Filed by Gail Banzet in Business, Feature, Local News, News.
December 10, 2009

By KOSU reporter Gail Banzet

In a follow-up to last week’s story about 50 years since Oklahoma’s prohibition days, we visit a few wineries and breweries that are thriving. Oklahoma was one of the last states to repeal prohibition, but since that time, entrepreneurs have discovered the liquor industry.

Richard Kennedy places wine glasses on his bar in preparation to pour some red wine. He owns Tres Suenos Winery located a few miles north of Luther, Oklahoma. Tres Suenos was only the third winery to open in the state almost 11 years ago. After attending school in Texas to learn the craft of winemaking, Kennedy partnered with two other Oklahomans in the business venture.

“The name Tres Suenos means three dreams because there were three of us that had a dream to build the wine industry in Oklahoma. Now there’s over 50 some wineries so I think with our success, it kind of kick-started the industry in Oklahoma and really followed from there,” he said.

Tres Suenos hosted the first-ever wine festival in Oklahoma, now an annual event, and the location boasts a 4,000 square-foot event center for parties and weddings. Kennedy contracts with 8 local grape growers in addition to the 5 acres he harvests every year. He says it’s important to incorporate Oklahoma value-added products.

“My goal has always been to promote Oklahoma. I grew up here, was born here, grew up here, and I want to promote the farmers that work real hard to grow our grapes,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy sees a lot of potential in Oklahoma’s winemaking industry. There are now more than 50 wineries around the state, and he says that number will grow if the state legislature helps out with fees and distribution regulations. Also, Oklahoma’s central location makes for an ideal tourism attraction.

“We could have 200, 300 wineries here. It could be a major stopping-off point for people to stop and spend some money here in Oklahoma,” Kennedy said.

The success of Tres Suenos has inspired others with a dream to also try the wine business. Andrea Griggs owns and operates Put a Cork in It winery with her husband in Oklahoma City’s Bricktown.

“This is something that I’ve dreamed of doing. I have a passion for people and he has the passion for making the wine so it works out real well,” Griggs said.

Griggs’ winery has proven to be a wise investment since its opening three years ago, but another area of the industry that’s also growing is beer brewing. Rick Huebert owns and operates Huebert Brewing Company in Oklahoma City.

“I started home brewing probably back in 87 or something like that and just enjoyed doing it. It’s kind of one of those things I got hooked on the idea and just kind of progressed from there,” Huebert said.

Huebert incorporated his business in 2002 and lobbied for approval of state senate bill 353 a year later. The bill was signed into law in 2003 allowing for the manufacture, wholesale and retail of low-point beer and the brewing and wholesale of beer above 3.2 in Oklahoma. Together, Huebert and a couple employees run the show shipping out 1,500 to 2,000 cases of beer a month during their busiest times of the year.

“Soda pops we’re also doing. We make beer, soda pops. We make what they call FMBs or flavored malt beverages which is considered a beer. All of it together, I believe we make 19 different products,” he said.

One of Huebert’s competitors on a state level is Marshall Brewing Company in Tulsa. Owner and brew master Eric Marshall began brewing beer in 2008 after completing an apprenticeship in Germany and working in a brewery outside Philadelphia. He and a small staff produce 4 beers year-round including Sun Down Wheat and McNellie’s Pub Ale. It was a challenge in the beginning, but Marshall says he credits his success to a lot of local support.

“People have wanted a locally brewed beer for a long time and so I think you’re starting to see that pop up, and the whole Oklahoma brewing scene is really starting to develop and come alive, which is a cool thing to see,” he said.

Marshall’s beers are sold in about 150 bars and restaurants around the state and in hot spots such as McNellie’s in downtown. As a native Tulsan, Marshall’s goal is to make a beer locals are proud of and lay the groundwork for a prosperous industry. He says Oklahoma was once considered a “beer wasteland” but entrepreneurs are starting to see the state’s potential.

“There’s still a lot of boundaries or barriers, but I think people are starting to check it out and not necessarily push the limit but find the limits and do things, and I think that’s the first step,” Marshall said.

It’s been just 50 years since all alcohol was banned in Oklahoma, but today you can buy wine and beer manufactured within the state. Winery and brewery owners say the industry continues to grow along with local support.