Reality Stars to Help Unveil Wine

Eight reality television stars are set to sign bottles of limited-edition wines Saturday.

The event, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Wilson Creek Winery, 35960 Rancho California Road.

The stars will sign two private lables, called Reality Red and Reality Riesling. The wine will be on sale for $24.95 a bottle.

Stars scheduled for the event include Craig Slike from “The Mole,” Cristina Coria-Lopez from “Survivor Cook Islands,” Kathy Lansford, a winner of “Fear Factor,” Bridgetta Tomarchio from “Project My World: Wanted Ted or Alive,” Kendra Guffey from “Pirate Master,” Brook Roberts the runner up of the most recent season of the “Amazing Race,” Bruce Kanegai of "Survivor Exile Island," Dennis Luciano of "Ordinary Joe" and Reality Rally creator Gillian Larson from “Survivor Gabon.”

A portion of all wine sales will go toward Michelle’s Place as part of Wilson Creek Winery’s sponsorship of Reality Rally Temecula Valley. Larson chose Michelle’s Place as the benefactor of this inaugural event and hopes to raise $100,000 for the center.

Michelle’s Place, a breast cancer resource center in Murrieta, was founded 10 years ago by the parents of Michelle Watson, a woman who died from breast cancer at age 26.

According to Kim Goodnough, executive director, operating costs for the center run about $500,000 a year. It is nonprofit, with about 50 percent of its funding coming from grants.

The center serves about 1,500 women a year, she said. It offers wigs, bras, exercise classes and support classes for cancer survivors and their families. It also helps women get medical care.

According to Goodnough, there are no programs in California that help women younger than 40 who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Michelle’s Place steps in by helping them financially to get that care. “We are very fortunate we have relationships with local practitioners,” Goodnough said.

Watson was misdiagnosed three times in her early 20s before she learned she had breast cancer, Goodnough said. At that time, there were no local support centers in the Temecula Valley.

“Michelle found a center in Santa Barbara that she really liked. It was in an old home. So as a dying wish, she wanted a place like that here,” Goodnough said.

About 10 women a year are diagnosed through Michelle’s Place. “Those 10 women, we have changed their lives. They are not scared anymore,” she said.

“We are so grateful for their support and their dedication to serving women in their community,” Goodnough said about Wilson Creek Winery. “They always find a fun way to help. I am looking forward to the launch of Reality Red and Reality Riesling.”

The wines can be purchased online by clicking here.

Reality Rally’s main event, an “Amazing Race” style game, will pair locals up with one of 80 reality stars, taking them through the Temecula Valley. The event is set for April 15-17, and will get started with a wine and cheese reception on April 15 at Wilson Creek Winery.

Larson dreamed up the event with the purpose of highlighting the Temecula Valley, bringing the community together with the reality world and raising money for a local charity.

She said she chose Michelle’s Place partly due to her brother dying from cancer. She has also been involved as a volunteer for Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in San Diego.

Larson, 64, competed on “Survivor Gabon.” She has lived in Temecula for many years, and is originally from South Africa. Her children and grandchildren also live in Temecula.

“I am in awe to watch how my vision has been embraced by so many amazing people,” Larson said. “That vision was to have Temecula build and participate in one awesome town-wide event; it is happening. I will be forever grateful to all who have become Reality Rally. My thanks to Wilson Creek for their fun and awesome sponsorship and having this promotional event.”

For more information about Reality Rally, tickets to all events or to register, visit Realityrally.com.