California Grape Stomps Celebrate the Crush, It's a Rush

Annual Grape Stomps in California provide an exciting experience enjoyed by all ages. Several of the grape stomp events have categories for children so they get to feel the soft grapes squish between their feet and get to stomp on the precious grapes to see what it's like to make grape juice or wine. Of course nobody drinks the products made from these events. It is strictly done for enjoyment and entertainment, but you get to understand how wine once was made before mechanization and how the time honored tradition became so important to those who sought this desirable beverage.  In California, wine-making spans the entire state and has become an important industry, along with table grapes, to the California economy both for sales, exports and tourism.

2012 GRAPE STOMPS

ARROYO GRANDE Grape Stomp September  29, 2012
Ag Harvest Festival  agharvestfestival.com

ESCONDIDO  September 8, 2012  Grape Day Stomp
 Grape Day Park in downtown Escondido, 321 N. Broadway, Escondido CA 92025 Call: 760 743-8207.  The Grape Day Festival and Parade takes place on the Saturday after Labor Day.  For early birds, the Grape Day 5k fun run at 7:30 is the way to start your day The short Grape Day Parade begins at 9:30 on Grand Avenue and travels from Escondido Blvd to Juniper. It includes marching bands, walking groups, equestrians and historic automobiles. The festival in the park is from 9:30 until 4pm. It features grape stomping, free grapes provided by Jimbos Naturally, an entertainment stage highlighting dance from around the world, vendor booths, an international food court, demonstrations, a beer garden, and more! Grape Day started in 1908 as a way to celebrate Escondido's grape harvest and promote the city. It flourished until 1950, and then was revived by the History Center in 1996.  escondidohistory.org

ESCONDIDO  August 25, 2012, 4 to 8 p.m.  Orfila Grape Stomp
13455 San Pasqual Road, Escondido, California
orfila.com
Enjoy fun, friends, food & wine at the 19th annual event.

JULIAN Come Stomp the Grapes Grape Stomp Festa  September 1, 2012 
11am to 7pm
Menghini Winery
1150 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, CA
$10 adults 21 and over (includes a commemorative wine glass $5 ages 20 to 6, 5 and under free
Phone: (760) 765-1857

Every September, the Julian Grape Stomp Festa celebrates the harvest of the grapes at the Menghini Winery. This grape stomp out-does all others by providing two barrels for stomping--one for adults and one for children. The event is sponsored by the Julian Chamber of Commerce.  Tons of grapes are blessed then poured into the barrels. The atmosphere is created with Italian music by Roman Holiday, dancing, Bocci Ball competitions, stomping, wine , a Jumbo Jump for the kids and a variety of food and crafts for sale will keep you busy. Situated in rolling hills covered with vineyards and apple orchards, the Menghini Winery offers an ideal setting for the Festa.  The Grape Stomp Festa is a Julian Chamber of Commerce fund raiser and has been for the last fifteen years. The festa draws approximately 2000 people each year. The proceeds from the event pays for marketing the town, cleaning the streets, maintaining the public restrooms and funding historic preservation projects and events.

MURPHYS October 6, 2012   Calaveras Grape Stomp 
9:30 - 5 p.m. At Murphys Community Park, Murphys, CA. Call: (209) 754-0127.    calaverasgrapestomp.com

NAPA   August 25, 2012  Harvest STOMP
Celebration: Kick up your heels with the Napa Valley Grapegrowers at the best harvest party of the year - the 2012 Harvest STOMP! Dance to live entertainment; dine on exhibition-style, local cuisine; drink the world’s best wines; and bid on exclusive, one-of-a-kind Napa Valley experiences in the live auction. Wear your boots, cowboy hat, and party pants - this is one event you don’t want to miss! Hosted by Napa Valley Grapegrowers, at Trefethen Family Vineyards 1160 Oak Knoll Avenue, Napa Fee: Call for information & tickets Time: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Phone Number: (707) 944.8311

