Oklahoma wine

Wednesday, November 13th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Recent studies say drinking wine in moderate amounts can cut down on some health problems like heart disease and Alzheimerâ€™s. Few people realize that some great wine is being made right here in Oklahoma.

News on Six consumer reporter Rick Wells discovered one of Oklahoma's best wineries is right in our own backyard. "My wine quality is going to continue to improve over time." Dr. Bob McBratney is a relative new comer to winemaking and his vineyard is continuing to mature and as it does the wine is getting better.

Its won some impressive medals in wine competitions and is developing reputations as something better than just a novelty. But how does a successful eye doctor get into winemaking. He and his wife were looking for a place in the county they found it in the want ads. "60 acres with 3 bedroom house, 2 ponds, own gas well." They looked at the place; she thought she saw a bed and breakfast, and something for him too. "She thought if I can do eye surgery I ought to be able to learn to make wine." So he went back to school got the training and planted the first vines in 1997. "I had some help, I wore out two high school football players putting them in."

The vineyard continues to produce more and better grapes; 6 tons were harvest out there this summer. "They say the maximal quality in a vineyard won't occur until ten years." But he's already excited about the wines he's producing and enjoys showing them off.

There is an enormous investment in equipment and hard work necessary to produce the kind of wine he wants. Meeting new people and making them happy is worth the work and a wonderful lifestyle. He thinks that may be why the business is growing in Oklahoma. "It is hard work, and if people realize that, and are willing to put the work in the rewards are there just like in any other business." Rick Wells, "You've always got a bottle of wine on the table, or know where you can get one."

Dr McBratney, â€œYeah.â€ Wine tourism is a growing business in many parts of the country. As Oklahoma wineries grow and improve people, in larger numbers may be taking wine tours to Oklahoma.