2008 Nuyaka Creek Winefest May 17

Nuyaka Creek Winery Sign
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

Join our celebration of fine Oklahoma wines during the Nuyaka Creek Winery 2008 Spring WineFest! More than just a showcase for great wine, the festival offers a fun filled day in the country, live music and the chance to visit with other Oklahoma folks interested in building a great wine industry for our state. Dad even breaks out some wine grape vines to sell most years!

Last Fall we had a terrific line up of many different Oklahoma wines to taste, this Spring should be even better!

DATE: May 17th, 2008 Noon until 7:30 PM
ADMISSION: Buy one $5.00 souvenir wine glass and taste all of the wines.
INFORMATION: Call the Nuyaka Mall at 918-756-8485 or visit the Winefest website.

Remember: Nuyaka Creek's wines are labeled 'Bristow, Ok', but the winery is actually located in the woods...quite a ways East of town.

PRINT THE MAP from the Nuyaka Creek Winery website.

Cinco de Mayo Fun Run May 2 in Tulsa

Eufaula Oklahoma's Sailing Horse Winery has announced that they will be traveling around the state pouring their fine Oklahoma wines at a number of events this May. Here are a few you may want to check out:

May 2nd, 2008 Fun Run At Tulsa's Veterans Park

• 1 Mile Fun Run at 6:30pm
• 5K Race at 7:00pm
• Race day registration: 5:30pm

Enjoy live music, free Mexican Food, tasty beverages, Oklahoma wine tasting, great post-race prize drawing and more! Bring the entire family for this fun-filled evening!

2008 Bucket Run Regatta
May 16th, 2008 from 6pm until ?
Gators at Lake Eufaula Cove

McAlester's Annual Italian Festival
May 17th-18th, 2008
McAlester Expo center

Visit the Sailing Horse Winery website:
http://www.sailinghorse.com/ for more info as well as news and Oklahoma wine tasting events.

2008 Drumright Wine Festival June 14

Don't Miss The Annual Drumright Wine Festival on Saturday June14th, 2008 from 2pm - 8pm.

Enjoy great live music, local artists, gourmet food, and vineyard tours while tasting some of Oklahoma's finest wines from multiple Oklahoma wineries. This tends to be one of the top outdoor wine events in Oklahoma, so start making plans to attend this fun event.

Colony Cove Event Canceled

The Colony Cove Wine Event previously scheduled for June 21, 2008 in Grove, Oklahoma has been cancelled.

Oklahoma Winery Distribution Bill Goes to Senate

State Bill to Allow Oklahoma Wineries to Distribute Their Own Products

04-15-2008 - A bill aimed at helping small Oklahoma wineries distribute their products won approval Monday from the Oklahoma State House.

The measure calls for Oklahoma voters to decide whether small wineries in the state should be given back the right to distribute their own products to liquor stores and restaurants.

Oklahoma wineries were given that right following a statewide vote in 2000, but a federal judge ruled in 2006 that the law discriminated against out-of-state wineries.

If approved in a statewide referendum, the new measure would allow any winery to distribute up to 10,000 gallons of wine without going through a liquor wholesaler.

The measure now goes to the Oklahoma Senate for a debate and a vote.

Bud Break at Grape Ranch This Weekend

The Grape Ranch in Okemah is hosting their Fourth Annual Bud Break Festival April 19, 2008.

Upcoming Live Music Scheduled at Grape Ranch:

4-19-2008 "Bud Break" Party

1pm-4pm Franklin Twins
4pm-7pm Clifton Johnson
7pm-10pm Ms. Behavin

4-20-2008 Susan Herndon

4-26-2008 Clifton Johnson

4-27-2008 Don Morris and Monica Taylor

http://www.graperanch.com/

Bartlesville Spring Wine Festival 2008

Saturday April 26th 11am to 6 pm at the LaQuinta Inn

At the 2008 Bartlesville Spring Wine Festival you can taste Oklahoma wines from: Blue Coyote Winery, Cabin Creek, Oak Hills AND Summerside Winery. Cost: $10.00 per person and Designated Drivers will be admitted at NO Charge.

All of these wineries are located a short drive from Bartlesville in NE Oklahoma and they are all family owned Oklahoma Wineries. Bring all your friends and a designated driver. Wines for sampling and purchase: Live music by Kristin Cameron & Cody Walker, great foods to enhance your wine tasting experience will be for sale by one of Bartlesville's favorite restaraunts.

Your hosts will be the Grand Wine Country wineries and the Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce.

Chocolate Festival with Oklahoma Wines Sat. April 5

Nuyaka Creek Winery Pine Tree
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

Urby -- the Amazing Chocolate Festival
Sat. April 5, 2008 at the Cherokee Resort from 7-10 pm.

