Glazer's Distributors Buys Two Oklahoma Beverage Distributors

Glazer's Distributors has reached an agreement to buy Hirst Imports Co., an Oklahoma alcoholic beverage brokerage company and has purchased Reliance Wine & Spirits Co., another Oklahoma distributor.
Glazers Expands in Oklahoma
Of course, this consolidation will mean more for megalabels like Mondavi and Kendall-Jackson, as distributors seem to prefer an American wine market centralized in California.

Summerside Vineyards Creates New Website

Summerside Vineyards, Winery & Inn, in Vinita Oklahoma, has setup a new website. You can find a link to their new website on the directory of Oklahoma wineries, hosted by Nuyaka Creek Winery

Weak Dollar Creates Vintage Opportunities

Declining Dollar Aids American Wineries
Since the American dollar in the last year has dropped 20 percent against the Euro, 15 percent against the pound and 10 percent against the Japanese yen, California wines suddenly enjoy a price advantage in overseas markets.

Companies like Gallo, the largest American exporter of wine, are seeing most of the benefits of this new market environment. Sadly, Oklahoma wineries still appear to be having trouble breaking into the emerging global market for American wines.

Show your support for Oklahoma wineries by attending a local wine tasting event like:
the 2nd Annual Norman Wine Festival or Nuyaka Creek's event this May!

Say Goodbye to Corkscrews!

Simple and Innovative New Wine Closure System

Pullpop Technologies Ltd. is marketing an exciting new bottle opening solution. The simple yet innovative new closure system can be applied to regular wine bottles closed with natural or synthetic stoppers, without the use of a traditional corkscrew. The Pullpop solution is even compatible with some automated high-speed bottling lines.

The innovation, called a 'Pullpop' looks like a plastic strap attached to the flat head of a screw threaded though the cork or synthetic stopper of an already sealed bottle. To open the bottle it is necessary to fold the plastic strap, insert it into its incision on top of the cork and gently pull to extract the cork.

For additional information please write to info@pullpop.biz or visit www.pullpop.biz

Nuyaka Creek Winery Newsletter Feb. 2004

Nuyaka Creek Winery Newsletter Feb. 2004

Jan 23, 2004
http://www.NuyakaCreek.com Phone: 918-756-8485
Now Open Thursday thru Monday 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Sundays 1:00pm - 6:00pm
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The Nuyaka Creek Winery newsletter

You are receiving this newsletter because you requested it.
Instructions to cancel are at the end of this newsletter.

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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> Feature Article - Norman Wine Festival Feb 7, 2004
=> Chardonnay Shoot-out Update
=> New Oklahoma Wine News Blog
=> Websites for Wineries & Vineyards
=> Spring Winefest May 1, 2004
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information

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FEATURE ARTICLE: Norman Wine Festival Feb 7, 2004
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This February, folks in Norman, Oklahoma will have a chance
to taste some of Nuyaka Creek's best wines at the 2nd Annual
Norman Wine Festival.

2nd Annual Norman Wine Festival in Norman, Oklahoma
Saturday February 7th, 2004 from 6:30PM until 11PM
Location: St. Joseph's Parish Center Gym
421 East Acres, Norman, OK 73071

Early Donation: $12.50 per person, $20.00 per couple
At the Door: $15.00 per person, $25.00 per couple
Admission includes Buffet Dinner and commemorative wineglass
All proceeds to Benefit Parish Capital Campaign Fund

We will be there pouring and selling 4 of our best
Oklahoma wines, so come see us.
Enjoy paved roads the whole way...a rare treat for Nuyaka Creek Winery
customers!

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Chardonnay Shoot-out Update
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The battle is on! No, I'm not talking about the Democratic Primary.
I mean the Battle of the Nuyaka Creek Chardonnays.

Of the 3 Chardonnays we are pouring now:
French Oak Chardonnay is in First Place
The unoaked Chardonnay is in Second Place
with the American Oaked Chardonnay bringing up the rear.

Stay tuned to our wine list page for new vintages or visit and vote!
http://www.nuyakacreek.com/wines.htm

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New Oklahoma Wine News Blog
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Our new web log contains regularly updated articles on:
Oklahoma state wine industry news and vineyard events.
Includes online archive of Nuyaka Creek Winery Newsletters,
recipes, trivia, grape growing info, etc.

A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web.
The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone
who keeps a blog is a "blogger."
Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people
with little or no technical background to update and maintain
the blog. Postings on a blog are almost always arranged in
cronological order with the most recent additions
featured most prominantly.