 NAPA  September 15, 2012 Clos Du Val Grape Stomp
STOMP your way to good health at our Annual Grape Stomp and Harvest Cookout! Heart-rate-raising activities include grape-picking and grape-stomping competitions for — you guessed it! — yummy liquid prizes. 5330 Silverado Trail, Napa CA Fee: Call for information Time: Call for information & reservations Phone Number: 707-261-5251

NAPA   October 13, 2012  Verismo Wines Harvest Stomp
It's a party and a celebration, Benefit to  raise money for local schools in Napa. This year fundraisers seeks to double last year's proceed by offering   fun playing games, stomping on grapes, raffle prizes, live music and amazing wines from a private cellar will be raffled off. 100 Rapp Lane, Napa CA 94558 Fee: $50 Time: 2pm-6pm Phone Number: 707-224-0191

LIVERMORE  Red Feather Winery October 13, 2012 Grape Picking and Stomp Party! October 13, 2012 Address: 5700 Greenville Road, Livermore, CA 94550  Help by being a winemaker for the day! You'll get to pick grapes, destem grapes and stomp grapes! All with sipping wine and enjoying a BBQ rib lunch! We'll stomp grapes to music by MusicLore from 1-4. Picking is in the morning from 9-11. Entrance fee includes lunch, a glass of estate wine and a fun time! Come to both experiences or just one. picking from 9-11 breakfast included and a glass of Connie's cab-tini or mimosa. Stomping grapes from 1-4 lunch included and a glass of estate wine.  ATimes: 9am-4pm Admission: $25 Contact: Connie Davis Phone: 510-861-2722 Email: connie@redfeatherwinery.com

NAPA    October 20, 2012 Annual  Harvest Party at Bourassa Vineyards
Join another Grape Stomping Harvest Party at Bourassa Vineyards! Live Music Bourassa Vineyards Wines Napa Smith Beer Roast Pig On site Wood Fire Pizza Kitchen Cigars and Port! 190 Camino Oruga, Napa CA Fee: $75/$40 Wine Club Members Time: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Phone Number: 707-254-4922, bourassavineyards.com

PASO ROBLES October 19-20, 2012  Opolo Grape Stomp
Opolo Vineyards, 7110 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles, CA Phone: 805-238-9593. opolo.com
Opolo's Famous Harvest Party - In between grape stomping, ethnic folk dancing, gypsy serenades and Opolo wine, you'll be treated to the finest food in North County.

PASO ROBLES  October 19-22, 2012  Harvest Wine Weekend Grape Stomp  3rd weekend in October, Paso Robles Wine Country opens its doors and invites you into the vineyard and onto the crush pad to experience the breadth of activities surrounding the busiest time of year.  pasowine.com

ST. HELENA   August 18, 2012  Annual Grape Stomp competition! Harvest Brunch and Vineyard Walk Celebration, Wine Education: Join us at the Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford House to celebrate Harvest Season. Enjoy a day in the vineyard, food and wine pairings and fun activities including 1960 St. Helena Highway, Rutherford, CA Fee: $10 Vineyard Walk/$45 Brunch Time: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.  Call to RSVP: 800-373-5896, bvwines.com

ST. HELENA  You Pick It, You Stomp It, Schweiger Vineyards
Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012
Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 
Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012
Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012 
Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012  
Old Fashion Harvest Stomp at Schweiger Vineyards Celebration: Participate in the Napa Valley fall harvest! You're invited to a day of Brix testing, picking and stomping at Schweiger Vineyards, followed by a catered lunch. The Schweiger lug box is yours to keep. Bring your family, friends and work colleagues and have a blast. 4015 Spring Mountain Road, St. Helena Fee: $125 per Guest/$100 per Club Member Time: 10am-2pm Phone Number: 707-963-4882

ST. HELENA  Harvest Grape Stomp September - October
Grgich Hills Estate‎ 1829 St Helena Hwy S Saint Helena, CA 94574 (800) 532-3057  grgich.com‎  Harvest Grape Stomp $10,  $18 Stomp & T-shirt. Kick off your shoes and stomp grapes. Harvest is usually September through the end of October but please call ahead to confirm that they have grapes to stomp.

