Stillwater’s Woodland Park Vineyards and Winery a site to see

Elaine Warner
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND May 04, 2008 12:00 am

— In 1999 you could count the number of Oklahoma wineries on the fingers of one hand. Today, it would take you and five of your friends using almost all your fingers to keep track of the number, and each winery has something a little different to offer.
I recently visited Woodland Park Vine-yards and Winery in Stillwater and discovered a variety of elements making it an outstanding destination for an afternoon’s outing.
The vines may be new — less than 10 years old — but the roots here are deep. The property was purchased by Jeanette Hane’s grandparents in the 1920s. Owners Jeanette and Ivol Hane both came from farming backgrounds. Jeanette’s childhood chores included working in her parents’ gardens and orchards. The land had several uses from a dairy farm to a landscape nursery.
“I kept it (as a landscape nursery) for 15 or 20 years — so it’s not a big step to growing any crop,” Jeanette said. The Hanes began growing grapes in 2000 and opened the winery in 2005.
Unlike a number of Oklahoma wineries, they grow all their own grapes. They grow Chardonnay, Riesling and Merlot grapes and hybrid Chambourcin and Vignoles and they’ve recently planted Chardonel and Traminette vines. A small winery, Woodland Park typically produces about 1,500 gallons a year. Jeanette said their most popular wines are their Homestead, a sweet red made from Chambourcin grapes, Vignoles, a sweet white and White Riesling.
“Wine beginners often like a sweeter wine,” she said. “With people who know a bit more about wine, the White Riesling is a favorite.”
Vines are planted in several different areas on the property. This adds diversity to the varieties. Different soils and variations in temperature, even minute variations, affect the flavors, giving to each batch the quality known as “terroir.” This gives Ivol a lot of latitude in producing wines.
Woodland Park is more than just a winery. The Hanes also have several acres of fruits and berries, including elderberries, blackberries, apples, pears and plums. Ornamental gardens feature antique roses while the herb garden provides condiments for the kitchen.
Visitors are blessed by this bounty. Lunch is available Wednesday through Saturday. Menus are planned around seasonal produce, much of which is grown on the farm. Bread is fresh-baked and jellies and jams come from home-grown fruits. Jeanette adds her own touches to traditional recipes.
Quiches, soups and salads are staples. The day I visited, choices included sausage and apple quiche; mushroom, green pepper and onion quiche (both served with baby greens salad) or butter beans with tomato and peppers served with Christian cheddar cheese and toasted rosemary bread. I was too late for lunch but brought home a loaf of fresh-baked apricot fruit bread which quickly disappeared.
In addition to being a spectacular cook, Jeanette is a gifted artist — so the vineyard/winery/restaurant also is an art gallery. The dining area is decorated with a series of fabric works featuring photo collages depicting family members and memories. The first, called “A River Runs Through,” depicts “how agriculture has affected our family,” she said. Others show “Men and Machinery,” including a shot of her dad sitting on a tractor stuck in the mud, and “Structures and Buildings” of the early 1900s.
Elsewhere in the building are examples of her batik work, photography, stamping and printing. Her work ranges from representational to abstract, providing visual interest and excitement. Currently she also has a display of her daughter Diana’s quilting — obviously the artistic talent was passed on.
Woodland Park Vineyards and Winery is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Wine tasting is free with the purchase of wine and tours of the winery are given on Saturdays.
Woodland Park is northeast of downtown Stillwater. From Interstate 35, take Exit 174 East onto Highway 51. Go east for 17 miles to Jardot Road; turn north and drive approximately 2.5 miles. The winery is on the east side of the road.

ELAINE WARNER is an Edmond resident.

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