Tulsa Wine and Roses Event October 13

Photo_041506_027,
originally uploaded by belldl.

An Evening of Wine & Roses- Tulsa Garden Center

Imagine superb wines and special friends; sumptuous fare in a relaxed garden setting; fragrant roses in full bloom and a cool autumn sunset. Yes, it’s time for the eagerly anticipated annual Tulsa tradition – An Evening of Wine and Roses, a wonderful event with the perfect venue. Looking at their wine list, it looks like Tidal School Vineyards will be the only Oklahoma winery attending.

Tulsa Municipal Rose Garden will be the setting for this magical autumn evening on October 13, 2006, from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Guests will have the opportunity to sample wines from around the world complemented by sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and desserts while enjoying a beautiful sunset and the delightful fragrance of the roses. Tickets for the Garden Tasting are $60 per person or $50 for Tulsa Garden Center members. This popular event has limited reservations.

Prior to the garden tasting a private Sponsor Tasting will be held in the Snedden Mansion, home of the Tulsa Garden Center from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Exceptional wines from a variety of vineyards and heavy hors d’oeuvres with desserts will be served. Sponsor Tasting tickets are $125 per person or $900 for a table of 8 which also includes reserved seating and admission to the Garden Tasting. Reservations are limited.

Reservations are required for this event. Attendees to both events must be 21 years or older. Proof of age will be required at admittance. This event benefits the general operating fund at the Tulsa Garden Center. For reservations and more information call Tulsa Garden Center at 746-5125 or visit their website at www.tulsagardencenter.com

Technorati Tags: Wine, Tulsa Garden Center, Wine Tasting, Tulsa.

Oklahoma Winery Events in September

There are loads of Oklahoma wine events to choose from in the next couple weeks.

Make sure you get out and attend a few of these events. With the current efforts by liquor wholesalers to kill our local wine industry, Oklahoma's winemakers and their families need your support now more than ever!

Greenfield Vineyards Fall Festival September 23

BBQ & Live Music at Drumright Winery Sept. 30

Canadian River Winery Festival Sept. 30

Green Country Wine Festival in Haskell Sept. 30

Tres Suenos Nouveau Festival Sept. 30

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Wine, Oklahoma Wineries, Oklahoma Agri-business, Festivals

Jazz and Oklahoma Wines in Chandler Saturday

Check out the Taste Oklahoma Blog for new details on the Greenfield Vineyard Fall Festival scheduled for this weekend! With cool jazz acts and professionally catered Oklahoma cuisine, this Chandler, Oklahoma event looks like a sure fire favorite!

http://www.greenfieldvineyard.com/harvest.htm

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Winery Event, Chandler, Oklahoma Festivals, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Liquor Wholesalers Fight Against Voters

Taste the Wine,
originally uploaded by FreeWine.

Fearing that California mega-producers like Gallo might be crushed by competition from tiny family wineries in Oklahoma, Jarboe Sales Company, Action Wholesale Liquors and Central Liquor are going to court! These three Oklahoma-based liquor wholesalers are challenging the law that allows state winemakers to sell their wares directly to liquor stores and restaurants, a provision overwhelmingly approved by state voters in 2000. In fact, more Oklahoma folks voted in favor of SQ 688 than voted for George Bush in 2000.

Apparently, fair competition is now important to them...as long as it doesn't put their monopoly at risk.

For the last seven years, U.S. liquor wholesalers have ignored Oklahoma's wineries, hoping that they would 'die on the vine'. Their lawsuit contends that the 2000 Oklahoma wine law is unconstitutional because it discriminates against out-of-state winemakers, who still must rely on wholesalers to distribute their wine (as if they would be driving wine to Oklahoma one case of Thunderbird at a time). State officials maintain the Oklahoma law is valid.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot began to hear arguments in the case Monday at the University of Oklahoma Law School. Oklahoma's family winemakers are not a party to the lawsuit, however they do have a large stake in the outcome.

Gary Butler, president of the Oklahoma Grape Growers and Wine Makers Association, said the state's nascent wine industry would be crippled if the wholesalers' lawsuit is successful.

Butler said State Question 688, which allowed Oklahoma wineries to sell their wine outside their on-site tasting rooms, was a boon to the industry. There were only three Oklahoma wineries in 2000. Butler said he expects there to be 40 licensed wineries by the end of the year. Visitors to our winery blog may have noticed the growing list of Oklahoma winery websites we link to. A few are even kind enough to link back to us!