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Websites for Wineries & Vineyards
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VineByDesign.com specializes in creating websites,
newsletters & specialty items promoting Oklahoma wines
and wineries. Also, you can now buy wine grapes, gourmet
cheeses and organic gardening supplies.
Stop by and visit them today!
http://www.VineByDesign.com

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Spring Winefest May 1, 2004
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Our next festival is May 1st, 2004,
but please feel free to visit us sooner and try our latest wines!

More info: http://www.NuyakaCreek.com/winefest.htm

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LIST MAINTENANCE
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To SUBSCRIBE to the Nuyaka Creek Winery newsletter,
send a blank e-mail to webmaster@nuyakacreek.com
with a subject line of: subscribe me

To quit receiving the Nuyaka Creek Winery newsletter,
send a blank e-mail to: webmaster@nuyakacreek.com
with a subject line of: unsubscribe me

http://www.NuyakaCreek.com 918-756-8485

Oklahoma Wine News

Nuyaka Creek Pouring Wine at Norman Winefest Feb 7

Nuyaka Creek Will Pour Wine at Norman Winefest Feb 7, 2004
Well, the invitation arrived too late for our winery to get the word out much, but we will do our best. Nuyaka Creek Winery will be pouring a small selection of our unique Made-in-Oklahoma wines at St. Joseph's Parish Center Gym in lovely Norman, Oklahoma.
So far, we are thinking about taking four Nuyaka Creek Wines: our Oklahoma Merlot, Oklahoma Chardonnay, Peach Mist (made from peaches and Chardonnay grapes) and Apple. We try to take a few non-traditional fruit wines to every event...just to upset the purists!
I know Canadian River Vineyards & Winery will be there, but I haven't been told what other Oklahoma wineries will be attending.
In any case, come on down and taste our wines and enjoy a good meal for charity. More details here:
Norman WineFest Details

New York to Allow Direct Shipping of Wine

New York to Allow Direct Shipping of Wine

A major victory for wine industry direct shipping advocates. New York Gov. George Pataki has included allowing direct shipping of wine to New York in his current budget proposal. New York is the second-largest wine consumption market in the country after California and the third-largest wine producing state after California and Washington.

Under Pataki's proposal, wineries shipping to the state must buy a $125 license, which allows them to send two cases a month to any single state resident who is at least 21 years old and will use it only for personal use. The shipper also must pay New York excise tax of 5 cents a liter and sales tax of up to 8.5 percent. If approved, New York would become the 27th state to allow direct shipping. Full Story

Oklahoma Winery Visitors Can Ship Wine Home

Oklahoma Winery Visitors Can Ship Wine Home

The Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act signed November 2, 2002, included a provision allowing wine, purchased while visiting a winery, to be shipped to another state. Purchasers must be in accordance with state law in that they could carry the wine into the state to which the wine is shipped.

Purchasers must be of legal age to buy wine. The shipment must require an adult signature upon delivery, and the wine must be for personal use only and not for resale.
Oklahoma Wine News

Learn How to Maintain An Oklahoma Wine Grape Vineyard

Wine Grape Pruning and Spray Class
Canadian River and Winery is conducting a Wine Grape Pruning and Spray Class on Saturday February 7, 2004, starting at 10:00 a.m.

The class will be conducted at the winery location in Slaughterville, OK The cost is $25.00 and $10.00 will be given to OGGWMA for their education fund. Participants need to bring their own hand pruning shears and a pair lopers.
Your will be given hands on experience in pruning several types of grape vines for different trellis systems as well as pruning grapes in various stages of growth. Call 405-872-5565 for reservations and directions.
Oklahoma Wine News

Red Wine Fights Bacteria that Causes Lung Infections and Heart Disease

Red Wine Fights Lung Infections and Heart Disease
According to a study published in the December 2003 issue of the medical journal Atherosclerosis, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago reported that red wine may be an effective killer of a bacteria known to cause lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis and even contribute to heart disease.

The airborne bacteria, called Chlamydia pneumoniae, is responsible for 5 percent to 30 percent of respiratory-tract infections worldwide, according to studies cited in the research. This report adds to the growing mountain of evidence for the health benefits of moderate wine consumption. Recently, study after study has shown that wine, and its polyphenols are effective bacteria fighters, helping to destroy ulcer-causing bacteria as well as E. coli and salmonella.

Oklahoma Wine News Blog

Production Software for Winery Operations.

