Local grower plants niche in all-natural gourmet grape juices
By Melissa A. Wabnitz
Transcript Staff Writer
SLAUGHTERVILLE -- Grapes are naturally tasty, nearly any way you pluck, press or pasteurize them. And for former weather predictor Jill Stichler, the sometimes sweet, sometimes tart juices derived from the cantankerous little fruits have turned into the lifeblood of a home-based business -- Redland Juice Company.
Nestled in the crook of Bryant Road and 108th Avenue off Slaughterville Road since 2003, Stichler and her partner-in-juice, Kathy Bates, have bottled a recipe for success with their line of gourmet grape juices ranging from vintage Chardonnay and Merlot varieties to a signature blend, Maiden Oklahoma and, most recently, an antioxidant-rich elderberry-grape blend.
Stichler, a native Oklahoman, said her business venture began the year she retired from the National Weather Service.
"Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to grow grapes, and then, in 2000, on my way home from work one day, I saw some guys up the corner planting some grapes and I just turned in there and introduced myself," she said. "It started there and really that's how it came to be -- it's like God leads you down a path and I think I'm just supposed to be doing this."
Though no Redland products contain alcohol, ironically it was from Stichler's attempts at wine-making that she and Bates dreamt of producing an all-natural, sugar-and-water-free juice variety.
"When people think of grape juice, they think of concord, and when they try something else, they are just astonished at the variety," Stichler said. "I found out in this business, everybody has a favorite juice, kind of like favorite wines almost. Some people like really, really sweet juices, like our Merlot is very sweet, and some people like a tart juice, like the Maiden Oklahoma."
In many ways, wine-making may have been the easier pursuit, Stichler said, but producing an original item that's safe to give to grandchildren and grannies alike is a worthwhile and satisfying pursuit.
"I spend nearly all day, every day here," Stichler said of her nearly four acres of grape vines. "It's work, but if you enjoy what you're doing, it's not really work."
Melissa A. Wabnitz 366-3550 mwabnitz@normantranscript.com
Local news
Goodness of grapes
- Local news
-
-
Veterans, community remember the fallen
Wesley Carroll lives on, but countless numbers of his friends and family have been laid to rest after their service in conflicts dating as far back as the 18th century....
-
Deputies arrest 10
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies made 10 arrests in a Saturday night and early Sunday morning saturation patrol....
-
Troopers release name in Thunderbird drowning
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers have released the deceased’s name in a weekend drowning at Lake Thunderbird....
-
Holiday fun
Sunday wasn’t just another church night at Harvest Church. The church’s pre-Memorial Day fellowship event featured a monster truck show, bike stunts and fireworks, among other things....
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
Norman’s Bishop Creek is home to a lot more than frogs, turtles and water skimmers, a group of volunteers say....
-
More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day
NEW YORK — More Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend than a year ago. And they’ll have a bit more money to spend thanks to lower gas prices....
-
OBA names officers
TULSA — Brad Swickey, president and CEO of Valliance Bank in Oklahoma City, was inducted as chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 115th Leadership Forum and Annual Convention, held May 14 and 15 at the Renaissance Hotel ...
-
Rig count down by 3 to 1,983
HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983....
-
Cornerstone Metals Recycling opens in Norman
Cornerstone Metals Recycling has officially opened a recycling facility in Norman at 2350 Industrial Blvd. The facility will provide easy access drive-through for recyclers in the Norman area including South Oklahoma City, Moore and Pauls ...
-
Agriculture Department spurring exports
International Market Development Coordinator Barbara Charlet is constantly finding new ways to introduce Oklahoma’s agricultural products to foreign markets. With 18 years of experience in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
