Growing Grapes and Winery Escapes

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Another Bill That Will Hurt Small Wineries...

2009-06-11T07:49:00.000-07:00

Things are in play again!

Now the $1000 fee is less than the $2000 fee but for most small wineries this would be a big negative. The $1000 fee would be an additional barrier to entry for any startup winery.

Below you will find links to both the bill summary and the full draft (as of May 26, 2009). The bill has not been assigned a number yet but probably will be very soon – this is going to be a fast mover.

Summary of Discussion Draft of the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 – Committee on Energy and Commerce:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090526/fsea_summary.pdf

Full draft (116 pages):
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090526/fsea_draft.pdf

Oklahoma Grape Vine Sale and Wine Festival May 16

2009-05-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

This Saturday May 16, 2009 is the Nuyaka Creek Winery Spring Wine Festival. Since Nuyaka Creek only holds two of these events per year, you won't want to miss the action. In addition to the usuual wine tasting, vineyard tours, live music, etc., the Spring festival includes sales of young wine grape vines and elderberry plants.

Buying some low cost wine grape vines at your local winery saves you shipping costs and increases your chances of finding a wine grape cultivar that will produce well in your part of the country. For more information on the 2009 Spring WineFest at Nuyaka Creek visit their website at NuyakaCreek.com.

Grape Grower Product Deals

Oklahoma Frozen - Schools and Churches Close

2009-01-28T10:17:00.000-08:00

Two days of winter storms have coated Oklahoma with a sparkling layer of jewel-like ice. This morning, the sun has returned and it has created a breathtaking lightshow for those able to get out and have a look. I'll bet that you could find beautiful scenery in a million unexpected places around Oklahoma today. So grab your camera, waterproof gloves and some rubber boots...your landscape awaits!

Some less amusing terrain can be found on our Oklahoma roads. If you plan to drive out to go to church tonight, better call the church first. Churches, colleges and wineries in many parts of Oklahoma are closing their doors tonight due to icy road forecasts. If the bad weather has you desperate for options, check out Tasha's Top Ten Things To So During an Oklahoma Ice Storm.

While you are stuck at home surfing the web anyway, why not save an Oklahoma dog?
Check out this site for adopting Oklahoma shelter dogs.

Stableridge Vineyards & Tatanka Ranch Wine Weekend Get-Away

2008-10-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

StableRidge and Tatanka Ranch Wine Weekend Get-Away
January 30,2009 - February 27,2009 - March 20,2009

Kick back and relax at Tatanka Ranch for the weekend while Stableridge
Winery enhances your knowledge of wine.

Get-Away Weekend Includes:

Friday
Check in after 3:00 at Tatanka
6:30pm Tatanka’s Special Spaghetti Dinner
After Dinner enjoy Tatanka’s recreation room, hot tub or just settle in your
cabin with a DVD from our library

Saturday
9:00am Country Breakfast of Eggs, Sausage, Biscuits, Gravy, Juice and Coffee
10:00am Wine Sensory & Analysis
12:00pm Baked Potato Bar Lunch
12:30 – 1:30 Horseback Riding or ATV tour
2:00 – 5:00 Wine Pairing with foods at Stableridge
Creating your Signature Wine
(Transportation provided by Tatanka)
5:30 or 6:00 Fish or Steak Dinner, Baked Potato, Green Beans, Roll, and
our signature Sopapia Cheesecake
After Dinner Live Music

Sunday
9:00 Belgian Waffle Breakfast with Sausage, Juice and Coffee
10:00 Delivery of Signature Wine
CD of pictures from Weekend
11:00 Check out

Package Rates:
$500 Single
$650 Double
$816 Group of 3
$974 Group of 4

Click here for the printable brochure (pdf)
Call 918.968.2568 for more information

Oklahoma Wineries Win at the Toast of Taos

2008-07-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

The Toast of Taos art and wine festival is a wonderful place to taste a variety of wines from all around the country. They have wonderful foods & art displays as well as one of the most popular wine competitions in the area.

With competitors from around the country two Oklahoma wineries proudly brought home medals in a variety of categories.

Oak Hills Winery invites you to visit their tasting room and taste these award winning wines!

- Seyval Blanc - Silver
- Summer Harvest / Berry Blush - Bronze
- Traminette - Bronze

Deer Creek Vineyard in Edmond also received a silver for their fortified wine Trois Elsie.

