8/30/2007

Legends UNCORKED Wine and Music Festival Sept 29, 2007


Robbers Cave Trailhead
Originally uploaded by FreeWine
Legends UNCORKED! will be a Wine and Music Festival held on September 29, 2007 at Legends Vineyard & Winery located at 12955 Meridian in Lindsay, Oklahoma.

The one-day Festival will start at noon and end at midnight. The music will consist of DJ, several local talents: Jeremy Johnson & The Lonesome Few, Justin Fox & Outlaw Country, Camille Harp and The Red Dirt Rangers. There will be plenty of food, soft drinks, beer and wine for sale at the winery. A VIP area with tables and chairs will be available for VIP attendees and band members.

On Friday, September 28, 2007, the winery will host a VIP party with BBQ meal, wine and live music from 7-9pm for all sponsors. Saturday festival VIP tickets are $30 advance and $35 at the gate. General Admission tickets are $20 advance and $25 at the gate. So, bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the great music and wine.

Because winery seating is limited, VIP tickets must be purchased at the winery.

Advance General admission tickets may be purchased at the following locations:

LINDSAY
Legends Vineyard & Winery
12955 Meridian

Jakes Short Stop
206 E Cherokee St.
405-756-8249

Teran’s/Lindsay Travel Plaza
920 W Cherokee St.
405-756-1673

DUNCAN
Le Demoiselle at Ooh La La
580-251-9966

NORMAN
Wells Automotive
1901 W Lindsey St
405-321-6713

OK Fast Lube
2201 W. Lindsey
405-321-6869

CHICKASHA
Moddrell’s Honda
1427 S. 4th St.
405-224-6113


Legends Vineyard & Winery is owned and operated by Debbie and Bob Sirpless. The winery opened in July of 2006 and is currently offering 12 wines.

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8/29/2007

Slaughterville Grape and Wine Festival Sept. 29, 2007

The fourth annual Slaughterville Grape and Wine Festival will be Sept. 29 at the Slaughterville Curve on US Highway 77.

The festival will begin at 10 a.m. with entertainment throughout the day. There will be grape juice tasting at the festival featuring Redland Juice Company and wine tasting at Canadian River Winery, eats and treats at Big Belly and U-Betcha, a grape stomp, an auto show, food and crafts booths and other events.

The Slaughterville Curve is on Highway 77, five miles north of Lexington and five miles south of Noble.

The festival will feature music by the John Arnold Band and Cross Wind as well as magical entertainment by Sonji the Clown and Tommy Rousey Karaoke. KBLP 105.1 FM 'Your Kind of Country' will be at the festival broadcasting 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Those who want to set up craft or food booths may call Kathy Bates of the Slaughterville Merchants’ Association at 219-9600.

This year’s host businesses include: Canadian River Winery, Redland Juice Company, Big Belly Restaurant, U-Betcha Dollar Store, Slaughterville Tire Store, George’s Apiary and the Town of Slaughterville. This year’s festival has been designated as an Oklahoma Centennial Event.

8/28/2007

Cherry Street Market in Tulsa Seeks Wineries

The Cherry Street Farmers' Market in Tulsa had hoped to have a different Oklahoma winery do tastings at each of our markets in September--both the Wednesday market and the Saturday market (for a total of 9 wineries). Both are morning markets.

They have been unable to find any Oklahoma wineries willing or able to set up. Interested?

Contact Tina Lynn to express an interest & coordinate a date at: tmlynn48@cox.net

8/25/2007

Brunch at Territory Cellars Winery in Stroud, Oklahoma


Butterfly Nose
Originally uploaded by FreeWine
Territory Cellars is Gearing Up for the Gridiron!

Every Saturday beginning September 1 come visit the new Territory Cellars Winery and watch the games and enjoy food and wine specials!

First Sunday brunch from 11-2, September 2, October 7 and November 4. Reservations suggested for these specialty menu brunches. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, wonderful food and great music!

