Category: Recipes

Sip Into Summer: Sangria Recipes Straight From the Wilson Creek Wine Academy

Posted on July 3, 2025 in Recipes

 

What happens when you give our Wine Club Members a lineup of Wilson Creek wines, a table full of mixers, and a whole lot of creative freedom?

Sangria magic. 

At our most recent Wine Academy session—our exclusive hands-on experience for Wine Club Members—we hosted a lively Sangria Blending class. Members teamed up to craft their own unique sangria recipes using our signature wines, botanical ingredients, and a splash of inspiration. And guess what? The results were so good, we had to share them with the world.

Whether you’re throwing a backyard bash or just cooling off with a glass on the patio, these member-created sangrias are perfect for summer sipping.


White Sangria – Bright, Fresh & Perfect for Day Drinking

This one’s like a tropical breeze in a glass—cool, citrusy, and oh-so-refreshing, thanks to our crisp Sauvignon Blanc and lightly sweet Moscato.

You’ll need:

Botanical Tincture:

  • 1 tsp dried spearmint

  • 1 tsp dried ginger root

  • ½ tsp lemongrass

  • ½ tsp fenugreek

  • ½ cup gin (warmed)


Rosé Sangria – Flirty, Floral & Fan-Favorite Pink Drink

Designed by a team who clearly knows how to brunch, this pretty-in-pink blend combines Rosé of Cinsault with floral hints and warm vanilla.

You’ll need:

Botanical Tincture:

  • 2 tsp dried hibiscus

  • 1 tsp dried ginger root

  • ½ small cinnamon stick

  • 2 tbsp vanilla sugar

  • ½ cup gin (warmed)


Red Sangria – Bold, Rich & Berry-licious

A sangria that says, “I’m here to party.” This deep, fruit-forward blend starts with NV Grenache and builds with spice, cherry, and complexity.

You’ll need:

  • 4 bottles Wilson Creek NV Grenache

  • 2 cups white cranberry-cherry juice

  • 2 cups white cranberry-raspberry juice

  • ½ cup Grand Marnier

Botanical Tincture:

  • 2 cardamom pods

  • 3 cloves

  • ½ tsp grains of paradise

  • 1 tbsp cacao nibs

  • ½ tsp fenugreek

  • ½ small cinnamon stick

  • ½ cup gin (warmed)


Tank 15 Sangria – Spicy, Sultry & Seriously Good

A fan-favorite at the event, this sangria features our bold Tank 15 Red Blend and a spicy botanical mix that gives it a warm, exotic edge.

You’ll need:

Botanical Tincture:

  • 2 star anise pods

  • 3 cloves

  • ½ tsp grains of paradise

  • 1 tbsp cacao nibs

  • ½ small cinnamon stick

  • ½ cup cognac (warmed)


How to Make the Botanical Tinctures

To infuse your gin or cognac with rich flavor:

Warm it slightly to around 90°F, stir in the herbs and spices, and let steep for a few hours. Once ready, mix it into your sangria and chill the whole batch for a few hours (overnight is even better).


DIY Sangria Tips from the Pros (aka You!)

  • Add fresh herbs or fruit to enhance flavor and make it photo-ready.

  • Chill your sangria long enough to let all the flavors mingle.

  • Want it sweeter or stronger? Tweak the juice or spirit ratios to suit your vibe.


These blends were made by our Wilson Creek family—Wine Club Members who know their way around a good glass of wine.

Want in on the next Wine Academy event? Join the Wine Club and be part of the fun!

Cheers to summer, sangria, and unforgettable sips. 

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Wilson Creek’s Holiday Wassail

Posted on December 5, 2024 in Recipes

A fabulous addition to a cold winter evening. A holiday tradition of ours, this wassail will add a glow to your festivities & make family & friends feel welcome.

  • 4 cups apple cider
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 navel orange (zested and juiced)
  • 4 chole cloves
  • 3-star anise
  • 4 navel oranges (pealed for garnish)
  • 1 Bottle of VS Cabernet Zinfandel

Directions for Wassail: Combine cider, wine, cinnamon sticks, zest, juice, cloves, and star anise in a crockpot on low for 4-6 hours or in a large saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.  Pour into your favorite mug and garnish with an orange peel.

