Glass Half Full - Oklahoma sees 48 percent increase in winery growth

OKC Biz, February 20th, 2007

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Oklahoma expreriences 48-percent growth in wineries in 2006 Heide Brandes 2.19.2007

‘Drink wine, and you will sleep well. Sleep, and you will not sin. Avoid sin, and you will be saved. Ergo, drink wine and be saved.’ — Medieval German saying

Americans are in love with wine, and Oklahomans are no different.

Oklahoma witnessed a 48-percent increase in new wineries during the last year, according to the 2007 Wines & Vines Directory/Buyer’s Guide, and the trend of local-grown grapes continues to rise.

Overall, North America added nearly 1,000 new wineries during the last year, an increase of 28 percent. Though the number of new wineries continues to skyrocket, the wineries themselves are often small, boutique operations; approximately half of all North American wineries have an annual production of 15,000 cases or fewer, according to published data.