Gander Way Vineyards & Winery, LLC

For those of you that saw the film August: Osage County starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, upon visiting Gander Way you may feel as if you have stepped into the casting set. We sure did. The countryside around this area is “Oklahoma-breathtaking” and really leaves you feeling a sense of calm and relaxation. This, our friends, is “Oklahoma-breathtaking”.

The winery is owned by Mike and Jan Trower and is a true family affair. They have enlisted the help of their daughter, son, son-in-law, grandparents and nephews! In Mike’s past life he was in the telephone bussiness of sorts. He told us that he had some land that was sitting there doing nothing and wanted to find an endevour that the whole family could work together and enjoy. He gave us a chuckle when he said, “Well, I went crazy one day!” when referring to taking the leap at starting their own vineyard and winery.

They began their journey in 2005, readying the vineyard and planting 2,200 grape vines in the Spring of 2006. Mike said that he wouldn’t recommend this approach of planting so many vines at one time to someone just starting out, but in their case, they had no choice. They had placed an order to be delivered in staggering fashion, but were surprised to find them all delivered at the same time. Of course, the vines had to be planted or they would die and the lost investment would have been tremendous. So off they went, planting, planting and more planting. The Trower family grow six different varietals (Villard Blanc, Concord, Niagra, Cynthiana, Chambourcin, Chardonel), use all of their fruit in their own wines and have to purchase grapes and grape juice from other Oklahoma and Arkansas vineyards. They currently have 5-1/4 acres planted of their total 20 acres.

If you head out for a visit, we recommend that you go on a Saturday and come around lunch time….and hungry. They serve a mean spread! Jan Trower prepares a home cooked meal that currently goes for $9.50 and includes several choices for the main entree, salad and a desert choice. Of course we had to give it a try…..delicious! Check their website for the latest menu. And don’t forget to sample the wine!

So, for you fellow Oklahoma wine lovers, you should definitely take the time to visit Gander Way. It’s in your own backyard! And for anyone else passing through Oklahoma with a bit of time on your hands, give this winery a try. Maybe then you will see what we mean by “Oklahoma-breathtaking”.

And don’t forget….come hungry and thirsty!