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
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!