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Family-owned Wilson Creek Winery Nestled in Temecula Wine Country
The family vibe can be felt immediately when stepping foot on the beautiful Wilson Creek grounds right in the heart of Temecula Wine Country. It’s the kind of place where you just release a deep sigh because you feel at home. The atmosphere is not to be outdone by the fine quality of award-winning wine, gourmet food, and bustling tasting rooms. Wilson Creek Winery also hosts many weddings, private events, and concerts throughout the year. Good things are meant to be shared, and the Wilson family is remarkable at building their extended family community.
| These two individuals started their story in August of 1953 when they walked down the wedding aisle. They adopted a child and then gave birth to three more children, within the next two and half years. Gerry was a financial advisor, while Rosie was a former TV cooking show host. Family and work placed at the top of the list of their priorities. Neither one was ready to risk all their savings when one of their grown children suggested launching a new family business.
At first, they looked at Solvang, but it didn’t seem right for them. Then they discovered Temecula, and in 1996 they decided to take a gamble on creating a small winery and called it Wilson Creek Winery. They sold their home in South Pasadena and by the next year, three of their children and their spouses picked up from where they were living to move to Temecula wine country as well. The enduring success of Wilson Creek still is founded upon the love and commitment of the Wilson family members. The entire family is involved. Guests can feel the energy and personal touch when visiting the winery. Family members are always in attendance and ready to give a warm, personal welcome to all. Wilson Creek Winery has developed into a vibrant and dynamic center of quality wines, customer service, and entertainment. Bringing innovation and warmth to the valley, the Wilson family have cemented their legacy of presenting a warm family environment, having fun, and throwing great parties. Today, they own 90 acres and sell over 75,000 cases of wine each year. Each weekend the winery welcomes more than 1,500 visitors. Their winery hosts multiple charity events each year, that bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce* named them Gold Business of the Year four times. This family enterprise started with a dream, before it grew into the successful commercial entity it has become since the tasting room opened in 2000. *Temecula Chamber of Commerce – Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country |
Wilson Creek Winery has come a long way….
The Wilson experience and commitment demonstrates itself in the success of their numerous events, weddings, concerts, accommodations and charity functions that parallel a broad selection of award-winning wines. Home of the famous Almond Sparkling Wine (formerly known as Almond Champagne), the winery has garnered numerous prestigious wine awards. Gerry is especially proud that Wilson Creek is the unofficial winery of many Navy ships, including eight aircraft carriers. Wilson Creek has been an innovator in the local business community having garnered several awards including four-time Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, the Best of San Diego and Best of Inland Empire and Couples Choice award from Wedding Wire several times. Wilson Creek also sparked the attention of Hollywood and has been featured on the Today Show with Kathie Lee, Radical Sabbatical which aired on the Fine Living Network, the syndicated show Blind Date, Millionaire Matchmaker, Love Connection, Animal Planet, and the MTV show Dismissed just to name a few. Bill (C.E.O.) recognizes the contributions made by the Temecula Valley to the early success of Wilson Creek and now he seeks to give back by supporting various events and causes. Bill serves on several Temecula Valley boards sharing his experience such as the 20/20 vision, Temecula Valley Visitors Bureau, Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association and the Temecula Valley Water Board. That initial leap of faith and an unwavering dream-built Wilson Creek Winery to its current state. It is a destination in Temecula wine country where friendly service, great tasting wines, and entertainment are commonplace now. Gerry’s response when reflecting back many years ago to that leap of faith is, “Sure, I do miss South Pasadena. We lived there for 30 wonderful years. Yet, I love wine country. The main thing is that this is a family-run business. I love the fact that all my children and grandchildren are here. My commute is about 200 meters through a vineyard with a cup of coffee in my hand. We look forward to a daily routine of meeting our many guests, sharing a glass of wine with them, and welcoming them into our extended family. We are very blessed!”