Merlot

Oklahoma

Oklahoma, with its sweeping plains and undulating hills, is an evolving winegrowing region characterized by a distinctive blend of terroirs across its American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Influenced by the state's broad climatic variations, which include hot summers and cold winters, Oklahoma's vineyards benefit from a dynamic growing season that challenges the grapes to develop robust flavors and balanced acidity. The state's unique conditions include occasional influences from the Gulf of Mexico, which can introduce cooler air and moisture, moderating the intense heat and aiding in the gradual ripening of grapes. This environment allows for the cultivation of both cooler-climate varieties, which thrive in vineyards benefiting from these moderating effects, and bolder, heartier varieties suited to the warmer, more sheltered inland areas.