We all like to relax and unwind with a good glass of wine now and then, but sometimes the bar gets boring and staying at home by the fireplace is just kind of anticlimactic. Why not turn your love of wine into a carefree and exciting getaway by visiting a winery located right here in the states? Although California is a Mecca for wine lovers, there are plenty of other high-quality wineries all over the country. The south central region of Oklahoma is a great place to start for your wine-tasting vacation, so check out these top three wineries for a fun-filled trip:
1. Rusty Nail Winery
In historic downtown Sulphur, the Rusty Nail Winery was a hardware store in its previous incarnation. Three women own and operate the winery, and their love for fabulous footwear is evident in the names of their wines, most of which are based on types of shoes. (Try the Peep Toe Chardonnay or The Stiletto White Merlot). A special, signature feature of the shoes pictured on the label is that they all have a rusty nail for a heel, adding a unique touch to your bottle. While you’re in the area, be sure to pop in the Chickasaw Cultural Center, just moments from the winery.
2. Canadian River Vineyards and Winery
About an hour north of the Rusty Nail is the Canadian River Vineyards and Winery, in Lexington. This winery features a beautiful deck overlooking the vineyard, which offers a great gathering spot for you and some of your closest friends. The wine at Canadian River is made fresh from grapes grown locally throughout the state of Oklahoma, which gives it that special signature taste you’ll want to take home with you. Visit the tasting room and gift shop while you’re there, and learn all about the process of how grapes become wine by taking a guided tour of the vineyards and winery.
3. Greenfield Vineyard
An hour northeast, in Chandler, is the breathtaking Greenfield Vineyard. This wine-tasting heaven features a picturesque facility with a second-story balcony overlooking the expansive vineyard below. Visitors can view the countryside from this perspective while sipping on the premium estate wines for which the winery is known. The vineyard offers tours of the site along with special events for groups. While the winery is open from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and is open late every third Friday, the proprietors are flexible and encourage people to call to arrange a visit, if normal operating hours won’t work.
Oklahoma makes it easy to spend a day sampling the delicious wines each winery produces. Many wineries are either along or within a short drive of Oklahoma highways. Be sure to add more variety to your trip by visiting other nearby sites in this region of Oklahoma, and reserve a limo or party bus for your adventure to ensure safe and carefree traveling.