(Oklahoma Wine Country - 2003)

 

After going through my first grape harvest, I certainly have a new respect for farmers of all kinds. I already knew of all the work that grape vines demanded from pre-planting trellis building to pruning awry vines to repelling all God’s creatures with all man’s sprays. But I was unprepared for the unnerving time right before harvest when the grapes are constantly tested for sugar content, when the deer and the antelope have nothing else on their minds but those sweetening morsels, and when at any moment you could be told that you would be getting up before daybreak the next morning to pick.

 

It was in fact nerve-racking as the growers held their breath until (literally) the fruits of their labor were safely turned over to the wine maker’s capable hands.  But don’t let me mislead you. It was also fun. There were always plenty of volunteers, plenty of good humor, and afterwards, plenty of great home-cooked food.  Celebratory breakfasts with a celebratory beer or two (it was too early for wine and hey, it IS still Oklahoma!)  It was an experience that I, my husband and four of my five children will never forget. Ben, my three-year old, has likely already forgotten.

 

With all the harvesting, crushing and pressing, we still made time to move forward on our renovation project of the old Tidal School building in Drumright. If you are in that area, be sure to peek in at our progress, or you can keep updated on our website, 

www.tidalschool.com. 

 

We are certainly keeping busy, but we love it.  Our dream of helping to create two new industries in Oklahoma is taking shape before our eyes. We invite you to share in that dream, and enjoy life with a bottle of wine - Oklahoma wine!