Ready for an an evening of pure indulgence? Nuyaka Creek Winery will be pouring a couple wines at The Amazing Chocolate Festival.
Tickets can be purchased at Oklahomatickets.com or at the door.
$25.00 per person.

Other participating restaurants and beverage companies include: Anne's Bakery, El Rey, Tsunami, Lucky's, Godiva, Nouveau Chocolates, KoKoa, Whole Foods, Choc Brewing, Lemp Brewing, Oakhills Winery, Cabin Creek Winery and many more.

Door Prizes are trips to Las Vegas, chocolate gift baskets, gym memberships, a night at the Hotel Ambassador and much more. Dessert samplings from Tulsa's finest eateries. A chocolate and dessert competition, a dessert drink competition and a beer, wine, and spirits pairing. Urban Tulsa is putting it on and all proceeds benefit the Tulsa Girls Art School Project.

Make plans right away to attend Tulsa Weekly's Urby and the Amazing Chocolate Festival.

Technorati tags: Tulsa Events Chocolate

Singing Contest at Tidal School Winery April 26

Third Annual Tidal Idol
April 26th, 2008 / 6pm - 9pm

Brush up on your singing skill and win $$$!!

Back again with all the excitement that only 'Idol' can generate - the Third Annual Tidal Idol that is!! First place winner will receive $100; second place $50; third place $25 and the People's Choice receives a bottle of wine!

Hors d'oeuvres are furnished by Robert's Catering. The admission price is only $10

This event, by reservation only, promises to be a sell out --- another fun evening at Tidal School Winery!!


Technorati tags: Oklahoma Oklahoma Wine

Spring Crop of Oklahoma Winery Stories

Welcome to Oklahoma!
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

Spring has finally sprung in Oklahoma! It is time get outside and taste the outdoor lifestyle. I am extremely sick of sitting in the house and ready to brave the risks of rain and tornados and attempt to soak up some sun. Thankfully, the Spring winefest season is soon to be underway and the water will soon be warm enough to kayak some new waters!

The Pauls Valley Daily Democrat did an interesting article with some great details about on one of Oklahoma's newer wineries: Valley Vineyards and Winery (no website to my knowledge). To read the full article just click the link in the quote below. If you haven't done it already, stop by Valley Vineyards and welcome them to the Oklahoma Wine Industry...tell 'em the Oklahoma Wine News Blog sent you!

According to the Oklahoma Grape Growers and Wine Makers Association, small wineries are important to rural economies. They generate capital investment, create jobs, spur tourism and economic development, advance farmland protection and discourage urban sprawl.

A typical new family winery will provide regular employment for five to ten people, and will have annual sales of $200,000 to $1.5 million, the association reports. -- OGGWMA quoted by Jeff Shultz in the Pauls Valley Daily Democrat.

A more recent article in The Sun mentions Valley Vineyards as well as longtime Oklahoma favorite Canadian River Vineyards. The article concludes with some info about another Oklahoma winery newcomer: Legends Vineyard and Winery of Lindsay.

Spring is the best time of year to get out and see what wonderful new things have burst from our fertile Oklahoma soils. See you in the vineyards!

PS. I changed my blog template today to correct some technical issues, I hope it didn't cause anyone any problems.

Technorati tags: Oklahoma Oklahoma Wine

Local Wineries at Cherry Street Farmers Market

Oklahoma Wineries Sign-up Now!

Cherry Street Farmers’ Market & Cherry Street Farmers' Market at Brookside are now accepting applications for vendors at both the Saturday (Cherry Street) and Wednesday (Brookside) Farmers’ Markets in Tulsa. We have received confirmation from the ABLE Commission that wineries may now sell as regular vendors at farmers’ markets (not just at special events).

Our 2008 Market Guidelines state, in part, that 'Products must be 100% Oklahoma-grown or raised and a grower must grow at least 70% of their products. They are authorized to purchase 30% of their total volume of goods sold per market day of their products from an Oklahoma U-pick farm.'

Vendors who feel they may qualify may request the full set of Market Guidelines by emailing: Info@CherryStreetFarmersMarket.com Questions may be directed to that address as well.

The Cherry Street Farmers’ Market is an established market beginning its 11th year of operation.

The Saturday Market season is April 12 – October 4.

The Wednesday Market is open May 7 – October 22. A vendor may choose to sell weekly or just occasionally.

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Wine Events Tulsa Events Local Food

Rebirth of the Small Family Farm: A Handbook for Starting a Successful Organic Farm Based on the Community Supported Agriculture Concept

Taste Sailing Horse Wines in Tulsa Mar 15-16

Libby's Tulsa - Grand Opening Fair!