You can find out more about the Toast of Taos Art & Wine festival on their website www.toastoftaos.com

Harvest Grapes for Your Next Fund-Raiser

2008-07-19T07:41:00.000-07:00

It’s almost harvest time at Stone Bluff Cellars and the winery is looking for individuals or groups to help pick grapes, according to Dee Selby, winery spokesman.

“This is a great opportunity for area non-profits or school booster clubs to earn money for their organization,” Selby said. “In the past, we’ve relied solely on volunteers or area FFA groups, but the job is too big for that now. This way, we can still help give back to the community, and it allows individuals who just want to put in a day’s work the opportunity for some one-time earning.”

Organizations or individuals that wish to take advantage of the fund-raising opportunity should call the winery at 918.482.5655 or email info@stonebluffcellars.com Additional information will be provided at that time.

The winery will need about 40 people for the white grape harvest in mid-August and about 75-80 people for the red grape harvest in mid-September, Selby said.

Each person picking will need to provide a photo ID (like a driver’s license) and a secondary proof of citizenship (birth certificate or social security card). The winery will give each picker a ticket for each full bin of grapes picked, and then pay $4 per bin to the organization or individual.

Contact Information:
Dee Selby
Stone Bluff Cellars
918.482.5655
Dee.selby@stonebluffcellars.com

Where not to buy juice concentrates

2008-07-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

This came to me from a friend in the Oklahoma wine industry. He wanted to share his story about the company Juice Products Unlimited of Chicago, IL represented by Barry Ripkin. They displayed some very poor judgment which caused him much stress, consider yourself warned...

I thought it might be useful information for others who have use for juice concentrates to know that Juice Products Unlimited of Chicago, IL represented by Barry Ripkin lost a shipment I had ordered the first week in July. When it didn't arrive as promised I called Barry Ripkin to let him know and he made arrangements for another shipment.

Because the lost shipment put us behind production schedule, I called to tell them we needed the juice immediately. They had determined (without calling me) that they couldn't deliver the product as fast as I wanted it and cancelled the order.

Rather than attempt to expedite our order or try to be helpful, they further delayed our production.

Since there is more than one supplier of juice concentrates I thought people would like to know of my experience before placing an order with a company whose customer service is, in my opinion, less than satisfactory.

Turner Falls in Davis, Oklahoma

2008-06-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

Oklahoma has many beautiful features, but the natural falls and swimming holes at Turner Falls have been drawing visitors for over 140 years. Located in the Arbuckle Mountains just outside of Davis, OK it was a short drive from our cabin so we decided to make it one of the first stops on our trip.

The park charges an entrance fee, a day pass is around $11, but if you bring some picnic supplies you can spend an entire day swimming, hiking or just sketching the falls. I recommend visiting the park on a weekday, we went on a Thursday afternoon and there were many grills, tables and shady places to sit readily available. I heard from the locals that the weekends are packed and that it is not quite as nice.

Because our cabin was too warm to stay in during the hottest part of the day, we went to Sulphur to bowl. The alley was very small with only 8 lanes, but the people were super friendly and the games were cheap. We bowled three games before we got hungry enough to eat at the local oriental restaurant. The food was pretty bad, bland and lifeless and the service was only slightly better.

We did find a diner down the road from our cabin that served some pretty groovy onion burgers. It was not the best I have had, but it was far from the worst! The establishment is not a diner, but a grill & bait store with small tables for eating outside or you can eat inside on the large 8 foot table and watch your food being made. It is the unlikely home to some pretty tasty burgers and right by the boat ramp, it could not be in a better place.

We were disappointed with the cabin we rented (Moonlight Bay Chalet), but we were happy with the location. Everything was close and the area has an abundance of attractions, I definitely recommend visiting the Davis / Sulphur area with the whole family.

Dianne M. Jones
OklahomaRoadTrips.com
6/12/2008

On the Route Cafe

2008-06-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

On our trip to the Spring River in Quapaw, OK Tom and I spotted this cute little Downtown café in Baxter Springs Kansas called Café on the Route. Upon entering I knew I was about to be surprised by this little café, I walked in expecting “The Great American Greasy Spoon”, but this was obviously very different.
Read all about it here www.vinebydesign.com/events.htm

OGGWMA Lists New Member Events!

2008-06-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

There are lots of festivals going on throughout Oklahoma and our wineries have been busy trying to attend as many as they can. This explains the drop-off in winery hosted festivals, but don't worry there are still some out there.