Winemakers are defined by their love of and a passion for making wine. Sadly, much of what winemakers spend their time on... has nothing to do with the art of producing wine. Record-keeping, government compliance, and managing costs can easily be the death of an otherswise successful winery. Recently, software packages have been designed specifically to provide an easy and helpful way to handle those essential but non-romantic tasks.

The best systems will track and record key grape data like: grower, block, varietal, clone, and Brix. They also track the major winemaking activities such as: crushing, fermenting, pressing, racking, blending and bottling. This provides clear and easily accessible records of all additions, analyses, notes and cost data for all varietals, lots and blends within a winery.

Software for Wineries

Firestone Wine Tasting Saturday January 31st

Firestone Wine Tasting - Saturday, January 31st
Downtown Oklahoma City
$40.00 - Call 405-528-2996

Join Adam Firestone (Firestone Vineyards, Santa Ynez Valley, CA) as he explains how grapes are cultivated at his vineyards.
Event supports The Oklahoma Garden Festival January 29 - February 1, 2004
Oklahoma Garden Festival

Build A Grape Arbor For Your Grapes at Home

Trellis your wine grapes!
Looking for a great family project?
Texas A&M has put togeter a nice page of instructions on building grape arbors. They also included some grape variety suggestions relevant for Texans.
Home Grape Trellis Construction

Natura Winery Casino Party Night

Enjoy and evening of games, hors d’oeurves and Oklahoma wine tasting at Natura's Casino Party Night! Tell 'em the Oklahoma Wine News sent you!
Saturday, January 31 at 7 pm
Please call for reservations by Sunday, January 25 at 756-9463
$25.00 per person
(We need a count to reserve the number of games and prizes to be awarded)
For directions visit the Natura Winery Website.

Promoting Oklahoma Wines & Specialty Items

VineByDesign.com promotes Oklahoma Wines & wine grapes suitable for Oklahoma vineyards.

My comments system bit the dust!

Bad luck, eh?
I'm going to try this one next:
Comment This! Blogger Comments System
Got any reccomendations?

WineAmerica May Become Federation of State Groups

During WineAmerica's board meeting, a decision was made to discuss with its constituents a possible plan to transition WineAmerica to a federation of state winery associations.

The plan will be considered during the 2004 Wine & Grape Policy Conference, March 7 through 10, 2004 in Washington, DC.

Full Article from Wine Business Online

WineAmerica.org

Let the Wine Festivals Begin!

Oklahoma passed HB 1107 into law in 2003. Since November, Oklahoma wineries have been able to sell unopen bottles at fairs and festivals. This is providing excellent new opportunities for charities and towns all over Oklahoma to benefit from the new growth in American wine consumption.
American Wineries May Newsletter(PDF)

Winery in Big Cabin, Oklahoma

You will find Cabin Creek Vineyard just west of the Will Rogers Turnpike exit off Hwy 69.
Cabin Creek Vineyards article
...from the The Chronicle of Grand Lake

Still working on the RSS Feed

My apologies to any RSS subscribers, I'm still learning as I go and I don't hink I have it working right. I'm trying something different today, since I can't seem to figure out Feedster.

Make Your Own Gourmet Wine Vinegar

Make your own gourmet wine vinegar that will surpass most of what's available on the mass market. Wine vinegar has been valued for thousands of years, as both a health booster and cleansing agent.
WineMaker Magazine Vinegar Making Article

Avoid letting sulfites ruin your vinegar by making it from one of Nuyaka Creek Winery's 24 unique Oklahoma wines!

2nd Annual Norman Wine Festival

Saturday 7 February 2004 6:30PM until 11PM
2nd Annual Norman Wine Festival in Norman, Oklahoma
Location: St. Joseph's Parish Center Gym 421 East Acres, Norman 73071

Early Donation: $12.50 per person, $20.00 per couple
At the Door: $15.00 per person, $25.00 per couple
Admission includes Buffet Dinner and commemorative wineglass
All proceeds to Benefit Parish Capital Campaign Fund

Following their tradition they have failed to invite Nuyaka Creek Winery, but we try not to take it personally.

California Winery Uses Corks for Coupons

Cool Winery Marketing Idea...Corks as Coupons!

Consumers save money on accessories such as corkscrews, glassware and wine-storage systems. International Wine Accessories benefits buy gaining new customers. Wineries get the promotional value of a coupon campaign, with buying coupons! It's a win-win-win situation in winery marketing.

