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| Monthly News from Muscadine Wine Country |
May/June 2009 | |
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Greetings!
Though we may be a little biased, spring time in the vineyards here in Duck Springs Valley is truly magical and invigorating. The vineyards and mountain sides are waking up from their  winter slumber showing hints of vibrant green. Flowers are showing their sunny faces, seeming equally happy with the rain as with the sunshine. We also recently spotted a bald eagle who majestically watches over the landscape--one of many kinds of wildlife that dwell in the Duck Springs nature preserve. Ah, the wonders of nature!
We invite you to come experience this vineyard "magic" for yourself. In this issue of The Grapevine, you'll find a variety of events to justify one or more visits to muscadine wine country over the next two months. Or perhaps a BBQ Wine Sauce recipe or a painting of Duck Springs Valley at our Vineyards from Gadsden's Pein Air Festival will bring a bit of wine country into your home.
Read and enjoy. Cheers!
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Toast to Mothers! Saturday Brunch on the Lawn
 Celebrate Mother's Day early on Saturday, May 9th in Alabama Wine Country at Wills Creek Vineyards. The outdoor event, which will include wine tasting, a delicious brunch and live music, will be from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Brunch will be served starting at 11:00 am. Live music will begin at noon.
Make this Mother's Day one to remember! Here's what's in store.
A delicious Brunch Menu will be offered by Nessa's of Collinsville, featuring
- Spinach salad with raspberry walnut dressing
- Ham, egg and cheese frittata with crusty bread
- Mini berry muffins
- Seasonal fruit over a splash of sparkling wine
- All of the above for $16/person.
- A variety of beverages will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle.
Musical guest Randy Sitz from Gadsden will entertain us from Noon to 2pm with his acoustic guitar.
A raffle for Wills Creek Vineyards gift certificates and a gift basket will be held, with the drawing taking place at 2pm.
Reservations are required for brunch. Call the winery at 256 538-5452 to reserve your table today. The event will be tented, so we can celebrate rain or shine!
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Jazz Up Your Saturdays in May and June
Change up your Saturday routine by venturing out to Wills Creek Vineyards for an evening of music and dinner, or join us in Birmingham at the Pepper Place Market. We have some great events planned for May and June!
Saturday, May 23 Jazz Night with Liz Wood Project
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.
Enjoy the sunset and the fresh air of a spring night, and let jazz tunes take your cares away. Food by Nessa's will be available, as well as a selection of beverages. $5 cover charge/person at the gate for entertainment.
Saturday, June 6
Pepper Place Market Alabama Wineries Wine Tasting
9:00 am - 1:00 pm  Join us at the Pepper Place Market in Birmingham for a wine tasting, featuring wines from participating Alabama wineries. No reservations required. For directions and information, visit www.peperplacemarket.com. For wine enthusiasts, every Saturday until the end of the Pepper Place Market season, two wineries will be present for tastings and purchase of their wines.
Saturday, June 13Summer Concert Series I - Featuring Rick and Tad
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.  Come to bask in an evening of relaxing and entertaining music with Rick and Tad. Seasonal menu and beverages will be available. $5 cover charge/person at the gate for entertainment.
For parties of 6 or more, please call ahead (256) 538-5452 to reserve a table.
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New Releases: Dry, Sweet and Award-winning Sweetest!
Two new wines have just been released for tasting and purchase at Wills Creek Winery. Our Delisse wine, released last month, received a bronze medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.
 First, our limited edition Rosso Forti is a super Tuscan styled wine vinted from Cabernet Sauvignon,Merlot, Sangiovese and other native Italian varieties. It's a big, full-bodied wine with bold fruit notes of cassis, plum and cherry. French oak contributes toasty vanilla and greater depth in this intense wine. It's been aged for one year in our barrels and is quite a special wine for your enjoyment now or it can be aged in the bottle for up to three more years.
 Next, is a new Sweet Red Muscadine wine for those of you who enjoy the fruity, bold taste of the Red Muscadine but wish it were a tad sweeter. It has a full muscadine bouquet with notes of pepper and cherry. With a smooth, long finish this is an excellent wine to savor as a pre-dinner apperitif or to serve with your favorite southern foods.
And the winner is...(drum roll please)
Delisse!
 The 2007 vintage of our muscadine dessert wine, Delisse, received a bronze medal in the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition to benefit Camp Good Days. The wine was judged by 45 International Wine judges. Camp Good Days provides a camping experience and more for children and adults facing the toughest challenges of life. Learn more at www.campgooddays.org.
 Also, coming soon are two new releases--a Pinot Noir and a Riesling--under the new Tigers for Tomorrow labels. As with all of our Tiger wines, a portion of the sales will go to benefit this local non-profit exotic animal preserve.
Come by the tasting room soon to sample these unique and award-winning wines!