OklahomaWines.org lists member hosted events.

Another great source for information is Oklahoma Wine News, they have the most current list of Oklahoma Wineries , events, wine news, articals and cool stuff for sale too.

StableRidge Vineyardswill be at the following events:
http://www.stableridgevineyards.com/

Art of Barbeque - Tulsa
BBQ, Music & More
Friday July 11th / 6pm - 11pm
Saturday, July 12th /11am - 4pm

2008 Oklahoma City State Fair
September 11th - September 21st

2008 Tulsa State Fair
September 25th - October 5th

Art on Main in Jenks, OK
Saturday, October 11th
10am-6pm

It's A Great Time For Tasting Wine, Summer Wine Festivals

2008-06-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

Don't Miss The Drumright Wine Festival
Saturday, June 14th / 2 - 8pm

Music ** Art ** Food ** Free Parking ** Free Shuttle to Tidal School Winery

Enjoy Wine by the sample, glass or bottle -- FREE samples from 7 wineries!! Tidal School, Grape Ranch, Nuyaka Creek, Oak Hill, Plainview, StableRidge, Stone Bluff

Music all afternoon --
Burner & Eicher - Acoustic Blues, Jazz, Bluegrass
Russell Shelly & Beau Phillips - Red Dirt, Rock
MoTown Sound - Popular hit tunes of the 50's, 60's and 70's

Adult Tasters Age 21 and up -- $12 at the gate
Ages 12 - 20 and Non Tasters $5 at the gate
Children 11 and younger - FREE

For more information, contact the Drumright Chamber at 918-352-2204 or drumrightchamber@aol.com

Please, no pets or outside food/drink

Oak Hills Winery Fans!

Oak Hills Winery has a new website!
Here you will find a new design and event list! More features coming soon but check it out today and see where you can taste some awsome wines at a festival near you.
http://www.oakhillswinery.com

OSU-OKC's Canopy & Harvest Management Classes

2008-05-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

A friend sent this to me to share with everyone...Thanks Randy!

I am pleased to announce that OSU-OKC's Canopy & Harvest Management is being offered on Sunday this year (8:30-6pm), starting June 1st. We won't usually go until 6pm.

It is offered as a part of the third in a series of classes; so, if you haven't been growing for some time or don't meet the prerequisites you should take the fall (Thursday 5:30-10pm) and/or spring class (Tuesday 5:30-10pm, see below). You may also need, or want to audit the class.

I am also pleased to announce the Educational Tour of Northern Italy Vineyards & Wineries. There are a few reservation type details to be firmed up, but the itinerary is basically set. Students with the most credits have first choice, after that it is first come. If we have 3 people sign up by the end of May the prices are guaranteed for everyone.
Click here to download more information (Word document opens in a new window)

Viticulture – Canopy & Harvest Management; 3 credit hours, summer offering

Provides skills necessary for maintaining the vineyard from the point of pre-bloom through harvest. Emphasizes crop monitoring techniques, pruning, vine manipulation, techniques to determining vine health, pesticide scheduling, handling and application as well as irrigation and fertility management of the vineyard. Additional field experience with harvest management including equipment, processing and handling
Viticulture – Introduction, Site Selection, & Cold Protection; 3 credit hours, fall offering

Provides information about the viticulture history, geographic location where grapes are grown and climatic conditions necessary for viticulture production. Also provides information about clone, variety and rootstock selection. Field oriented experience in vineyard layout, including site selection and preparation, as well as, irrigation and frost protection systems.
Viticulture – Establishment & Propagation; 3 credit hours, spring offering

Designed to introduce students to morphological characteristics of the grape plant and the process of propagation during the dormant season through bud break. Field experience in the process of vineyard establishment, including trellising and training. Additional field experiences in advanced propagation techniques including vineyard nursery management. Provides students with the skills necessary to prune an established vineyard and emphasizes methods of crop adjustment for improvement of fruit quality

For enrollment in the class contact:
BROWN, Mary Ellen / (405)-945-3358

or

David GerkenAssociate ProfessorHorticulture ProgramOSU-Oklahoma CityJohn E. Kirkpatrick Horticulture Center400 N. Portland Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73107
(405) 945-3352 / gerkend@osuokc.edu

Great spring weather keeps Farmers’ Market busy

2008-05-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

Farmers markets are a great way to eat locally grown fresh produce and support your community. Muskogee has a large farmer's market with lots of Oklahoma foods and goodies

The Muskogee Farmers’ Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at Market Square, Fifth Street and Okmulgee Avenue.