SAN JOSE  August 25-26, 2012  Italian Family Festa Grape Stomp 

Italian Family Festa, Grape Stomp, Bocce Ball, Unique Arts & Crafts, Fun Activities for the Entire Family, Live Continuous Entertainment, Italian Sweet and Savory Specialty Foods, Wine, Beer and Soft Drinks. Time: Sat. Noon - 9 p.m.; Sun. Noon  to 6 p.m. Location: Guadalupe River Park, San Jose, CA. Free.  iahfsj.org

SANTA ROSA October 5-7, 2012 World Championship Grape Stomp    
 Grape Stomp Teams (one stomper & one swabby) compete for a fabulous grand prize. The Stomper stands in a barrel full of grapes and squishes out the juice using their feet. The Swabby stands below the barrel and keeps the juice flowing into the jug, pulling grape skins away from the screen, and pushing juice toward the pipe. Team T-shirts and costumes are encouraged; a special award for creative costuming is given out for each stomp. Winners from stomps around the country (and the world) travel to the Sonoma County Harvest Fair to compete for the World Championship title. There is one stomp reserved for teams ages 13 & under -- The winners of the World Championship Grape Stomp will received a Grand Prize of 4 airline tickets good for any Horizon or Alaska Airlines regular scheduled service. Sonoma County Harvest Fair 1350 Bennett Valley Rd. Santa Rosa, CA.  10 a.m. to 7 p.m.   (usually held first weekend in October)  Call: (707) 545-4203, harvestfair.org

SANTA YNEZ  September 22, 2012  The Great Grape Stomp 
Santa Ynez Kalyra's annual Great Grape Stomp features barefoot grape stomping, incredible food, flowing wine, live music, vineyard hay rides, and reserve tastings by the winemaker. This event sells out each year.  $40. Location:  343 N.Refugio Rd., Santa Ynez CA. Call: (805) 693-8864,  kalyrawinery.com

SANTA YNEZ    September 22, 2012 Barefoot Grapestomp
Crush Party 11am-4pm.  A lively celebration of the Art of Winemaking! Enjoy an afternoon of grape-picking in the vineyard, cooking demonstrations, wine aroma demonstration, special barrel-tastings, barrel-building demonstration, the infamous BAREFOOT GRAPE STOMP, hay-rides through the vineyard, award winning Gainey wines, a souvenir wine glass, and our special Tri-Tip and Chicken Santa Ynez style Barbecue, a live band and dancing. Call (805)688-0558 ext. 0 $85 per person all-inclusive.  Gainey Vineyard, 3950 East Highway 246 Santa Ynez, CA. gaineyvineyard.com

SONOMA  September 29-30, 2012  Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival Grape Stomp
Includes both adult and youth grape stomps!  2012 Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival Grape Stomp    Children's  Stomp (Up to 12 years of age) Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 or Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012 The number of teams will be limited to 30 teams. Each team of 2 children must have 1 adult with them at all times during the stomping competition. Stomping both days will start at 2 p.m. and the heats will continue until the children's champion is crowned.  Adult Stomp Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 and Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012 The number of teams will be limited to 30 teams. Stomping both days will be immediately following the children's competition. The Grand Prize adult winner will win two tickets to 2013 Vintage Festival Opening Night Gala and possible additional prizes. $25 for each adult team, $20 for each kids team. Checks should be payable to: Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival. Completed entry form & check to be mailed to: VOM Grape Stomp P.O. Box 652 Sonoma 95476 or brought to the festival providing there is room in the stomp for that day. Call (707) 996-2109 or e mail: grapestomp@sonomavinfest.org.The stomp goes on rain or shine.

TEMECULA  September 30, 2012  Annual Ponte Winery Grape Stomp 
4 to 8 p.m. 35053 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, CA  pontewinery.com

TEMECULA  September 23, 2012  Mount Palomar Winery Grape Stomp  33820 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, CA 92591
mountpalomar.com

YORKVILLE  August 4, 2012  Yorkville Highlands Wine Festival and Grape Stomp 

Yorkville Highlands Wine Festival. Annual event with barrel races, grape stomp, music, food, over 30 wineries, and more. Over 30 local wines poured. Pit BBQ, live music, grape stomp, highlands games, rare large bottle silent auction. Kid and pet friendly. Fun activities for the whole family.  Address 19750 Hwy 128, Yorkville, CA 95494 Call:(707) 895.2341. yorkvillehighlands.org  Noon to 5 p.m.
 

