Oklahoma wines receives Gold and Bronze medals at Florida State ...

Story by Darla Shelden on March 31, 2012 . Click on author name to view all articles by this author. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

The 24th Annual Florida State Fair International Wine Competition chose two Canadian River Winery wines for recognition. Canadian River Chocolate Merlot won a Gold Medal in the competition and Canadian River 2011 Muscat Canelli was awarded a Bronze Medal. Photo provided

By Darla Shelden
Contributing Writer

The 24th Annual Florida State Fair International Wine Competition chose two Canadian River Winery wines for recognition. Canadian River Chocolate Merlot won a Gold Medal in the competition and Canadian River 2011 Muscat Canelli was awarded a Bronze Medal. These Oklahoma wines were chosen from this year’s 1,067 entries from 34 states and 10 foreign countries.

“Both wines were produced from Oklahoma grapes grown in Cleveland and McClain counties,” said Gene Clifton, Canadian River Winery owner.“Merlot grapes from Redbud Farm Vineyards in Goldsby owned by Terry and Susan Boehrer; Merlot grapes from Willow Pond Vineyard in Slaughterville owned by Jill Stichler; and Merlot and Muscat Canelli grapes from Twisted Vines Vineyards in Slaughterville owned by Charles and Mary Decious, Brian Costa, and Bill Westbrook. We also harvested both of these grapes from the vineyards at Canadian River Winer.”

Canadian River Chocolate Merlot has a chocolate flavor with hints of cherry and is sweetened for those who prefer a sweeter wine. The cost is $11.95 per bottle and bulk pricing is available when purchased by the case.
Located about 12 miles south of Norman on U.S. Highway77, Canadian River Winery in Slaughterville, OK, is among the oldest wineries in Oklahoma.

Canadian River Muscat Canelli and Chocolate Merlot were recently featured at the Midwest Grape and Wine Conference Tour de Vin along with other Oklahoma wines from members of the Oklahoma Grape Industry Council (OGIC).

“So far, 2012 is shaping up to be a great year for grapes. The mild winter was kind to Oklahoma grapes which are in the process of being pruned as we speak,” said Clifton. “We’re looking forward to another great year.Winning awards is an indication that the Oklahoma Grape and Wine Industry is progressing in positive vineyard management practices and in wine making thanks in large part to our partners at Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture.”

Canadian River Winery joins with other wineries and vineyards to present classes and seminars at Canadian River to educate growers and the public on how to care for vineyards and to encourage support for the local growers. To attend, call Bill at 405-872-5565 or e-mail crwinery@aol.com

“What we need now is a lot of good legislation from the Oklahoma Legislature to “level the field” as far as parity in business fees and in creating a small business friendly rural economic development environment,” said Clifton.“We are proving that we can and will do the rest to make Oklahoma Wines something the citizens of Oklahoma can be proud of.”

For more information visit www.canadianriverwinery.com.