The tanks are full of 2007 harvest Oklahoma wine grapes and we want to share the winemaking arts with you. Territory Cellars winery is always open and most fall days you will find the winemaker here. You are always welcome in the winery to help, ask questions or just watch.

Special event tours and tastings are available. Meeting and special event arrangements can be made by calling (918) 968-2575.

Territory Cellars winery is located just ½ mile north of the Turner Turnpike on State Highway 99.

http://www.territorycellars.com/

8/23/2007

Oklahoma Winemakers Wanted at Epcot?

Mike, a popular Oklahoma blogger, has updated his investigation into why a California winery will be representing Oklahoma winemakers at the upcoming Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This is his second post on the subject for his OkieDoke blog. (Here's a link to the first post).

Thanks to his efforts Oklahoma wineries may get some answers to their questions on what can be done to remedy this situation that continues short-changing both Oklahoma and Epcot. I've also noticed that Mike isn't the only blogger watching this issue.

8/21/2007

Grape Growing Classes in OKC for 2007

Oklahoma Winemaking and Grape Growing Enthusiasts,

Learn the art and science of wine grape growing and start your own world-class vineyard right here in the Sooner State. Vineyard design, trellis and irrigation systems

Viticulture classes are available for credit at OSU-OKC.
Classes start August 22, are (Wed.) weekly 5:30-10pm; and, they can be audited.

They are also planning a educational tour/class of Northern Italy vineyards and wineries and students with prerequisites will be chosen first.

Viticulture Classes Flyer (1.67 MB PDF)

Viticulture Research

8/16/2007

Red Dirt Harvest Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Music & Wine Festival Labor Day Weekend
September 1st and 2nd, 2007
http://www.reddirtfestival.com/

Grape Ranch has teamed up with The Red Dirt Rangers to present The Red Dirt Harvest Festival at Grape Ranch. The Grape Ranch winery and vineyard is located six miles South of Okemah, Oklahoma about half way between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Many Oklahoma wineries host harvest festivals, but none are remotely like the event Grape Ranch hosts. Think of this as sort of an Oklahoma Wine Woodstock...three days of fun and music from a huge number of Oklahoma music acts with camping on site!

Tickets purchased in advance are for the entire weekend and cost $30. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $20 a day or $40 for the weekend or in advance at the Grape Ranch Winery, online at TicketWeb.com or at Get The Point (SW Corner Britton & North Penn) in OKC.

Free camping is available under any of the over 100 pecan trees on the bottom land adjacent to the river. Campground opens Friday morning and closes at Monday 7pm. The campsites are primitive with no electrical hookups. RVs and quiet generators are welcomed. Please feel free to bring a blanket or reasonably size lawn chair. Please, no umbrellas.

Food vendors will be available Friday 6pm-10pm, Sat 8am-10pm ,Sunday 8am-10pm and Monday 8am -11am (for Breakfast). Beer, Ice and drinking water available for purchase on premise.


Special Friday Night Friday Aug. 31, 2007

100 Years of Oklahoma Singer/Songwriting

The Red Dirt Rangers (Listen to some samples from their of their great albums like: Oklahoma Territory or their latest work Ranger Motel), Mike McClure, Randy Crouch, Tom Skinner, Bob Childers, Scott Evans, Don Morris, Susan Herndon, Greg Jacobs and whomever else might show up are scheduled for a special performance Friday evening at 8pm. Look forward to some special jams by all of the above in honoring Oklahoma Singer Songwriters over the last 100 years. This is a special performance for holders of Red Dirt Harvest Festival weekend passes.

Campers and guests arriving on Friday will need a pass for the entire weekend ($30 in advance or $40 at the gate). There are no day passes available on Friday evening.

This event is a fantastic opportunity to experience the Oklahoma Music scene, after this Oklahoma Winery Woodstock you will be an expert! More information at: The Red Dirt Harvest Festival website. Tell them the Oklahoma Wine News blog sent you.