When: March 15-16 (Sat/Sun, 10am-7pm)

Where: 1341 E. 41st (41st & Peoria, next to Wild Oats), Tulsa Brookside district

Rick's wife, Deborah Gibbens announces the expansion her Libby's ladies apparel business into the Tulsa market. Her new Tulsa boutique will be located next door to Wild Oats (aka Whole Foods) at the NE corner of south 41st and Peoria in the trendy Brookside area. The Brookside district boasts a number of well established boutiques, night spots and healthy lifestyle stores (read more). Libby's new presence will complement a Brookside with a flamboyant fashion influence. Libby's in Brookside will open its doors on March 15-16 showcasing Spring fashions (click here to see some examples).

Of course, Sailing Horse Winery will be on hand March 15th-16th to conduct wine tastings at Libby's Spring Grand Opening Fair. (coinciding with various Spring Break schedules, this fair will continue each weekend throughout March)

April events:
19th & 26th (Sat) 8-noon, 'Buy fresh, buy Local' at Muskogee Farmers Market, Muskogee Convention Center pavillion (on Okmulgee)

May events:
17th-18th (Sat/Sun) Italian Festival, McAlester Expo Center
17th-18th (Sat/Sun) 2nd Annual Bucket Run Sailing Regatta, Lake Eufaula (View from Gator's and Evergreen Marina)

2nd Annual Art In the Vineyard April 19

2008 Tidal School Winery Arts Event

April 19th, 2008 / 10am - 5pm

A festival of fine art, fine wine and fine food -- and this year,
fine music. If you missed this one last year, you are in for a
treat this year. This is a great show featuring Oklahoma artists
with something for everyone--paintings, drawings, etchings,
carvings, bronzes, jewelry. Food vendors, strategically located so
no one gets hungry while strolling through the art, will have a
variety of foods to please every palate. This is a great way to
spend Saturday. Show hours are 10 am until 5 pm.

Again this year, a portion of the proceeds from the show will be
benefiting the Little Rascals Animal Aide Foundation in Drumright,
Oklahoma. There will also be animals available for adoption that
day. This is a Free Event!

Reserve Your Tickets Today! http://www.tidalschool.com
1-866-258-1903

Oklahoma Wine Laws Bottle Up State Vineyards

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 and let us know what you think by leaving a comment!

Technorati tags: Oklahoma Free Trade Corporate Welfare

Vineyard Pruning Event in Tulsa Mar 15-16

An Early March Day Dripping with Spring
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

At the Whispering Vines Vineyard Pruning Event volunteers are invited to come help prune two acres of vineyards in Tulsa. This is a great way to get to know your local winery and learn the basics of creating your own Oklahoma wine grape vineyard.

In addition...there will be donuts.

On March 15 & 16, 2008, the grape pruning basics that volunteers will learn include:

• Learn where to cut the grape vines.

• Learn to remove old wood and why.

• Learn to root cuttings at home.

To find out more, go to www.whisperingvines.net, or riesenvineyards@netzero.com or call: 918-231-7928.

You can learn a great deal from reading wine grape growing books, but nothing beats real hands-on training events like these!

2008 Colony Cove Wine Festival June 21

Enjoy Grand Lake and Oklahoma wines at the Colony Cove Wine Festival. Located in Ketchum Cove between Colony Cove and Hammerhead Marina.

Oklahoma Wineries, Food and Fun at this wine event on June 21, 2008 from 10am to 4pm. $10.00 per person.

On the grounds between Colony Cove and Hammerhead Marina
35005 Colony Cove Circle
Vinita, Okla 74301

Oklahoma Grape Vineyard Sale and Training

The Davis-Ham Vineyard is for sale you can see some pictures on the Lincoln County Grape Growers Site at: http://www.lincolncountygrapes.org/davis-ham.htm

Other Oklahoma Wine Industry News Events:

Free ABLE Workshop
Friday, March 28, 2008 at Redlands Community College
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Topics: Licensing, licensing renewal, price posting,
legal issues, inspections, audits

Please email number of attendees to:
Andrew Snyder (snydera@redlandscc.edu)

---

Free Wine Grape Pruning Instruction

Summserside Vineyards in Vinita, Oklahoma
Saturday, March 8 2008
Call for more information: 888-508-9463 (WINE)
wine@summersidevineyards.com

Welfare For Corporations in Oklahoma

Highway 266 Boat Ramp
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

KJRH recently covered the continueing efforts of Oklahoma lawmakers to protect liquor wholesalers from a free market.