Check back for more information on farmer's markets in your area!

StableRidge Vineyards Upcoming Events

2008-04-21T13:52:00.000-07:00

Friday May 2, 2008
Paseo Arts Festival
a.k.a. gallery
3001 Paseo, OKC, OK.

Friday June 6, 2008
Paseo Art Festival
a.k.a. gallery
3001 Paseo, OKC, OK.

Friday June 13, 2008
Northpark Mall Wine Tasting Festival & Art Walk
10:00 - 6:00
NW 122nd & North May, OKC

Saturday June 14, 2008
Drumright Wine Fest
2:00 - 8:00
Whitlock Park, corner of Lou Allard Drive & South Jones St.
Drumright, Oklahoma

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

2008-04-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Tom and I were invited to Carrabba’s Italian Grill to sample the cuisine and experience the atmosphere of this unique and charming restaurant chain. I had heard that the food was good, but I was surprised at the level of detail they had for every aspect of the meal.

Carrabba’s has an Italian Sangria that I was eager to try; it is a classic sangria made with Korbel, fresh fruits and their house wine, either Pinot Grigio (white) or Montepulciano (red). I mentioned that I had never had a white sangria before and the next thing I knew our waiter Donny had small sample of both on my table, at that point I knew Carrabba’s was something special! Click here for the full article

Upcoming Vineyard Instruction in Plains Texas

2008-04-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Newsom Grape Day April 25, 2008

9:00 Grapevine Pruning Demonstration & Late Fertilizer Application ResultsTeresa Burns, Extension Viticulture Advisor, High Plains & West Texas

10:00 Welcome to Newsom VineyardsNeal Newsom

10:30 Pierce's Disease Jim Kamas, Assistant professor and Extension Fruit Specialist

11:30 Pierce's Disease Trapping ProjectJacy Lewis, Assistant Research Scientist, Texas Pierce's Disease Research Program

12:00 Lunch; Texas BBQ & Entertainment by the Bingham Orchestra

1:00 Introductions & Hoss Newsom Scholarship AwardNeal Newsom

1:30 Propagation Success of PD Infected VinesMike Krawitzky, 2007-08 Hoss Newsom Scholarship Recipient

1:45 Apple Twig Bores & Green June Bugs; More Pesky Than PestTeresa Burns, Extension Viticulture Advisor, High Plains & West Texas

2:00 Planting Logistics, Pruning & Training of a Non-Bearing VineyardPenny Adams, Extension Viticulture Advisor, Hill Country

2:45 Equipment Demonstrations

3:15 Fruit Transportation & Wine Quality Mike Sipowicz, Enology Extension Program Specialist

6:00 Dinner @ Lalito's in Plains

7:00 Wine & Stars Party @ the Newsom Home

Please RSVP for lunch to Neal Newsom
806.456.6877 or cabernet@crosswind.net

Directions: 4.5 Miles North of Plains Texas on Highway 214

Attendees will receive 3 Texas Department of Agriculture CEUs toward their pesticide applicators license.

Proceeds from the Silent Auction will Benefit the Hoss Newsom Scholarship Program (Donated Items for the Silent Auction are Encouraged)

Sponsored by the Newsom Family, The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association & Texas AgriLife Extension

Where to NOT Buy Grape Vines

2008-02-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

Tyty is a No-No

If you have been considering ordering some plants from an online nursery, consider checking out this post from my buddy's Carb Counter blog. At least do a little Google search on them before buying.

He ordered about 1000 bucks worth of pecan trees from a Georgia nursery named Tyty.

They ripped him off and he did a little research into their business practices. It turns out that he is not alone. You can read about Tyty's bad business practices on his blog at: http://carbcounter.blogspot.com. The money you save may be your own!

Gardening Nurseries Georgia

2007 Nuyaka Creek Wine Festival May 19

2007-05-08T07:39:00.001-07:00

Baby Wine
Originally uploaded by FreeWine.

Join Us for Our Spring Wine Festival on Saturday May 19th, 2007 from Noon until 7pm!

We will have some great live music from Larry Spears and Carolyn Schadd from Tulsa and Herman Thompson from Morris plus maybe a couple of local performers. Of course, there will be a wide variety of Oklahoma wines for tasting.

