State Profiles: Oklahoma Wine Country

Despite Prohibition, the Dust Bowl, and lingering suspicion of alcohol, somehow Oklahoma has managed to host a grape and wine industry. Actually, the first vineyard was planted in 1898, and Oklahoma was the second-largest grape producing state until the 1930s Dust Bowl. But statewide alcohol prohibition began a decade before the national version in 1919, and even after it was repealed in 1933, Oklahoma remained dry until 1959.

Today’s wine industry began in the 1990s along the iconic Route 66, and since 2010 has been supported by the Oklahoma Grape Industry Council which mentors new growers, encourages continuing education, and supports research to improve grape and wine quality. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Oklahoma State University have also been instrumental in stimulating industry growth and improvement.

Great Grapes: Chardonnel

This Cornell-created, cold-hardy, late-ripening varietal combining Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay has become popular in many eastern and midwestern states. Like Chardonnay, there are oaked and unoaked versions with significantly different taste profiles, and reactions from wine judges.