August 2024 Newsletter
Nature’s Bounty
| I have a difficult time getting myself psyched for the first harvest of the year. It is almost always Vignoles (white hybrid grapes). It comes earlier every year by a day or so. And it is always big, four tons this year. White grapes must be picked, destemmed, crushed, and pressed into juice the same day. Things get going in the vineyard before 6:30 AM. Picking bins, half-ton harvest bins, and all processing equipment must be cleaned and sanitized. It is all stored in barns for the ten months it is not used, but barns are inherently dirty places. Vignoles is one of the early French-American hybrids developed in the late 19th century following the devasting exportation of America’s own invasive species (phylloxera) to Europe. It is sometimes referred to as a “hybrid of unknown origins.” When it ferments, it smells and tastes exactly like Sauvignon Blanc. Wine snobs pooh-pooh hybrid grapes as somehow inferior to the “pure” European grapes which are but one species and thousands of varieties. Our American grape readily reproduce with their European relatives not unlike what humans do. Why should we care about such “purity”? Bob Wickizer, Winemaker  |
| Retail Sales Our new salesperson, Becca Willis, is making the rounds. She also delivers wines to customers. We have several new and updated wines you should try, and our pricing is better than ever. Becca is lining up public tastings and wine dinners, so call the winery 918 683.1087 or email us at info@pecancreekwinery.com.  |
| Upcoming Bottling Bottlings in August include: Purple Martin: West coast Cabernet Sauvignon blended with a small amount of Barrel Reserve & Whiskey Barrel Chambourcin – 35 cases Barrel Reserve: 2016 vintage Chambourcin. Barrel aged 7 years – 22 cases Whiskey Barrel Chambourcin: 2021 Chambourcin barrel aged 2+ years – 22 cases Whisper to Me (Moscato): West coast Moscato blended with our Riesling – 27 cases We typically do not bottle during August because of harvest demands. All four of the above wines are the best ever. You simply must try them. |
| Wine Education Corner – “Sulfites cause Headaches” One of the two owners of this winery is a retired pediatrician. I taught physics of diagnostic imaging at two medical schools and have some med school classroom training. Both of us can and do read peer-reviewed scientific journals in medicine and other disciplines. There are some reported cases of sensitivity to sulfites in the literature, but nowhere near enough to support the widespread claim. If there is any connection at all, it is typically human chemical sensitivity, and not a real “allergy.” The handful of cases reporting allergic responses of hives and difficulty breathing may be connected to other causes, specifically “biogenic amines.” These are naturally occurring compounds produced in the body, by spoilage organisms in the wine, and certain strains of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) added to the wine in production. Histamine is the most known of these and can cause headaches along with the usual symptoms of hay fever. LAB is used to soften wine’s acidity and give that “buttery” aroma. Certain strains of LAB are selected by winemakers in big wineries so that they complete their chemistry job quickly in a week or so. Invariably, these strains also produce lots of Biogenic Amines. The strains of LAB used at Pecan Creek Winery are very slow starting in September and finishing in the spring. People are often surprised that our wines do not give them headaches. I am not, and I think I know why. I call the fast-ferment, quick-acting LAB wines “cash flow” wines because they are pushed through production hard and fast to make as much money for the winery as possible. On the other hand, our slow, steady wines go through production much slower, and the results speak for themselves. Slow and steady wins the race.  PS: Most people getting headaches from wine are probably dehydrated. Bob’s advice is to drink more water when you drink wine. |
| Outside Winery Events *Oklahoma Festival of Ballooning: August 24th and 25th at Hatchbox Field in Muskogee, OK *Saturday Farmers Market: Muskogee and Tahlequah Seo 7, Eufala Art Festival *Scotfest: September 14th-16th in Broken Arrow, OK *Oklahoma Highland Gathering: October 11th-13th in Choctaw, OK *Hobson Hops: October 11th in Sapulpa, OK |
| Future Happenings 5K Run / Grape Stomp – Saturday, September 22. 5K run in the morning at the vineyard (7000 Fern Mountain Road). Grape Stomp in the afternoon at the winery (8510 Fern Mountain Road) Air BnB Grand Opening – September Date TBA Pecan Creek Winery 10th Anniversary Party – November 8-9 Murder Mystery Dinner – Our dinner on June 22 was sold out and a huge success. Everyone had a great time including the winery staff who are all natural hams. Look for another dinner in the Fall Comedy Night – Look for a fun evening in January |
| Staying at the Winery The winery provides space for up to four RVs with 50-amp hookups and water (no sanitary facilities). We have recently purchased the five acres and building immediately to the north of the winery, and we have four more 50-amp hookups on that building but no water yet. These locations also offer more privacy and a great view of the vineyard. This fall, we will open the house adjacent to the winery as an Air BnB facility. With a full kitchen and beds for up to eight guests, this will provide another opportunity for folks who want to visit the winery and spend the night in total peace and quiet. Stay tuned for our opening date in October. |
| WE SHIP TO 38 STATES! Wine makes a GREAT gift! did you know that we ship to 38 states, making it an easy gift to send to your loved ones? Ordering is easy on our website! We ship to the following states: AK, AZ, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY |