Wine and Culinary Tours, part 2: Oklahoma
Did you know that Oklahoma boasts at least 54 wineries? Did you also know that the state’s fine wines compare favorably with European fine wines, especially those of Spain and southern France? I certainly didn’t, until a few years back when some friends of our shucked their corporate America careers, bought an old vinyard, and entered the world of wine-grape growing. As it happens, Oklahoma’s varied climate zones and constantly changing weather along with its “red dirt” soil are simply made for wine-grape growing. Even more amazing is that wine grape growing is the most profitable crop one can produce in the state. Planting times are in April and May.
The first vinyards in Oklahoma were planted before statehood (1907) by settlers staking their claims. Prohibition nixed the full scale production of wine until its repeal in 1959. Slowly, things began looking up and in the mid 1990’s wineries were booming all across the state. Today, Oklahoma’s wine industry is thriving.
Many wineries offer tours of their vinyards, processing, barreling, aging and bottling facilities; tasting rooms, bistros and elegant restaurants, wedding chapels and reception venues, and more. Operating hours open to the public vary among the wineries, with some open seasonally, some year-round with limited days and some welcome visitors every day of the year. Seasonal wine festivals and wine trail tours offered by cooperating wineries offer visitors a chance to experience the Sooner state’s varied cultural history from European to Native American celebrations, museums, and fairs.
Oklahoma’s largest vinyard and winery is Woods and Waters Winery near Anadarko, in Caddo county. Established in 1998 the lush 600 acre ranch’s location is ideal for the production of true vinifera wine grapes. Eleven varieties of wine grapes are planted in this vinyard which is an easy one hour drive from Oklahoma City.
Interested in a wine tour? Prepare for your journey by reading about the region and its wines. I have information on the various regions and their wineries. You can also visit www.oklahomawines.org and www.agritourism.travelok.com.
To arrange your group’s tour or to put together your own customized wine trail excursion, give me a call. You’ll come away with more than just a few bottles of wine; you’ll have gained a deeper cultural appreciation of wine, its proper food pairings, and the people
who make it.
Next time, I’ll highlight specific wineries and their signature vintages!
For more information on arranging an Oklahoma Wine Country Tour, call 405.642.8139 or email me at melani@travelovertures.com
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