8/14/2007

Catch the Crush VI Harvest Party Aug 25

Catch the Crush VI Harvest Party

Place: Summerside Vineyards & Winery
Date: Saturday August 25, 2007 from 9am - 2pm
City: Vinita, Oklahoma


Continental breakfast, tour, enjoy life of a grape picker at the vineyard (just for fun), wonderful gourmet brunch, grape stomping, enjoy music of Kenny Babb.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED / $45 per person + tax
1-888-508-9463

Schedule

9:00am - Meet and Greet at the winery in Vinita (I-44, exit 289 – on Route 66 across from the turnpike gate) 918-256-3000

Continental Breakfast:
Banana nut bread baked fresh in the Grapevine Restaurant, served with raspberry cream cheese, grape juice and coffee

9:30am - Private winery tour with the winemaker

10:15ish - The options are the Route 66 vineyard or the vineyard in Ketchum (15 minutes). You’ll be able to take a look, up close and personal, at four varieties of grape vines including: Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Vignoles and Cynthiana (Please note that due to the 2007 Easter freeze, the harvest yield is very low) Picking for fun – we’ll show you how!

11:15ish - Caravan back to the winery

11:30ish - Live music by Kenny Babb. Toast to you, to the Big Kahuna, and to the 2007 Harvest

Brunch: Fresh fruit, bacon, sausage, ham, herbed potatoes, scrambled eggs, chicken with chardonnay sauce, vegetable and dip tray,spring salad with feta, and fresh artisan breads, plus iced tea and water.

12: 45ish - Grape Stomping (if possible) followed by dessert.

Dress cool and casual, bring suitable shoes for the vineyard (for instance: tennis shoes instead of flip flops). Don’t forget your camera!

8/13/2007

New Website for Parsons Vineyard and Winery


Camping Chick
Originally uploaded by FreeWine
The Parsons Vineyard and Winery near Shawnee, Oklahoma is one of our state's newest tasting rooms. You can now find much more information about their winery and vineyard on their new website.

White Wines: Seyval Blanc , Vignoles, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris

Red Wines: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Villard Noir, Pinot Noir

Stop by and give their Shawnee Oklahoma-produced Wine a try and while you are there, let them know you read about them in the Oklahoma Wine News Blog.

Who knows, maybe they will give us a link!

Parsons Vineyard & Winery
15401 Gaddy Road
Shawnee, Ok. 74801

405-395-9178 or 878-6588
Tasting Room Hours: 1 PM till 6 PM
Closed Sundays

http://www.ParsonsVineyardAndWinery.com

8/08/2007

Gaucho Brazilian Feast at Vinita Winery August 18

Gaucho Brazilian Feast Twilight Dinner at Summerside Winery
Sat., August 18, 2007 at 6:30pm reservations required 1-888-508-9463

All-Inclusive Food and Wine for $60.00 per person
(advance reservations... limited to 25 guests)

Starters: Empanadas with Dipping Sauces, Plantain and Yucca Fritters,
Fresh Salsas and Mango Lime Shrimp Skewers.

Entree: Assorted Grilled and Braised Meats. Beef, Chicken &
Lamb. Fresh Jijcima and Orange Salad, Grilled Fruit and Brazilian
Black Beans and Rice.

Dessert: Coconut and Pinneapple Creme Cake with Cardamon

http://www.summersidevineyards.com/

When Will Oklahoma Values Include Valuing Oklahomans?


Riverside Sunset
Originally uploaded by FreeWine
For seven years, Oklahoma winemakers have enjoyed self distribution, and the fledgling industry grew from two wineries to 45 licensed wineries. This is according to Marta Patton, deputy director of the ABLE Commission, the agency that regulates Oklahoma's liquor laws.

Mike from the OkieDoke blog asked me today, why Oklahoma winemakers will be represented by a California winemaker at the upcoming Epcot Food & Wine event. Why couldn't the opportunity to market to 1.5 million visitors go to Oklahoma winemakers?

The problem goes deeper than Natalie Shirley's recent public statement that Oklahoma winemakers could not produce the wine quickly enough. (Although, I do have to wonder if that statement wasn't libel.) Since Oklahoma's wine industry is so young, they cannot afford to defend themselves from officials that choose to be the attack dogs for big out-of-state, business interests.

