Even with itstremendous growth, all of the winery’s virtues have remained as the statement of the winery’s humblebeginnings. Not to mention that they have simply THE most exquisite reds in the Valley and abenchmark for local wines in their Almond Champagne. Thanks Wilson Creek – keep up the good work!Pasha Hunt wrote...The March Hare told me to stop by your winery to sample your famousAlmond Champagne. It took me by surprise, I was smitten at once. Ienjoyed a delicious lunch at the Creekside Grille, I had your “Wine Club,sandwich”. I have been back two times since my sign up in March, and Icrave both the sandwich and the Almond Champagne. I may be hooked forlife! Thank you for providing great food in a relaxing environment and forbeing “kid friendly”. My children love to come with me to run on the grassand play on the swing set, and pet your sweet dogs.Family Room UpdateWe are pouring wine in the Family Room for Wine Club Memberson weekends now! So if you find the main tasting bars crowded,come back to the Family Room, which is reserved exclusively formembers and theirguests.Congratulations!Left: Congratulations to ourEmployee of the Quarter,Etienne Cowper!Way to go winemaker!Great News! - In case you haven’t heard...We have TWO GREAT NEW CLUBS available for wine and champagne lovers! PLUS with all the same amazing membershipbenefits as our other clubs!Your choice of (12 bottles) of wines at the time of your sign-up (and the same every 6 monthsthereafter). RED WINE, WHITE WINE, CHAMPAGNE, IT’S UP TO YOU. You can even mix the caseof wines. Every six-months you can treat yourself to 12 bottles YOU HAND-SELECT for your shipment. Your Wine ClubTeam will keep you posted on all the new wines available and will process your order personally. We can ship it to your doorstepor have it available for pickup. YOU GET A 30% DISCOUNT ON ALL PICK-A-PACK WINES. YES, 30%!Pick-A-Pack ClubFor those Almond Champagne lovers out there, you can enjoy a case (12 bottles) of Almond Champagneevery six months delivered right to your door (after your initial purchase of 12 bottles upon sign-up)! We canship it to you or make it available for pick-up. You get 40% OFF RETAIL ON ALL CASES OF ALMOND CHAMPAGNE.Nut-Case ClubPlease contact your Wine Club Team today or ask your Tasting Room Staff for further details. 951-699-WINE (9463)

SUMMER SPLASHES... WITHSUPER WINES & CHAMPAGNESWILSON CREEK WINERY & VINEYARDSTHIS SHIPMENT’SFEATURE WINESOne red andone white.Two bottles of the samewhite plus champagne.Two bottlesof premium red.Add a bottle ofAlmond Champagne.2008 GOLDEN MEDLEYThis aromatic blend is floral and spicy with a touch of juicy fruit. Light straw in colorand in the mouth, the Golden Medley is a clean and refreshing medium body wine.Sweet fruit flavors predominate to include apricot, peach, pear and fruit cocktail and carrythrough to the finish.Varietal blend: 58% Chardonnay, 32% Muscat Blanc,10% ViognierBottling date: 1-29-2009Alcohol: 12.4%Ph: 3.60Regular bottle price $16.95Wine Club $13.56 - *Re-order price $11.86Case price $172.89Wine Club $152.55 - *Re-order price $132.21CLASSIC CLUB Prices shown arebefore applicable2008 Golden Medleytaxes and shipping.2006 MourvedreYour price $36.72 – YOU SAVE $9.18COLLECTORS’CIRCLE2006 Mourvedre (two bottles)Your price $46.32 – YOU SAVE $11.58GREAT WHITES2008 Golden Medley (two bottles)Almond ChampagneYour price $37.11 –YOU SAVE $13.742006 MOURVEDREThis Rhone-type varietal grows well in Southern Californiabecause of our warm micro-climate temperatures. It issoft yet sturdy on the palate with flavors of ripe cherries,plums, vanilla, cardamom and leather. The nose hasnotes of dark cherry, cedar, hazelnuts, nutmeg, leatherand earth-scents. Aged in French and AmericanOak for 18 months, and softer on the palate, this2006 Mourvedre will age nicely to 2012. It pairswell with anything from the grill: steak, rackof lamb, and barbeque cuisine.Varietal Blend: 86% Mourvedre, 4% Syrah,4% Zinfandel, 4% Merlot, 1% Petite Sirah,1% Cabernet SauvignonDate of Harvest: 9-27-2006Brix at Harvest: 24.5Alcohol: 15.5%Ph: 3.74Regular bottle price $28.95Wine Club $23.16 - *Re-order price $20.26Case price $295.29Wine Club $260.55 - *Re-order price $225.81In July the redgrapes will gothrough verasion,where they slowlychange from green tored and from acidicto sweet.Family Re-Order Specials30% &35%OFFThat’s right! When one of these featured wines tickles your taste budsand you’ve simply GOT to have MORE, just give us a jingle at(951) 699-WINE (9463) and you’ll receive a 30% discount on bottlere-orders! Buy a case or mixed case of any of these delicious stillwines in this shipment and receive a 35% discount!*Re-order prices offered in our tasting room or by contacting your “ExtendedFamily” Wine Club team. Offer valid through July 31, 2009. May not be validin some states. Valid on featured wines only.We’d love to hear from you! Call (951) 699-WINE (9463), visit our web site at www.wilsoncreekwinery.com, or emailus at wineclub@wilsoncreekwinery.com 35960 Rancho California Road • Temecula, CA 92591• Fax: (951) 695-9463