Add a Sparkling Sangria Topper!

 

 

Directions for Chilled Mulled Sangria Sparkling:

4 oz. chilled mulled Zinfandel and 2 oz chilled Wilson Creek Sparkling Sangria.

Serve in your favorite champagne flute or wine glass and garnish with a fresh orange slice, lime slice, optional add-in’s include fresh blueberries, pomegranate, and cranberries.

 

A great gift option for the holidays! Winter Mulled Wine 2 pk Special.

Mulled Wine Duo with our VS Cabernet Zinfandel & Sangria Sparkling topper is a Winter delight! Two ways to enjoy our mulled wine recipe. Hot or Chilled. Includes: Wine and recipe for your fun and festive party.

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Watermelon Sangria

Posted on July 29, 2024 in Recipes

Stay cool this weekend with a huge bowl of Watermelon Sangria! Our Watermelon Sparkling is bursting with nostalgic mid-summer fruit flavors. A perfect accompaniment to sun-drenched days by the pool or a BBQ with friends!

INGREDIENTS
  • Large watermelon (seedless if you can)
  • (750-ml) bottle of Watermelon Sparkling, chilled
  • 2 c. white rum
  • 1 c. lime sparkling water 
  • 1/3 c. lime juice
  • lemons, thinly sliced
  • 2 c. assorted fresh or frozen fruit, such as pineapple, blueberries, and strawberries
DIRECTIONS
  • Slice off the top third of the watermelon lengthwise (set aside and save for later use). On the large half, score fruit with a knife and scoop out the watermelon and transfer to blender.
  • Blend watermelon until smooth. (If desired, strain seeds.)
  • Add chilled wine, rum, lime sparkling water, and lime juice and stir until combined, then add limes and fruit.
  • Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours, then serve.

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Stars, Stripes, and Bomb Pops

Posted on July 3, 2024 in Recipes
 

Dive into the ultimate summer refreshment with our Bomb Pop Sparkling Drink, a vibrant and playful drink that combines the tropical essence of our Coconut Sparkling, the crisp elegance of our Brut Sparkling, and the juicy sweetness of our Watermelon Sparkling. This delightful drink is taken to the next level with the addition of a classic Bomb Pop popsicle, adding a nostalgic touch and a burst of color for your Fourth of July Celebration! From backyard BBQs to dazzling fireworks shows lighting up the night sky there are so many ways to celebrate! Grab your favorite Wilson Creek Sparkling, add a festive Bomb Pop Popsicle, and cheers to celebrating our nation’s spirit in the most deliciously patriotic way possible!

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Grab your Sparkling Wine of choice (or combine all 3)
  2. Add the Bomb Pop Popsicle
  3. Stir
  4. Enjoy! As the popsicle melts it will add different flavors and keep your wine chilled.

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Peach Cobbler with Whiskey Whipped Cream

Posted on June 17, 2024 in Recipes

We love a good summer dessert, especially in the Temecula heat! This mouthwatering Peach Cobbler is such a fun, easy dessert and so delicious. Top with our whiskey whipped cream and this will be your go-to summer dessert from now on! 

Pairs well with our Wilson Creek Moscato

Ingredients

  • 4 cups peeled sliced peaches
  • 2 cups sugar, divided
  • ½ cup water
  • 8 tablespoons butter
  • 1 ½ cups self-rising flour
  • 1 ½ cups milk

for the whipped cream

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon Whiskey

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Combine the peaches, 1 cup sugar, and water in a saucepan and mix well
  3.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes
  4. Remove from the heat
  5. Put the butter in a 3 quart baking dish and place in oven to melt
  6. Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, and milk slowly to prevent clumping
  7. Pour mixture over melted butter
  8. Do not stir
  9. Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring in syrup
  10. Batter will rise to top during baking
  11. Bake for 30-45 minutes

for the whipped cream

  1. Using a stand or hand mixer whip cream and sugar together until soft peaks form.
  2. Add whiskey and vanilla mix until combined.

Enjoy! 

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