BOTTLES, CANS, OR SLUSHEES—YOU BE THE JUDGE

You want to listen when Thomas Ingmire speaks. For a few reasons. His soft-spoken manner, in its unassuming way, commands attention. And then he begins to share his story and his passion, you quickly realize that you really do want to hear what he has to say.

Clauren Ridge Vineyard and Winery, located in northwest Edmond, offers everything that one might expect when visiting a winery—a comfortable, inviting tasting room, a lovely patio where one can relax and enjoy a glass, and perhaps a small gourmet snack while gazing out over the vineyard, and a friendly, accommodating staff who truly enjoy and take pride in what they do. And while this creates a pleasant wine experience, there’s so much more to learn about Clauren Ridge.

Thomas, who runs the operation with his wife Kim, is completely hands-on in every aspect of the wine-making process. Kim runs the administrative, retail, and guest-centered parts of the business.

From planting, pruning, picking, and packing, Thomas, along with long-time employee Rich, make it all sound fairly easy, but the more he reveals about winemaking, the more you realize that it’s basically a giant agricultural experiment that differs from one year to the next depending on the weather and other aspects of nature that ultimately determine the quality of a harvest and the outcome of the product. At its inception in 2012, they originally intended as a grower/supplier, Thomas and Kim traveled to California, France, and Italy, and saw firsthand how tasting rooms are set up. They decided that Oklahoma needed a better presentation of the wines, so started the tasting room.

Thomas took the staff of The Brew on an extensive tour of the property, showing us the processing room where they had just finished bottling a run Joad’s Reply. Even though they were finishing up the process, there was still discussion about two different types of labels to choose from. It’s all part of a day’s work when you’re one of only 3 or so people who make those decisions, day in and day out. But it’s this kind of personal touch that creates the laid-back environment Clauren Ridge has to offer.

And if that’s not enough, they also do events, both private and public. From weddings to themed wine pairing dinners, they can accommodate up to 150 people in the barrel room, or, if you’re really feeling adventurous, they can set upright in the vineyard.

I don’t consider myself to be a wine snob, but I’ve enjoyed some good wines in my day, and consider myself to be somewhat of a wine purist (except for mimosas, because who shouldn’t love champagne and orange juice on a Sunday afternoon?) So the idea of a frozen wine drink would normally have me automatically adopting an attitude of, “uh, no thanks. I’ll pass on that.” But then the man set a slushee down in front of me. I couldn’t be rude, right? So I decided to do the right thing and, well, just give it a try. And I will admit, my attitude changed immediately. The slushees, which come in multiple flavors, would absolutely be the best thing I could think of enjoying, on that patio, on a warm summer day.