There are few places, I have found, that are as interesting or welcoming, as the many vineyards and wineries located right here in the great state of Oklahoma. From the sprawling hills and trees of Green Country, to the Great Plains where the winds blow and the view seems to never end, no matter where your travels may take you in Oklahoma, you can probably find a winery somewhere nearby. So was the case when my girlfriend and I saddled up the "grey ghost" and trekked East, towards McAlester in search of Whispering Meadows Vineyards and Winery.
Whispering Meadows is located in the historic downtown district of McAlester, where time has seemed to forgotten these buildings lined up and down the street, and there is a sense of small town camaraderie. A place where folks were still bustling up and down the street, greeting one another and chatting lively, even amidst the looming storm clouds building overhead, that would eventually give way to a much needed down pour. As we took in these timeless relics, and quickly scanned the streets to dodge the ensuing storm, we found ourselves in front of Whispering Meadows, a former jewelry store turned winery, that was built sometime between 1901 and 1903. Seeing the grey ghost parked a few blocks away, and the rapidly building thunderhead just about ready to burst atop our heads, we quickly decided to stroll in and sit a spell.
The first thing I noticed as I walked in, barely missing the now monsoon like conditions outside, was how this winery seemed to have come alive as we stepped inside. The gift shop housed tons of Made in Oklahoma merchandise, as well as a wide assortment of gourmet foods, including cheeses, wine biscuits, jellies, chocolates and pickled veggies. You could purchase postcards, magnets, books, even a really neat metal toolbox with colorful paintings depicting Oklahoma on the outside. Of course, we would visit the gift shop later, as first things first, we were interested in tasting.
The tasting bar was beautifully constructed, made for the purpose of serving, as well as to give patrons a lesson in wine etiquette. The hostess was a very kind woman, who gave us a sample of every type of wine they currently had in stock. My girlfriend and I were both very impressed, not only at how great everything tasted, but how all the wines seemed to finish clean, with no aftertaste like some wines have that leave you smacking your chops looking for something to rinse with. As far as tasting went, my favorite was definitely the peach wine-tini, a delicious frozen concoction made in a margarita machine housed at the bar, that made me quickly forget how warm and humid it was outside.
After tasting the wines, the hostess took us on a tour of the building. She showed us where they made the wine, as well as the practices they used, that makes Whispering Meadows taste so good. We were shown upstairs, where the original carved walls and ceilings of over 100 years ago were still in place. Our tour also included a peek at the two original jewelry safes that were built with the building, as well as the back of the building with the largest screen door I have ever seen. Once our tour was over, we ordered a peach wine-tini, and strolled back upstairs, to sit in a couple of big comfortable leather chairs, watch the rain, and enjoy our drink.
Afterwards, we browsed the gift shop, as well as the banquet room, which is available to rent. We picked up a couple of magnets, a book and, of course, two bottles of wine as well as a mix to make our own peach wine-tinis at home. As the rain took a break, we made our way back towards my truck, conversing happily down the sidewalk about our latest discovery. Whether it is raining or sunny, the next time we were in McAlester, we would definitely be back to Whispering Meadows Vineyards and Winery.
Whispering Meadows is located in McAlester, Oklahoma at 34 E. Choctaw Avenue in the heart of downtown. 918-423-WINE
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