The Accidental Winemaker
I never dreamed that I'd be a winemaker! Several years ago, we came to California with our small herd of horses to escape the Florida summers. While my wife was fully involved with the horses, I became interested in the vineyards around our ranch. Met some good people, got interested. And now, in 2020, we've bottled the first of grapes that I helped source and blend, wines that have my input with the assistance of master winemaker, Steve Clifton.
Hopefully, you will enjoy drinking these wines as much as I've enjoyed making them.
Kent Mitchell
Independence Day Derby
This past weekend we did a little "in-house" sponsorship and had Kent's Cafe dishing up burgers at one of Rona's schooling weekends. And wow, we had double the number of participants from prior events with two full days jam packed with riders of all abilities. I had a fun time chatting with folks and dishing up food, Rona ran around like a crazy woman, totally in her element with horses galore and we both had a ball sharing our ranch with everyone. A little exhausting but oh so worth it...even in the almost 100 degree heat. Thanks to all who came out to play and practice.
Jul 11, 2021 at 8:00 PM
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Just June
After a visit to Pennsylvania to celebrate Rona's parent's 60th Wedding Anniversary, Rona's back in CA while I'm working in North Carolina. I definitely think she's got the better weather. We're meeting up in Ocala next week to start close on our new farm there. After that, back to CA where she's planning another fun schooling show for the weekend of July 9th (Code WINE50 is 50% off July 1 -12). This month in addition to our CASE25 discount on 12 bottles or more, we're doing a Father's Day Discount (Code DAD50) to offer 50% off in honor of Father's Day. All month the FOTWL10 gives customers an additional 10% off on most other discounts and we donate 40% of all proceeds to a wildlife non-profit - this month, Friends of Texas Wildlife in The Woodlands, TX.
We shipped out a case of wine to be enjoyed by a young couple in Texas in honor of a birthday (thanks to his Aunt Debbie) and folks are getting prepped for their corporate holiday gifting - contact Rona to ask about discounts and special notecards and stickers. Last year we handled all the corporate gifting via email so that gifts could receive maximum personalization and we are happy to do so again this year.
Jun 8, 2021 at 12:00 PM
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Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Sounds so cut and dried. In reality, most of us cannot begin to imagine the sacrifice made by these folks and their families. We owe everything to them. So, take a few minutes, remember those who have sacrificed so that we can live the lives we lead. We are offering members of the military 35% off all orders and 10% off shipping. All the time, not just today. Please email Rona longcreekwines@gmail.com so we can get you set up in the system with the discounts.
It's also almost time for our Summer Wine Club shipments. Sign up or edit your choices by June 10th and we will be shipping (free to California) by June 15th (just in time for Father's Day). In addition to 15%, 20%, or 25% Club Discounts, use code CCWR10 for an additional 10% off your order AND we donate 40% of all proceeds for the month to a wildlife rehab center. That's up to 35% off (with our 6 bottle club) and even 25% off with our 2 bottle club.
May 31, 2021 at 6:00 AM
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What a Month
It's been a bit of a rough month. After traveling a lot in April, we returned home and after a week of refusing Rona's efforts to get me to the Emergency Room I finally agreed. Apparently just in time as I got to spend a week as the guest of Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. Fast forward a few weeks and we're doing fine and things are about back to normal.
I'd like to say thanks to our wholesale accounts for promoting Long Creek Wines! As Rona pointed out, that while Wholesale accounts buy by the case, we're happy to "mix and match" to make up the cases for you.
For our retail folks, don't forget that we offer case discounts to you all as well AND they can couple with our "feel good discount" of the month - this month for Coastal Carolina Wildlife Rehab.
Thanks again as we head into summer!
