In an industry typically dominated by big brands, Tulsans Kala and Scott Large — owners of Provisions Fine Beverage Purveyors — have created something unique when it comes to beverage distribution within the state of Oklahoma. The products it supplies aren’t just something in a box or bottle; they are part of a culture of establishing relationships and building friendships.
“The fact that we are both family- and locally owned sets us apart from other huge distributors who sell big corporate brands,” Kala says, adding that they typically only work with other family-owned wineries and distilleries.
Provisions has been a wine and beverage distributor based in Tulsa for over 10 years, selling over 1,500 items to restaurants, bars, liquor stores and country clubs. With a focus on working with multigenerational farmers and vintners, Kala says they are careful to choose suppliers who support sound ecological practices and biodiversity, and that 98% of Provisions’ portfolio is organic and/or sustainable.
“We’re trying to do our part to make Oklahoma better,” Scott adds.
Officially launching Provisions in 2015, the Larges now employ nearly 20 people. Their mission is to convey that wine isn’t just wine; it is a point of connection that links people together, one that is woven into traditions and celebrations the world over.
“Wine is nature, culture, beauty and time,” Kala says. “It’s not just alcohol. It’s all the goodness of the earth and humanity in a living, evolving sip.”
The couple emphasize the importance of traveling and seeing what other cities are doing in order to continue to bring new, desirable products to the state.
“We’ve been called tastemakers over the years because we’re passionate about contributing to the Oklahoma food and beverage scene by bringing both the fresh innovative stuff that we’ve discovered, and the renowned legendary stuff that we’ve pursued,” Kala says.
As a small family- and locally owned company, Purveyors’ purchasing decisions are driven by passion rather than quotas.
Tom Gilbert
One of these “legendary” pursuits includes Provisions’ recent connection with “Twin Peaks” star Kyle MacLachlan, a name likely also familiar to Tulsans through his recent role as troubled gubernatorial candidate Donald Washberg in Sterlin Harjo’s “The Lowdown,” which filmed in Tulsa and the surrounding area. Outside of acting MacLachlan co-founded a winery called Pursued by Bear in Walla Walla, Washington, and thanks to Provisions, MacLachlan’s wines can now be found at LoFi, Ava June, Parkhill’s Warehouse Liquors and Wines, Ranch Acres, and Old Village Wine and Spirits.
“We’re huge ‘Twin Peaks’ and Kyle MacLachlan fans, and I had reached out years ago about bringing in his wines, but the timing wasn’t right for one reason or another,” Scott says. “When Sterlin let me know that Kyle was going to be in ‘The Lowdown,’ I reached out again and he and his sales manager were excited to finally get started with us.”
He adds that, not only are MacLachlan’s wines highly awarded, but MacLachlan himself is also “one of the nicest people you could ever meet.”
“He spent half a day with us at our office during a sales meeting and sat around and answered questions about wine, food, films, TV, etc. He also showed up for our big tenth anniversary tasting last May and poured his wines and chatted with trade attendees for several hours,” Scott says.
After celebrating 10 years in business, the couple say they are more energized than ever — committed to reconnecting communities, supporting independent producers and inviting younger generations to discover wine without intimidation.
“We’ve got an incredible team right now, and we’re all working really hard to make wine and spirits exciting and accessible to the next generation,” Kala says.
To learn more about Provisions and its products, follow @provisionsok on Instagram, and look for the Provisions logo on the shelves of local wine and spirit retail stores.
Dining and Cooking