 | In the last days of gov. Brad Henry's work with the legislature (May, 2010), he ended the nearly 100 years of prohibition as it pertains to home winemaking. In signing HB2348, Brad Henry established a basis for citizens to legally partake in the craft of making wines, ciders, and craft beers. But the state forbids anyone with a past felony record from being able to make his own wine at home. Winemakers are required to send in a simple form (CWP) on an annual basis. they are forbidden to sell or distribute their homemade wines or ciders in Oklahoma. The best news is that this hobby has no sales or liquor tax, other than the sales tax you might incure when buying the ingredients at your local grocier. I called the legal department of ABLE (the state agency tasked with administrating and enforcing licuor laws). They said very few forms come in each year, but occassionally a rush of 5-10 forms might suddenly come it at the start of a community winemaking class or club event. The kind lady at ABLE's legal department gave me these parting words of advice; "Now don't get yourself sick!". I chuckled and told her that she sounded like my old Pentecostal sunday school teacher. She said, "thank you.". |
| Yes, consuming liquor does require prudent and responsible forethought. The fermented substance can kill you or others near you. It can create an addictive syndrom which may ruin lives and families. I would actually feel safer in a community of casual pot smokers than a community of winebibbers. The stigma of pot is rapidly diminishing, but somehow liquor gets tolerated far more than marijuana. The truth is, prohibition harmed our economy and drove up black market cartels which brought in massive crime. We saw it in Al Capone's Chicago. we also saw Colorado drive out the pot cartels and recover millions in state revenue when they passed simple reforms. | |
As a teetotaler, of the past 38 years, I have learned that my personal convictions have their limits and I therefore withhold judgments, shamings, and other forms of condescensions. My parents were home winemakers and avid gardeners. They learned the art of self-reliance and how to avoid dependence on fluctuating markets, tax burdens, and potential crises from widespread calamity.
Further reading: American Homebrewers Association
If you are seeking to be certified by the state as a home winemaker, the form is here, & the address to send the form is
Further reading: American Homebrewers Association
If you are seeking to be certified by the state as a home winemaker, the form is here, & the address to send the form is
- ABLE COMMISSION,
- 3812 N. Santa Fe,
- Suite 200,
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118