Listen to our ABLE folks teaching on the ins and outs of suppy and demand economics... after they were leaned on to force all Oklahoma wineries to pay a pound of flesh to the parasitic corporations they serve.

"It's a trade off. It costs them. They make probably less for their wine because there's a markup when it goes through the (wholesaler), but if someone wants it, they're willing to pay for it. That's supply and demand."

Much like the wine they grow, Patton said winemakers are a "resilient” group of people and will survive.

"I know this is a setback for them in their minds, but I also know the system is set up to help them," -- Full NewsOK.com Article


Wow! I wonder how that statement made Oklahoma's struggling winemakers feel? Maybe they were happy to learn that forcing them to use high priced middlemen was to 'help them' and the problem was only 'in their minds'.

Oklahoma's 3-Tier system was NOT setup to help Oklahoma winemakers, consumers or our economy. The system was setup so that big business could control the market through the wholesale purchase of politicians and their cronies. Since it's birth, after the repeal of prohibition, the 3-Tier System has delivered our state nothing but higher alcoholism rates, spouse abuse, drunk driving...you name it.

Much like our state Tourism Department, ABLE is much more interested in picking winners and cashing in... than the lofty goals they claim. Luckily for them, bureaucrats don't have to be 'resilient' to survive...they just have to serve their masters as instructed.

We have met the enemy... and they are us!

8/06/2007

Oklahoma Wine Industry in Wines and Vines News

Check out an informative article mentioning several Oklahoma winemakers in the Wines & Vines online version.
Oklahoma's Winery Rush
Wineries multiply despite climatic and legal challenges by Jeff Siegel.

Tourism Official Cuts Oklahoma Wineries Out of Epcot

Your Tax Dollars At Work

At the Epcot Food & Wine Festival an estimated 1.5 million people will get a taste of Oklahoma...but NOT Oklahoma Wines.

At a cost of over $500 ,000 in Oklahoma State Taxpayer's money, some Oklahoma businesses will enjoy being the first state to be invited by the Walt Disney World Resort to showcase its cuisine and heritage at a display area during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. This once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity has produced a great deal of excitement in Sooner country.

However, in a year where our local government has made every effort to destroy our local wine industry, readers should not be surprised to learn of the most recent government-sponsored blow to Oklahoma's family winemakers.

You can read how our highly compensated government tourism promoters earn their money in the quote below from the Distant Creations blog:

Oklahomas wineries can't produce enough wine in such a short time for the visitors expected, Commerce and Tourism Secretary Natalie Shirley said. Dick Sias, an Oklahoman and owner of Joullian Vineyards of Carmel Valley, Calif., will provide wine that will be given away or sold at Oklahomas display, called the Oklahoma Experience. -- Full Article in the Distant Creations Blog

Sadly, Oklahoma's ability to produce political patronage jobs can continue to support parasites that sell out our state at every opportunity. No doubt the effort to continue spreading the word about the lack of Oklahoma wines will require quite a few trips to Disney World at the expense of Oklahoma taxpayers.

Here is some fun: do a quick Google search on Natalie Shirley's name and see how long it takes you to find a quote she makes supporting Oklahoma wineries.

The idea that the dozens of Oklahoma wineries cannot supply a few thousand cases of wine to this event is absurd. I don't know where she got her information, but she obviously didn't try contacting Oklahoma's wineries or OGGWMA. Maybe she found Joullian Vineyards of Carmel Valley, Calif. better suited to supply this information.

Of course, our Governor seems impressed:

"Natalie Shirley has done a terrific job as Secretary of Commerce and Tourism, and I am confident she will be as exceptional leading the Commerce Department," the Governor said. "She will be able to hit the ground running and build on Oklahoma’s recent successes in economic development." -- Full Article Online at: Oklahoma Department of Commerce

It is expected to cost about $1.2 million to develop, staff and display Oklahoma's exhibit during the festival. Tough luck for actual Oklahoma winemakers, I hope the massive press release doesn't hurt you any worse than the missed opportunity.

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