Category Archives: Uncategorized

October 2024 Newsletter Autumn – The Reward for Enduring a Summer I have never been a fan of hot weather. Scandinavians have a saying about winter, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” That’s true in the far north where you can layer up, but down here in the relative south, unlayeringContinue reading “October 2024 Newsletter”

Almost Fall Fall is my favorite season of the year. The summer hothouse gives way to drier, cooler nights. Birds begin to change their daily patterns, and my wife finds our swimming pool too cold in September except during really hot days. We have three remaining small harvests, Cabernet Sauvignon on September 7, Merlot after thatContinue reading “Mid-September 2024 Newsletter”

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 pressedContinue reading “August 2024 Newsletter”

July 2024 Newsletter Changes This was the opening statement of our Declaration of Independence. “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which theContinue reading “July 2024 Newsletter”

June 2024 Newsletter Farming My academic background is chemistry and physics. I also have a Master of Divinity degree and served as an Episcopal priest. My winery partner is a retired pediatrician. Our vineyard manager is a Master Gardener. If you are going to make wine with integrity and produce wine from your land, soonerContinue reading “June 2024 Newsletter”

May 2024 Newsletter Resolute We have a storm drain on either side of our driveway. Drainage from the winery vineyard plus the crushpad washdowns during harvest all flow through these channels. Recently, I stepped out of the car and looked down to see this beautiful little grapevine bravely poking its leaves up through the heavy steelContinue reading “May 2024 Newsletter”

April 2024 Newsletter The Blessings of Age We have learned that whiskey barrels with a mash bill similar to Woodford Reserve, tend to enhance our hybrids, Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc. “Estate Reserve Chambourcin aged in Whiskey Barrels” and “Brilliantly Lit” respectively. For the Brilliantly Lit label, we “found” two barrels where the wine had beenContinue reading “April 2024 Newsletter”

The Hazard of being too Eager If you imagine the maximum altitude a human can climb on this planet (29,031 feet at Mt. Everest), and 31 the maximum depth a human can descend (36,037 feet at the Mariana Trench). Now imagine the earth is the size of a basketball. The twelve-mile layer of human endeavorContinue reading “March 2024 Newsletter”

An Observation and a Confession This may seem like an odd note from a winemaker and co-owner of a large, Oklahoma vineyard. But, I believe in truth telling, and I am an optimist. The European grapes most wine-lovers love are all one species, vitis vinifera. Different genetic varieties give us Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and soContinue reading “February 2024 Newsletter”

Damp January We all make resolutions to go to the gym more, lose weight, get more sleep, and drink less alcohol. New Years Day provides the perfect couch opportunity to watch football and drink maybe a little less beer than last week. Some writers are even talking about a “Damp January” instead of a totallyContinue reading “January 2024 Newsletter”