Enjoy BBQ Brisket and chicken plus sides and cobbler and ice cream from Cushing, Oklahoma griller Big Rob.

Dad will have a favorite wine from the past available again this year: Nuyaka Creek Winery Watermelon Wine. Also, try a new lightly sweet red wine made from Chambourcin grapes, called Okie Hummer Red.

Come on out and enjoy a Spring day in the country and taste our wide selection of Oklahoma wines. We are looking forward to seeing all of you again. Don't forget to print out a map to the winery!

http://www.nuyakacreek.com/winefest.htm

EVENT: Spring Oklahoma Wine Festival at Nuyaka Creek Winery
DATE: May 19, 2007 Noon until 7:00 PM

ADMISSION: Buy one $5.00 souvenir wine glass and taste all of the wines.

INFORMATION: Call the Nuyaka Mall at 918-756-8485

Technorati Tags: Oklahoma Events, Wine Festival, Winery, Oklahoma

2007 Jenks Herb Festival April 28

2007-04-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

The 11th annual Jenks Herb and Plant Festival hosted by the Jenks Garden Club continues to become bigger and better than ever with more than 100 booths featuring an abundance of plants, herbs, spices, and outdoor decorations.

The festival takes place on Saturday, April 28th in downtown Jenks between between Main and "A" streets and 2nd and 3rd streets.

This family friendly event lasts from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The festival will include areas uniquely designed for each member of the family, including a special children’s area with face-painting, Jupiter jump and more. Various musical groups are scheduled to perform throughout the day, and food vendors ranging from fresh fruit to ice cream will be on hand to settle anyone’s hungry appetite.

Contact Kaye Maclasky at 227-1528 for vendor information.

Cynthiana Grape Vines On Sale for 2007

2007-03-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

Cynthiana Grapes produce a rich, full-bodied red wine with a dry character similar in style to Cabernet Sauvignon but with more spice.
In fact, it has been called 'The Cabernet of the
Ozarks'.

Excellent resistance to most diseases that affect leaves
and fruit. Vigorous plants bear small, flavorful grapes.
Ripens in late August to early September, makes deeply
pigmented wine.

2007 WineFest and Oklahoma Grape Vine Sale

2007-03-27T08:58:00.000-07:00

2007 Nuyaka Creek Spring WineFest & Grape Vine Sale

Drink in the beauty of an Oklahoma vineyard in Spring and celebrate the beginning of a new season with our winery family and friends. You might even take home a few wine grape vines to plant your own vineyard!

DATE: May 19th, 2007 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

http://www.nuyakacreek.com/winefest.htm

Wine Grape Vines On Sale for 2007

2006-12-15T14:08:00.000-08:00

Joseph's Steakhouse and Tidal School Winery
Originally uploaded by FreeWine.

Henry Fields has begun their annual wine grape vine sales! This is a great chance to start a home vineyard from just a couple wine grape vines.

Most commercial growers only sell wine grape vines in bulk. Although their prices are lower than Henry Fields, they rarely come with the same money back promise and they force you to purchase many times more vines than you need. Check out these wine grape vine bargains offered with NO minimum purchase size:

Wine Grape Vines On Sale - Click links for prices

Cabernet Sauvignon Grape Vine One Gallon

Chardonnay Grape Vine One Gallon - Chardonnay is a good-yielding white wine variety that buds early in the season and also ripens relatively early.

Technorati Tags: Wine Grapes, Vineyard, Grape Grower, Grape

2006-11-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

Interested in tasting some Oklahoma wines and a gourmet meal? Make plans to attend the Summerside Winery Autumnal Dinner hosted by winery owners Marsha and Gary Butler.
Nov. 18, 2006 in Vinita, Oklahoma

72 hour advance reservations are required. Price is $49 per person.

Gourmet dinner prepared by Val Saamer, Graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music and former Chef at 9 Knox Street in Boston for seven years. Following his 9 Knox Street experience, Val was a dining room instructor for Johnson and Wales Culinary School in Providence, RI. The evening will be begin with a 6:30pm reception with hor d’oreves and wine tasting followed by a 7:30pm seating for dinner.

More Rain Graces Oklahoma

2006-10-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

Outstanding Tree
Originally uploaded by FreeWine.

It has been raining all day here. Things are greener these days then they have been all summer. Dianne just took this great landscape shot!