Out of the abundant lands of the Grand Lake countryside grows
an industry which, though in it's infancy, offers a homespun
harvest of delicious and high quality wine products.
an industry which, though in it's infancy, offers a homespun
harvest of delicious and high quality wine products.
It's a pleasant November evening and the warm glow of the Summerside Winery showroom
welcomes a meeting of six pioneers in the craft of Grand Country wine making. The showroom is
tastefully decorated with leather furniture, tasting areas and tables brimming over with
interesting gifts and bottles of wine and glasses all garnished with ornamental grape vines.
Gathered around a classic wooden bar, the fellow winemakers discuss the next years shipment
of new vines which will compliment their ever expanding vineyards. Among them include Gary
Butler of Summerside Winery, Rob Harris owner of Cabin Creek Winery, Tim Decker from Oak
Hills Winery, Val Saamer of Grand Lake Vineyard and Laurance Shulze of Coyote Run
welcomes a meeting of six pioneers in the craft of Grand Country wine making. The showroom is
tastefully decorated with leather furniture, tasting areas and tables brimming over with
interesting gifts and bottles of wine and glasses all garnished with ornamental grape vines.
Gathered around a classic wooden bar, the fellow winemakers discuss the next years shipment
of new vines which will compliment their ever expanding vineyards. Among them include Gary
Butler of Summerside Winery, Rob Harris owner of Cabin Creek Winery, Tim Decker from Oak
Hills Winery, Val Saamer of Grand Lake Vineyard and Laurance Shulze of Coyote Run
The Name
is in The Vine
Those fancy French words
that grace the labels of
every good bottle of wine
originate with from the
name of the actual vine that
produced its' grapes. Of the
nearly 10,000 varieties of
grapes, here are some of
the ones grapes that
produce the wine that
comes out from of Grand
Country. Cynthiana,
Chardoelle, Cab Sauv,
Catawba, Seyval, Vidal,
Chambourcin, Vignoles,
Niagra, Rourgeon,
Traminette, Shiraz, and
Merlot.
is in The Vine
Those fancy French words
that grace the labels of
every good bottle of wine
originate with from the
name of the actual vine that
produced its' grapes. Of the
nearly 10,000 varieties of
grapes, here are some of
the ones grapes that
produce the wine that
comes out from of Grand
Country. Cynthiana,
Chardoelle, Cab Sauv,
Catawba, Seyval, Vidal,
Chambourcin, Vignoles,
Niagra, Rourgeon,
Traminette, Shiraz, and
Merlot.
Winery. Agriculture, art and science seldom come together in such
a synergy as in the production of a fine wine. That same fusion
extends beyond the craft and into the relationship between
craftsmen. Although they represent separate wineries, they're not
like competitors you would expect in any other industry. Instead, they
are like fellow musicians or artists who gather regularly to share the
standards and secrets of their trade. The goal is not to compete, but
to compliment; to grow together and to perfect their gift to the world
of wine lovers everywhere.
Their relaxed manner and casual banter belies tremendous amount
of passion and sweat that goes into producing great grapes and
great bottles of wine. Growing grapes is after all a farming operation;
complete with weather disappointments and pest control. Each
vineyard has several acres rowed with a variety of vines originating
from as s far as California. There are nearly 12 acres of vines
among all of the Grand Country wineries. That may not sound like
much until you consider that one acre will produce three to four tons
of grapes at harvest. Harvest parties serve as an effective incentive
in attracting helpful hands to pick the grapes. Free wine, food and
good times are enough to keep the 25 or so harvesters at each
vineyard happy until all the grapes are brought in. As much work as
it all involves, there just doesn't seem to be any step in the process
that doesn't include a little fun.
a synergy as in the production of a fine wine. That same fusion
extends beyond the craft and into the relationship between
craftsmen. Although they represent separate wineries, they're not
like competitors you would expect in any other industry. Instead, they
are like fellow musicians or artists who gather regularly to share the
standards and secrets of their trade. The goal is not to compete, but
to compliment; to grow together and to perfect their gift to the world
of wine lovers everywhere.
Their relaxed manner and casual banter belies tremendous amount
of passion and sweat that goes into producing great grapes and
great bottles of wine. Growing grapes is after all a farming operation;
complete with weather disappointments and pest control. Each
vineyard has several acres rowed with a variety of vines originating
from as s far as California. There are nearly 12 acres of vines
among all of the Grand Country wineries. That may not sound like
much until you consider that one acre will produce three to four tons
of grapes at harvest. Harvest parties serve as an effective incentive
in attracting helpful hands to pick the grapes. Free wine, food and
good times are enough to keep the 25 or so harvesters at each
vineyard happy until all the grapes are brought in. As much work as
it all involves, there just doesn't seem to be any step in the process
that doesn't include a little fun.
Wine making is a long term commitment. Each testifies to the fact that from the first vines in the
ground to the first bottles ready to pop, there is at least five years. Time may be the most important
ingredient in a great wine. No one here is in a hurry though. The seasons will change soon enough,
new vines will go into the soil and more wine will rise from the heart and soul of Oklahoma's
vineyards, thanks to the passion and dedication of the people of the Grand Wine Country.
For info on winery contact information and events, including tours and tasting, visit
www.grandwinecountry.com.
ground to the first bottles ready to pop, there is at least five years. Time may be the most important
ingredient in a great wine. No one here is in a hurry though. The seasons will change soon enough,
new vines will go into the soil and more wine will rise from the heart and soul of Oklahoma's
vineyards, thanks to the passion and dedication of the people of the Grand Wine Country.
For info on winery contact information and events, including tours and tasting, visit
www.grandwinecountry.com.
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