The trickle down effect of the boom in new Oklahoma winery openings has brought added profits to a long list of other Oklahoma businesses like: web designers, artists, musicians, printers, signmakers, bottle manufacturers, farm supply businesses, realtors, landscapers, tour guides and much more.

The wholesale liquor distributors are fighting to ensure that the only alcohol related jobs that survive in Oklahoma are that of liquor store clerk and truck driver.

Bluegrass Gospel Show at Natura Winery Sept. 23

Free Bluegrass Gospel Show by OkXpress - September 23rd

Join Natura Winery on Saturday, September 23rd for a wonderful new experience, a gospel show at the winery!

Doors open at 6pm for a pre-show dinner that includes: BBQ beef sandwich, chips, soda and a pickle spear. The meal is $5.50 per person and is served on a first come - first served basis. Homemade ice cream will be available for dessert. No reservations are being taken, so if you want a meal get there early. When it is gone, it is gone!

The gospel show will start at 7pm and end around 9pm. This is a free show, with donation boxes set up for grace giving that will be donated to the Blue Star Mothers of Oklahoma, Chapter 10.

Blue Star Mothers work hard each and every day putting together care packages that are sent to our Military men and women. Chapter 10 is located in the Mounds area, but that doesn't mean that they only send packages to the men and women from their area, they send packages to anyone and everyone! Right now, they are really striving to create boxes for our injured military personnel in the German hospitals. Many of our injured military arrive at these hospitals with nothing, not even the clothes on their bodies! If you have a friend or family member overseas, please be sure to inform the Blue Star Mothers so they can send a care package to them.

Mark your calendars as you won't want to miss this wonderful event, and the opportunity to assist a wonderful organization! And as always, you will be able to purchase a bottle of your favorite wine to enjoy during this event.

Nuyaka Wine Festival Featured on Fox23 News

Memories (View Larger),
originally uploaded by delgaudm.

Guess who was on Fox23 News this week? None other than, my sainted mother... now known as Nuyaka Creek Winery Boss and TV Star!

The Fox morning news folks stopped by to talk about the Oklahoma wine business and the Fall Wine festival this weekend. Here's a link to the video:
http://www.fox23.com/mediacenter/?videoId=16596@video.fox23.com&rss=84

For more information on the Oklahoma Wine Festival this weekend, stop by Nuyaka Creek's website:
Nuyak Creek Winery WineFest

Kids, coolers, pets and all are welcome, my wife Dianne and I will be at the tasting tent and mom will be in the house selling wine. Hope to see you this Saturday!

Local Winery Offers Ladies Night Out

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originally uploaded by FreeWine.

Girls Night Out Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006

Saturday, October 14th from 6pm-9pm head out to the winery in Drumright, OK for their Second Girl's Night Out at Tidal School Winery.

• Relax in a ladies-only environment


• Enjoy the live music performance of : Landslide. featuring their soft acoustic styling.


• Savor delectable hours doerves


• Taste our spectacular line of fine wines.


• Massages available.

Visit Tidal School Winery's Events Page for more details and tickets!

Uncommon Oklahoma Grape Pests Include...Kangaroo?

Red Kangaroo,
originally uploaded by PeaceablePrimateSanctuary.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A kangaroo who escaped from its owner's property in rural northwest Oklahoma City was safely corralled by three Oklahoma County Sheriff's deputies.

Authorities received a 911 call about the escaped animal Saturday morning, spokesman Mark Myers said. The man who made the call told the dispatcher about seeing the kangaroo and said that he was sane and not drunk.

"This was definitely one of our more unusual calls," Myers said.

Sure enough, deputies found the kangaroo jumping down a road and eating grapes from nearby farms. Using their vehicles, they guided the animal back to its owner's property, Myers said.

The kangaroo's owner also owns other exotic animals, Myers said.

Legends Winery in Lindsay Now Open

Lindsay.,
originally uploaded by saxman78.

I recently got an email from Bob Sirpless, the winemaker at Legends Winery in Lindsay Oklahoma.

The Grand Opening for Legends Winery is currently scheduled for this fall, but they are now open for visits on Fridays and Saturdays from Noon until 9pm and Sundays from Noon until 5pm. They have been working hard over there to create a wonderful tasting room as well as some great Oklahoma wines.

http://legendswinery.com

Phone: (405) 329-2275

Wine News Nominated for Okie Blog Award

2006 Okie Award,
originally uploaded by redneckmama1.

Some wonderful Oklahoma blogger out there has nominated Oklahoma Wine News for the 2006 Okie Blog Awards. Whoever you are, I thank you.