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From Brush to Canvas: Artists Capture the Vistas of "Alabama the Beautiful" at WCV
 As part of Gadsden's Southeastern Plein Air Painting Festival that ran from April 26 - May 1, 2009, artists from across the nation were invited to visit Gadsden and paint the city's historic homes, lakes, rivers, mountains--and vineyards!
Several of the artists found their inspiration at Wills Creek Vineyards and spent a day painting the natural views.
Paintings were displayed in a "Wet Paint" exhibit at the Gadsden Museum of Art on May 1. Paintings will be on display for viewing and bidding until the live auction on Friday, June 5th.
For more information regarding this event, visit the Gadsden Museum of Art Web site or check out the GMA Blog for daily updates. | |
Entertainer's Corner: Recipe for Wine BBQ Sauce
Fire up the grill, and enjoy this tasty version of BBQ sauce that  will infuse your meal with a taste of Southern Wine Country!
Wine BBQ Sauce
3/4 cup Wills Creek Vineyards Blazing Sun
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup minced chives or scallion tops
1 cup minced parsley
2 or 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Directions
This sauce is best if prepared the day before. In a large glass jar or bowl mix all ingredients, cover tightly and let stand overnight at room temperature. Use as a basting sauce for beef, pork, lamb, poultry, fish or game. This sauce is excellent used as a marinade before barbecuing.
Pairs beautifully with Wills Creek Vineyards Blazing Sun, Gentille or White Muscadine wines.
Cheers! | |
 Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 p.m. is the next wine making class. Classes are held at the Wills Creek Vineyards winery. Advance registration is encouraged, but not required. Admission is free.
Classes occur the first Saturday of every month. The next classes will be held on July 4 and August 1. For more information about the class topics, visit Winery Events on the Wills Creek Vineyards web site. Learn more>>
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Tasting room hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
We look forward to welcoming you to Alabama wine country on your next visit! |
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Sincerely,
Jahn & Janie Coppey
Wills Creek Vineyards | | |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
May
Mother's Day Brunch
May 9, 11am - 3pm
Reservations required
Picnic Lunches on the Lawn
May 16, 23 and 30
11am - 2pm Jazz Night with The Liz Wood Project
May 23, 6pm - 9pm
$5 cover/person for entertainment.
Dinner available.
June 6 at 2pm
Picnic Lunches on the Lawn
Every Saturday in June, 11am - 2pm
Summer Concert Series I - Featuring Rick and Tad
June 13, 6pm - 9pm
$5 cover/person for entertainment. Dinner available.
For more details on these events and others to come, visit our website or call the winery at (256) 538-5452.
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| Places to Stay Near
Wills Creek Vineyards
When you've traveled far or want to make a weekend of your Alabama wine trail touring, stay at one of these lovely Bed and Breakfasts not far from WCV.
The Secret
Bed & Breakfast Lodge
Leesburg, Alabama
Perched atop Lookout Mountain lies The Secret Bed & Breakfast Lodge -
the best kept (secret) in the south!
Visit The Secret Online
Capps Cove
Oneonta, Alabama
A nostalgic retreat to a simpler time. An uncommon North Alabama bed and breakfast just a short drive north of Birmingham.
Visit Capps Cove Online |
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Quick Link
Contact Us
Tel: (256) 538-5452 |
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Wills Creek Vineyards wines available this month, listed from driest to sweetest, include:
- Rosso Forti
- Gentille
- Sunset Rose
- Blazing Sun
- Dry Red Muscadine
- White Muscadine
- Ruby Red
- Autumn Blush
- Scupperdyme
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Sweet Muscadine
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Sweet Red Muscadine
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Delisse
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Cupid's Nectar
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Murelle
Also available, Tigers for Tomorrow private label wines:
Fruit-infused wines
Available Foods
Summer Sausages 10oz. packages for $8 each.
Gourmet Cheeses 10oz for $6.50 each. |
| We Support
Tigers For Tomorrow 
For each bottle sold of our three private label wines--Roar, Tiger Lily and Screamer--three dollars are donated toward the Tigers for Tomorrow rescue preserve.
Visit Tigers for Tomorrow |
Sign up to receive our monthly newsletters, plus advance notice of special offers and members-only events. | | |
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Limited Time Offer:
Free Dessert with Purchase of Sandwich |
Picnic Lunches on the Lawn
Every Saturday, Wills Creek Vineyards offers a special picnic menu complete with appetizers, sandwiches, soups and desserts.
What better place to get outside and enjoy the fresh spring air than the grounds of Wills Creek Winery! Take in the views of the duck pond, vineyard and rolling hills, and enjoy a scrumptious lunch with your favorite Wills Creek Wine.
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No reservations required. Parties of 6 or more please call ahead.
Free Dessert offer Expires May 31, 2009. Just mention or bring in this ad to receive a free dessert with your purchase of any sandwich. Limit one per customer. | |
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