May 24, 2021 at 8:30 AM
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Wine Day Derby
With National Wine Day coming up this month, Rona again decided to throw her version of a party - another horse event at the ranch. After she snuck in last month's "Unicorn Day Derby" while I was out of town, at least I'll be there for this one. Like always, super fun, casual day for local trainers and riders to come enjoy a show environment with low stress, good friends, BBQ, and maybe some wine. WINE50 May 14-16 gets a 50% discount on all orders. And this month we're benefitting the Coastal Carolina Wildlife Rehab (NC) - 40% of all proceeds for the month of May will be donated to them.
In other exciting news, our wines are now being poured at The Alisal Guest Ranch! We're so excited as we enjoy walking down for Sunday brunch and we overlook the Ranch from our back patio.
May 1, 2021 at 12:00 AM
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Texas Wildlife
I headed to Cook's Branch Conservancy for some family Foundation work last week and Rona flew in to meet me to spend a few days visiting family and friends in Houston and Austin. Apparently, it wasn't enough to donate money to wildlife rehab, Rona had to save a critter on her own.
While waiting for me to pick her up at the Houston Airport, she noticed a group of people entering with lots of yelling and cell phone videos going...at which point a tiny baby opossum ran into baggage claim. Without missing a beat, Rona scooped the baby up in her scarf, contacted Wild West Wildlife Rehab in Amarillo (last month's donations) for a contact in Houston. With lots of questions from the LA Professional Rugby Team, I picked up Rona and her new friend and we headed to the Woodlands Mall (opossum still cradled in a scarf), grabbed a pet carrier, food, and some soft snuggly things and headed to Cook's Branch for the evening.
After a night of snuggly the pet carrier (opossum was unhappy unless nestled next to Rona's heartbeat), we headed to Friends of Texas Wildlife in The Woodlands and dropped off our baby. There they plan to introduce several of the same size to each other, make sure they are fit and well-fed, and then they'll be released back at a 5,000 acre preserve. Not a bad rescue!
Apr 21, 2021 at 10:18 AM
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National Unicorn Day? Who Knew?
Apparently this is happening at our place this weekend! I left Rona alone for a few days and suddenly there are jumps everywhere, banners and flags up, and bunches of kids, ponies, people and horses descending on our place to celebrate "National Unicorn Day". Use Code UNICORN50 and get 50% off your order. Free shipping in California!
Apr 9, 2021 at 3:33 AM
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Wines for Wildlife
Somehow, Rona talked me into (it wasn't that difficult) to donate a portion of our proceeds to different non-profit organizations. In honor of "Groundhog Day", February brought a "feel good" discount of 10% discount - COMBINED with other discounts and we sent a check for $650 to the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network.
In March, she did one for "National Wildlife Day" and thanks to our customers we are able to donate $675 to the Wild West Wildlife Rehab Center in Texas - Rona's folks have enjoyed seeing them featured on "Lonestar Law" a few times.
Apparently, Rona tells me that in April, we'll be benefiting the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network again (use code SBWCN10 to receive a 10% discount in addition to your other discounts) and in May it will be for the Coastal Carolina Wildlife Rehab (CCWR10) in Wilmington, NC. 
Apr 1, 2021 at 1:32 PM
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Wellington Life
After barely touching down back in California to fulfill our Wine Club shipments and process a few orders, Rona and I are back on the East Coast, enjoying the last few weeks of the Winter Equestrian Festival at our farm in Wellington, FL. While our horses remained behind in CA this winter, we've enjoyed watching our niece, Sophia Mitchell, and her friends compete in the Junior Hunters and Equitation Classes. We also managed a quick afternoon at the Palm Beach Boat Show yesterday!
Mar 26, 2021 at 8:05 AM
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Rainy Days and Mondays....
Continuing a whirlwind trip of the East Coast, visiting Rona's parents in Pennsylvania, then on to North Carolina for some business meetings before heading back to California. Our Aspen private wine tasting was very well received and we ended up hosting folks from CA, FL, CO, and NY. Managed a trip to Bald Head Island for a rainy afternoon - still pretty in the rain! 
Mar 17, 2021 at 12:10 PM
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