It is, of course a very humbling honor to have your efforts recognized by your peers. With so many great Oklahoma bloggers out there, the only reason my blog could hope to get a mention is likely due to being in a pretty obscure category...the Commercial Blog.

Oklahoma Wine News was nominated in the Commercial Blog category. I think that is pretty appropriate. Unlike most blogs, Oklahoma Wine News is not here to detail my personal misadventures or demonstrate literary talent, political acumen or anything else about me. We just hope to get the word out about the exciting new wine industry that is blossoming in Oklahoma.

Because of the reasons listed above, some have said that Oklahoma Wine News isn't a blog at all. That is why I am so grateful for being nominated by another blogger.

Now I just have to get a few more bloggers to put in a vote for Oklahoma Wine News.

If you are an Okie Blogger interested in voting, here is the link 2006 Okie Blog Awards Voting and here are the details:

Only Okie bloggers with active Okie blogs at the start of nominations are eligible to vote.

'Active' is defined as having at least one blog post between June 16 and Aug. 14, 2006.

An "Okie blog" is defined as having at least one active blog author residing within the state of Oklahoma.

A blogger cannot vote for his or her own blog.

A blogger can only vote for one blog per category.

The voting period ends on Sept. 20, 2006.

Vote early and vote often Y'all!

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Blog, Blogger, Oklahoma Bloggers, Oklahoma

Canadian River Winery Festival Sept. 30

Unique Wine Rack,
originally uploaded by FreeWine.

Canadian River Winery Festival
Saturday September 30, 2006 / 10am - Close

Saturday September 30, 2006 will be the date for this year's Canadian River Winery Festival and Car Show.

Listen to live music while enjoying our fine wines. Stomp grapes with your friends or tour our winery and see how Oklahoma wine is made, there will be something for everyone!

• Free Wine Tasting


• Winery Tours


• Grape Stomp


• Live Music


• Craft and Food Vendors


• Antique Car Show

Please call or email the winery for more information.
Email: CRWinery@aol.com
Phone: (405) 872-5565.

Technorati Tags: Wine, Food and Drink, Wine Tasting, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Winery to Attend Both State Fairs

Summerside Winery will be in the Made-in-Oklahoma Building at the OKC State Fair (begins Sept. 14) AND in the Wine Garden at the Tulsa State Fair (begins Sept. 28).

Taste and buy these delicious wines made from Oklahoma Grown grapes:

• Merlot - grown at Willow Pond Vineyards/Slaughterville
• Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon - grown at Rushing Wind Vineyard (Oklahoma City) and Windmill Run Vineyard (Roosevelt)
• Cabernet Franc - estate grown at Summerside Vineyards in Ketchum
• Route 66 Red - estate grown Cynthiana from Summerside Vineyards/Ketchum
• Pensacola Dam Red - estate grown Cynthiana from Summerside Vineyards/Ketchum
• Chambourcin - estate grown Cynthiana from Summerside Vineyards/Ketchum
• Riesling - grown at Windmill Run Vineyards (Roosevelt)

It sounds like every Oklahoman will get a Fair chance to try Oklahoma wine this year!

Excellent KOA Campground in Checotah, Oklahoma

Dylan At Checotah KOA,
originally uploaded by FreeWine.

If you ever find yourself traveling along I-40, let me reccomend an excellent place to stop and recharge your batteries. Dianne, Dylan and I spent a couple days here recently and it is a great little RV park.

The Checotah KOA campground offers tent camping, shady RV sites, a playground, a nature trail, barnyard zoo, pool and restaurant AND this KOA has Dagger brand kayaks! Rent one for each member of the family and spend a few peaceful hours paddling on Lake Eufaula or other nearby paddling spots.

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Travel, Checotah, Oklahoma Campsites, KOA

David Sedaris Live in Tulsa October 18

David Sedaris,
originally uploaded by chocolatebuttah.

An Evening with David Sedaris

8pm on Wednesday October 18, 2006
Tulsa Performing Arts Center - Chapman Music Hall

This october the Tulsa PAC will host David Sedaris. David Sedaris is the author of the bestsellers Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice, as well as collections of personal essays, Naked and Me Talk Pretty One Day, both of which became immediate bestsellers. His essays appear regularly in Esquire and The New Yorker. You may also know his work from 'This American Life' on National Public Radio.

To my knowledge there won't be any Oklahoma wines there, I just think he is very funny!
Here's a tip, never buy the book version of a David Sedaris work...wait for the audio version read by the author. There is no comparison, he is an amazing performer of the essays he writes.

Tickets Available Online http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=2762&pid=5812179

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Comedy, Tulsa, Oklahoma Events, Tulsa PAC