Over the past few years, Oklahoma wine has grown from a few small vineyards into a blossoming industry. This year's newly-named WATONGA CHEESE & WINE FESTIVAL will host the first statewide wine competition, featuring an esteemed panel of judges from throughout Oklahoma. Andy Barrett, Cheese Festival chairman, and Brad Stinson, owner of Whirlwind Winery in Watonga, recently appeared on KSBI Channel 52 TV to promote the event.
Judges for the event include Clayton Bahr, Premium Wines representative and host of Oklahoma's only wine radio show; Amie Hendrickson, general manager and sommelier at Edmond Wine Shop; Greg Horton, food writer for the Oklahoma Gazette; and Williams McGlynn, Ph.D., horticultural products processing specialist at OSU. The event has garnered the support of the Oklahoma Grape Industry Council (OGIC), an organization made up of members from professional wineries and vineyards throughout Oklahoma.
Wines entered in the competition will be judged by class and division. The top entries will be awarded medals. This year's Festival will also feature a People's Pairing in which the general public can vote for its favorite wine. Interested winemakers can find an entry form at www.watongacheesefestival.com.
In addition to the new wine competition, the two-day Festival features live entertainment, crafts, an art show, quilt show, and many other family-friendly activities. More information on the Festival will appear on this blog in the following weeks.
Maybe next year we can get my sister to be part of the judging since she was born in Watonga. She works for the OK Gazette. I will have to ask her if she knows about it this year.
ReplyDeleteWe'd love to talk to her about it! This is the first year for the competition and we hope to make it an annual event. We'll keep in touch and get her information -- she sounds perfect for the project! /Linda
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