OLD EVENTS

SOLVANG

Grape Stomping Party  November 5, 2011
Location: Sevtap Winery
Address: 1576 Copenhagen Drive #1, Solvang, CA 93463
Grape stomping at the Sevtap Winery, live music, food wine tasting and barrel samples! Only 75 tickets will be sold! Discounted Taxi service available from the Tasting room in Solvang. Contact Sevtap Tasting room for reservation, there will be no tickets sale at the day of the event! Contact (805) 693-9200

Napa Grape Stomps
Temecula Grape Stomps

• Harvest STOMP 2011 August 27, 2011,  5 to 10 p.m. Beckstoffer Historic Missouri Hopper Vineyard, 7317 St. Helena Highway, Oakville, CA
• Clos Du Val Grape Stomp September 17, 2011, 5330 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA Fee: Call  (707) 261-5251
• South Coast Winery Grape Stomp & Harvest Celebration includes Blessing of the Wine September 25, 2011. 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, California. wineresort.com
• Wilson Creek Winery October 2, 2011 Sip, Savor & Stomp
  35960 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, CA 92591
  951.699.WINE (9463)  wilsoncreekwinery.com 
• Lorimar Winery Grape Stomp & Harvest Festival  September TBA  Lorimar Wines - Tasting Room Address 42031 Main St. Suite # C Temecula, CA. lorimarwinery.com
• Soledad Mission Annual Grape Stomp - soledadchamber.com
• Oak Mountain Winery Grape Stomp (oakmountainwinery.com). Oak Mountain Winery hosts their annual Grape Stomp with a BBQ, wine, live entertainment and grape stomping. All stompers will receive a bottle of grape stomp wine.
• South Coast Winery Blessing of the Wine Grape Stomp and Harvest Celebration (wineresort.com). Celebrate the Harvest with an authentic Blessing of the Wines Celebration. Enjoy wine, feast on BBQ, fresh salads, and homemade cobbler. Take tractor-pulled hayrides through the vineyards, dance and enjoy live entertainment, grape stomping contests, face painting, hot air balloon rides and so much more.
• Sip, Savor & Stomp at Wilson Creek Winery (wilsoncreekwinery.com) in October. Sip amongst the vines, savor the wine country cuisine, and stomp grapes. Enjoy wines, appetizers, hay rides, wine country buffet dinner, live entertainment and grape stomping in your bare feet.

 Grape stomping was once the actual method in which wine grapes were crushed, but today it is just pure fun. Grape stomps in the U.S. are performed in special events and ceremonies strictly for entertainment -- regulations  do not permit use of the wine crushed by human bare feet or with shoes on. Even if your winery is named Barefoot Wines (and there is one such winery,) you aren't going to sell grape stomp wine.

Crush is an exciting term in wine regions. It signifies several things. First, it is associated with the season when grapes are picked and crushed. The first crush is a term you may here, and there are numerous wines that take on a sweet and fruity flavor from the fall harvest and crush of new wines. Countries such as Germany are well known for the sweet, fall crush wines that offer intoxicating, tasty dessert characteristics.

In California's  numerous Wine Country regions celebrate harvests in many ways, including festivals, grape stomps and street fairs. 

If you remember the classic "I Love Lucy" 1956 black & white  episode, "Lucy's Italian Movie" (also known as the "Grape-stomping", you are among millions who associate grape stomps with hilarious grape throwing fights depicted in the episode in which Lucy, Ricky, Ethel and Fred go to Italy. An Italian producer there offers Lucy a role in a film called "Bitter Grapes." She takes her assignment seriously, so she heads for a vineyard to experience a grape stomp first-hand. Lucy gets pushed into the grapes, her skin turns  purple with stains and her dreams of a successful film career are dashed.