Now the Oklahoma legislature has managed to rollback the progress that voters demanded in 2000 for what their lobbyists now demand.  Our leaders tell us we need to accept free trade and globalization BUT ONLY as long as it benefits their corporate masters. Oklahoma winemakers are forced to support the parasitic business model of centralized liquor distribution, even if it kills the whole industry for our state. Sadly, there are no leaders you can vote for who are not bought and paid for by big business.  What you can do is support the local industry by take the time to visit an Oklahoma winery.

With what may be the impending death of Oklahoma vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms looming, you may not have many more chances to taste the fruits of Oklahoma vines!

Oklahoma Winery Announcements

Sunday Brunch at Territory Cellars Sundays 11am - 2pm

Enjoy different Ethnic cuisines each month. The cost is $30.00 for two and $20.00 for one. The lunch will include appetizer, salad, main entrée, dessert and a glass of wine. Lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Now serving lunch and dinner every Thursday & Friday!

Make your reservations today

(918) 968-2575

Winery Location: 1521 N Hwy 99, Stroud, OK, just ½ mile north of the Turner Turnpike on State Highway 99.

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Attractions: Various Artists and Vendors with their products:

Food & Drinks - Lavender Tea, Cookies, and Desserts; Old fashioned Breakfast (9:00 am to 10:30 am);

India Specialty Food (Lunch only 11:00 am to 2:00 pm)

Imported Clothing, Jewelry, & Brass Gifts from India… Jewelry – Turquoise, Handmade, and Sterling silver … Lavender - Seasonal We-Pick for U in the Lavender field; Fresh/Dried Lavender; Live Lavender Plants; Oil, Buds…

Lavender Soap, Candles, & Lotions… Wineries and much more…. ____________________________________________________

Where: Out in the deep country, 85 miles South West of

Oklahoma City, 19 miles South of Anadarko, 7 miles South of Ft. Cobb, and about 31 miles North of Lawton/ Fort Sill.

Direction from Apache: From the T-stop at North end of Town (HWY 19 , 62, & 281), turn left (West) 4 ½ miles on HWY 19; turn right (North) on tar road (CS 2550) and go 5 miles; turn left (West) on gravel road (CR 1410) and go 3/4 miles.

Alternate Direction from Apache: From the T-stop at North end of Town (HWY 19 , 62, & 281), turn right (East) 3/4 miles to 4 – Way Stop (Apache school on your left); Turn left (North) on HWY 62 and go 5 miles North; turn left (West) on gravel road (CR 1410) and go 5 and 3/4 miles .

Oklahoma Wineries in the News

The website for Sailing Horse Winery in Eufaula recently linked to an excellent YouTube video. It shows a recent episode of The Oklahoma Horizon Show focused on the Oklahoma wine industry. The report includes interviews with a number of Oklahoma winemakers, grape growers and legislators, as well as loads of Oklahoma vineyard and winery footage.

If you have the bandwidth to download the five minute video, check it out.

Redlands Spring 2008 Course Schedule
Click here for more information (PDF)

VIN 1113 Principles of Viticulture I
Jan 12/13  / Feb 16/17  / Mar 29/30

VIN 2231 Soil, Irrigation and Nutrition
Feb 2/3

ENO 1112 Principles of Enology I
Jan 19/20 / Feb 23/24

VIN 1121 Global Terroir
Mar 8/9

ENO 1121 Sensory Evaluation
Feb 8/9

Nuyaka Creek Winery now offers their wines to to retail liquor stores through Central Liquor Company in OKC.  Ask your local wine retailer to stock Nuyaka Creek Wines!  (I like their Oklahoma Merlot and their Elderberry Wine).

Oklahoma Legislators Abandon Oklahoma Wine Industry

"Oklahoma voters apparently appreciate the case for the local wine industry. In 2000 a state referendum passed in all 77 counties, by a margin of 70 per cent or more, allowing winemakers to sell their products directly to retail liquor stores and restaurants. Wineries in Oklahoma are, for the most part, boutique facilities. Their output is small and their profit margin is slim. Start-up costs are not inexpensive. One well-established winery is expecting to operate in the black this year, after seven years of red ink.

And now, for the bad news. Thanks to three liquor wholesale companies in Oklahoma, wineries may be forced to sell their products through wholesalers who take up to a 22 per cent cut for their minimal efforts.

The wholesalers sued the ABLE Commission, saying direct sales were illegal. Seems they’re concerned that large out-of-state producers are going to be crushed by Okie wine sales. Or are they worried that the out-of-staters might be able to bypass them, too?

A federal judge was forced to agree with the wholesalers based on a US Supreme Court case preventing discrimination between in-state and out-of-state wineries. He did, however, stay his decision to give the legislature time to rewrite the Oklahoma law so that it not only conformed to federal law, but reflected the wishes of Oklahoma citizens (remember the 2000 vote)..." Elaine Warner (Oklahoma  Travel Blog) - Full Article Link

Sadly, the Oklahoma State Representatives did bother to work toward free markets or fair trade or even consumer protection.  The new rules for Oklahoma winemakers do not even allow them to deliver their products to Oklahoma liquor stores for sale.  They sold Oklahoma out...plain and simple.

New Group Fighting for Free Trade in American Wines

Wine distributors in Oklahoma have lobbied successfully to cut you off from wine simply so they can reduce competition they might otherwise have to face. What’s important is not the consumer. What’s important is that distributors protected their favored position in your state by convincing politicians to pass protectionist, unconstitutional laws that prohibit you from buying wine and make the wine you do have access to in your state even more expensive.

Specialty Wine Retailers Association is the only organization fighting this concerted effort across the nation by distributors to limit your access to wine and retailers’ access to the market.

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