WHAT QUALIFIES AS A WINERY

1. WHAT QUALIFIES AS A WINERY? An Oklahoma winery is a fantastic place to discover Oklahoma wines. If you have an interest in the Oklahoma grape wine industry, learning the difference between a winery and a vineyard is an excellent place to start. Some vineyards also operate as wineries, which can cause confusion because there is a clear difference between the two. Oklahoma Winery An Oklahoma winery is where Oklahoma grape wine is produced. The grapes that are used to make wine are not necessarily grown at the winery. A winery will have a winemaker license to create and sell their wine, but they do not all have vineyards. In fact, there are wineries in cities far from the grapes that they use. It all depends on their particular focus. Some wineries also provide wine tastings, where you can sample their products and discover Oklahoma wines you might like. However, not every winery will provide tastings, so be sure to contact a winery before visiting if you expect to sample their selection. Do not be discouraged if a winery does not have a tasting room; there are plenty more that do. Some establishments provide tours of their as well as wine tastings so that you can learn about the process of making Oklahoma wines. Oklahoma Vineyard A vineyard is where people grow grapes in Oklahoma. Some Oklahoma vineyard simply grow the grapes and sell them to wine producers. Other vineyards in Oklahoma also have wineries on-site where they can create their own vintages. If a business describes itself as a vineyard only, do not automatically expect them to provide you with a wine tasting. A vineyard might be a beautiful place to visit, but it is not a winery. A vineyard with a winery and tasting room is the best of both worlds. At these establishments, you can enjoy the beauty of a natural setting as well as a lovely selection of local wines. Some vineyards go a step further, with places to stay and rooms to rent for events. If you have any questions about what you can expect at a vineyard, reach out and ask them. If an establishment does host wine tastings or events, they will be happy to help you.

2. Be Responsible Now that you have an understanding of the difference between a vineyard and a winery, you can begin planning your visits. If you do happen to visit a tasting room, remember to enjoy the experience responsibly. Here are some general guidelines to remember:  Stay hydrated. Make sure that you consume plenty of water to prevent dehydration from alcohol or any tours you may take.  Eat. Bring snacks or purchase food if it is available. Drinking any alcohol on an empty stomach is never a good idea.  You do not have to drink everything. First of all, tasting rooms have spit buckets so that you do not have to consume every sample. Additionally, there is nothing wrong with taking a sip and dumping the rest. Regardless of whether or not you drink your wine samples, it is always wise to have a designated driver or a scheduled ride home so that you can enjoy your wine safely. #oklahomawinery, #oklahomavineyard, #growinggrapesinoklahoma #discoveroklahomavineyards, #oklahomawinetours, #discoveroklahomawines, #oklahomawines, #madeinoklahomawine, #oklahomawinetours, #winetastingokc