Under the current system, McSpadden said, an Oklahoma wine maker who wants to sell a case of wine to a local liquor store must transport the wine to a liquor warehouse in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, where it has to sit for 24 hours before it can be trucked back to the liquor store in the winery's hometown. -- KJRH story - Liquor wholesalers keep wine bill bottled up in committee

The general arguement that a few distributors are easier to regulate than a diverse free market could apply to ANY product or industry. Real 'free trade' doesn't require complicated 'negotioations' between legislators, distributors and wine makers. It doesn't require 800 plus page NAFTA style pacts. It simply requires the willingness of our leaders to get OUT of the business of picking winners and buiding monopolies to fund their campaigns.

Anything less is corporate welfare.

The Fairchild Wine Vault in OKC

Fairchild Winery was the first winery to operate in Oklahoma territory. It's ruins today still stand as a model of Oklahoma's willingness to shoot itself in the foot economically.

Edward B. Fairchild, an Englishman who arrived during the land run of 1889, built this 14 foot-by-41-foot stone vault. Prohibition of alcohol in the new state prompted Fairchild to sell his property in 1907.

The vault is currently vacant.

Sommelier Course in Tulsa Begins April 1

Fleming's Restaurant in Tulsa's Utica Square is offering an introductory sommelier course in 2008.

The course cost is $495 and the class will run from 8-5 April 1 and 2, 2008 at Fleming's Restaurant in Utica Square.

It will be taught be 3 Master Sommeliers and will include a blind taste of 22 wines over 2 days. The sommelier course will also cover the whole world in regards to regions, laws, grapes etc. and also discuss food and wine pairing, spirits, wine service standards and more.

The Gardens Restaurant Opens in Stillwater

Woodland Park Vineyards Presents: The Gardens Restaurant
Grand Opening March 4, 2008


The Gardens at Woodland Park Vineyards and Winery is nestled among Vineyards and Woodlands at the Red Barn Tasting Room.

Enjoy fresh produce from our own gardens and local Farm Markets. Freshly baked breads, vegetables and fruits are highlights of our dishes. Our menu of Quiches, Soups, Salads, and fresh baked Breads reflect classic cuisine's of Italy and American Heirloom dishes. Join us for Lunch or an afternoon respite. Serving wines and specialty teas to accompany your meal.

Open Wed-Sat 11am to 6pm,
Sun 2pm to 5pm

For more information, please visit our website:
http://www.woodlandparkvineyards.com/
or call 405 743 2442.

BBQ and Blues at Tidal School Winery March 8

Earl Clark at Tidal School Winery
Saturday March 8th, 2008 / 6pm - 9pm

With the great Earl Clark and his band providing non-stop musical
entertainment for the evening, this is always a great time at the
winery! Plus, Tidal School just bottled three new all-Oklahoma wines!

This year Big Rob's BBQ will be providing four different meats
including ribs, pulled pork, bbq chicken and smoked sausage. To
compliment this array of smoked meats, guests will also enjoy
southwest corn, coleslaw, twice baked potatoes (yum!), and peach
cobbler. Come early for your free tour and tastings and then sit
back and relax with your favorite wine and fabulous food. Or get up
and dance the night away - either way, this is a great way to spend
a cold March evening in Oklahoma. Maybe even the best!

Book your tickets early - this event has sold out in the past.

Ticket price: $29.95
Reserve Your Tickets Today!
1-866-258-1903
http://www.tidalschool.com/


Oklahoma Wine Events Drumright Blues

Support Free Trade for Oklahoma Wine

Boat Wake
Originally uploaded by FreeWine

SJR29 would allow the people of Oklahoma to vote this Fall to give Oklahoma Wineries the right of self distribution of their wines to Oklahoma Liquor Stores and Resturants.

To grow the Oklahoma Wine Industry, Agratourism, Oklahoma Rural Economy, and to bring Tax Dollars into the State... we need this bill SJR29. The Texas Wine Industry is a billion dollar a year business. Oklahoma winemakers believe that we can do that here, if they are just given the ability to do business!

Support Free Trade for Oklahoma

Please call all these members of the House of Representatives Rules Committe today or in the morning of 2-20-2008. Ask them to support bill SJR29 in their Rules Committe vote tomarrow, 2-20-2008.

RULES COMMITTEE

Shane Jett, Chairman, Tecumseh, District 27, 405-557-7349

Bill Nations, Vice Chairman, Norman, District 44, 405-577-7323

James Covey, Custer City, District 57, 405-557-7325

Joe Dorman, Rush Springs, District 65, 405-577-7305

Rob Johnson, Kingfisher, District 59, 405-577-7407

Tad Jones, Claremore, District 9, 405-577-7380

Ryan Kiesel, Seminole, District 28, 405-577-7372

Greg Piatt, Ardmore, District 48, 405-577-7326

Trebor Worthen, Oklahoma City, District 87, 405-577-7335

To find your Representative go to:

okhouse.gov - House Membership - Find Your Representative - Legislator Search for Oklahoma - Your Address - Submit.


Oklahoma Wine

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