On Dec. 21, 2008 fire engulfed the Indian Creek Winery located three miles west of Ringwood.
Six months later the business is now back open and bigger than ever. Owner Jenny Lewis said the devastating fire allowed her to expand her business to include more than just a winery.
“We have a lot to offer folks,” Lewis said.
Besides offering wine, Indian Creek has an events center which can seat 200 people.
This Father’s Day, and every Sunday throughout the year, musical acts from around the area will take the stage at Indian Creek to perform for visitors.
“We’re open every day,” Lewis said. “We are just now getting everything done.”
She mentioned that the fire marshall was in last week to inspect the building to make sure it could reopen.
The fire on Dec. 21 totally destroyed the winery and left Lewis with a decision to make. The winery was originally intended to be a business Lewis and her husband would run after they retired. A few years ago he passed away.
“This was supposed to be our retirement,” Lewis said. “I know that he wouldn’t let me abandon this. So I haven’t.”
Instead, she has rebuilt the winery and added on the events center, but that’s not all. Indian Creek also offers a bed and breakfast and a wedding chapel.
Lewis said that Indian Creek has Made in Oklahoma foods as well.
“People can have a picnic with the Made in Oklahoma foods, or they can bring their own,” she said.
The wine is also made in Oklahoma. Lewis said that everything associated with the making of the wine is done by Indian Creek, except for the grapes. She said the grapes are imported because the processing plant was destroyed during the fire. The recipes are Indian Creek’s own however.
Besides being open for wine each day and entertainment on Sunday afternoons, Lewis said that with the new events center there are opportunities for Indian Creek to hose more weddings.
The spot was already a popular wedding destination for brides, which made the fire even more devastating to Lewis.
“It was hard because of all the planning that is done,” she said. “Some of them had planned this for a year and sent out invitations and then the fire happened.”
Now weddings and other events, such as a celebration for dad on Father’s Day complete with wine and music, can be had at the reopened Indian Creek.
Indian Creek is located just before the junction of U.S. Highway 412 and State Highway 58. Each day they are open from 1 p.m. until dusk. Entertainment occurs each Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
