Wine makers hope for changes in state law

A US Supreme Court ruling could uncork the market for Oklahoma winemakers. The court ruling made some restrictions on out of state wine shipments illegal - but won't directly change Oklahoma's

Tuesday, May 17th 2005, 10:03 am

By: News On 6

A US Supreme Court ruling could uncork the market for Oklahoma winemakers. The court ruling made some restrictions on out of state wine shipments illegal - but won't directly change Oklahoma's law.

It could compel the legislature to act, though, and that's winemakers are waiting for. News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says Pete Jones loves to show off his life's work. Especially his elderberry wine. Jones is the winemaker at Nuyaka Creek Winery. He thinks he could sell twice as much - if only he could ship wine straight to his customers. Right now they have to buy it on site or through a middleman, who marks up the price. "They're heard about it, can't ship it, you just can't do it."

Jones started making wine with his grandfather. He's grown Merlot and Muscadine, but his best seller, especially to visitors from out of state, is the elderberry wine - you can't get that hardly anywhere else. "They're going to buy elderberry, pretty much."

The US Supreme Court decision won't change the Oklahoma law that makes it illegal to ship wine in or out of state. That's up to the legislature. But Jones and other winemakers are pressing lawmakers to open up the market for the growing Oklahoma wine industry. They believe it would be good for them and give consumers what they want.

Jones says he turns down buyers every day. "The Internet is good. I get probably 500 hits a day off the web site.â€

Jones' wine cellar is full and his vineyard is growing. He's ready to sell more and thinks people are ready to buy his products. He's hoping the Supreme Court decision will push Oklahoma away from one of the most restrictive laws on wine sales in the country.