Wine Grape Growers Portal

Informative site for wine grape growers created by Pennsylvania State University.
Oklahoma wine enthusiasts should use the site to:

• Find ways to improve farming techniques


• Facilitate communication with other wineries


• Keep abreast of marketplace changes


• Advertise your sale of, or need to purchase wine grapes

PSU Wine Grape Network

Late Fall Until Spring is Pruning Time

Pruning your grapevines is critical for maximizing both quality and yield and expanding your vineyards. Cuttings can be taken anytime from the late fall until the plants are leafing out in the spring. Cuttings should consist of at least five buds off the previous year's growth. A single cane can usually yield four or five cuttings.

To expand your vineyard, root your pruned cuttings.

Preparation:

Store your Fall cuttings covered in damp, wrung out sphagnum moss. Place both the moss and the cuttings into a plastic bag and keep them cool, but not freezing. Loosely seal the plastic bag and watch the condition of the cuttings from time to time throughout the winter. If you see any mold, open the bag and allow the moss to dry out. If cuttings appear dry and shriveling, moisten the moss up a little. For your early spring cuttings, root them directly into the soil.

Planting:

First, make sure that the soil is loose and well drained. Then, dip your cuttings in a rooting hormone powder and then immediately stick the cutting into the soil. At least two buds should be buried. Your cuttings should start budding and rooting within a month and in a year they should be ready for transplanting.

Repeat this process every year and you can expand your vineyards indefinitely.

Vineyard Establishment and Management Links

This handy grape growing portal from Texas A&M University provides general recommendations and considerations for Texas conditions. However, much of the information will also apply to other grape growing regions, such as Oklahoma.

Wine Grape Growing Guidelines

Help for Oklahoma Wine Industry Newcomers

Joining an industry organization will help market newcomers to gain from shared experience and information, participate in cooperative purchasing and marketing programs and keep up with the latest legal and technical changes in the industry.

OGGWMA - The Official Tourism Website of Oklahoma Wineries and Vineyards..
OGGWMA has more than 35 member vineyards across Oklahoma and a number of family businesses and diversified farming operations that have planted vineyards or are planning to do so. Jill Stichler - President.

LCGGA - The Lincoln County Grape Growers Association has its regular monthly meetings on the first Monday of each month at various locations throughout Lincoln County. Membership in the association is $60, per year.

Grape acreage in Lincoln County is equal to the acreage in all other counties combined. The Lincoln County area has a climate favorable to quality grape production and stands to be the beneficiary of a high value crop.

In 1999, only two Oklahoma wineries were licensed. In 2003, 17 were licensed. The growing Oklahoma Wine Industry is already bringing new revenue to the state and promises to be a major growth industry for the agriculture and tourism industries. As a result more and more organizations are forming to encourage the growth of this exciting local industry.

Enormous Advantages of Wine Caves

Wine Caves make good economic sense.
Vintners are catching on to the enormous advantages of wine caves. Since cave construction began taking off in the 80's, contractors have been lining up for jobs. There are now around 10 companies in California devoted exclusively to wine cave construction.

I wonder what Oklahoma construction company is going to catch on to this growing trend?

New Winemaking Process to Increase Profits

Recover about 100 liters of additional wine from each ton of grapes crushed!

New winemaking process

Coalition Promotes Burgundy Wine Principles

They claim secrets to great wines is deep roots and the key to deep roots and the taste of terroir is dry agriculture, as has been practiced in Burgundy, France.

WINE BUSINESS GRAPE GROWING

Winery has Pure Oklahoma Harvest in 2003

Oklahoma vineyard owners received 1,000-1,200 dollars per ton for 12 tons of Oklahoma wine grapes in 2003, according to Peggy Striegel of Tidal School Vineyards.

Stroud winery has pure Oklahoma harvest 08/30/03

Arthritis Foundation Benefit Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting, Hors d'Oeuvres and Auction
Friday, February 6th, 2004 at 50 Penn Place
5000 North Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City

Benefiting the Arthritis Foundation, Oklahoma Chapter.
For more information call (405) 936-3366 or 1-800-627-5486.

Arthritis Foundation Valentine Ball

Labeling the Nutritional Values of Wine

More and more groups are discussing nutrition labels for wines. However, new laws requiring difficult to obtain analysis on local wine products may push small producers out of the market.
USDA Nutritional Values of Wine


...but then again many folks on special diets would benefit from nutrition labels. I wonder if there could be some way to partner with Oklahoma universities to provide affordable nutrition analysis for better labels. College kids testing wine...sounds feasible to me!

If it was affordable, it could really improve sales for producers looking for new markets like:

Wine, Carbohydrates and the Atkins Diet