![]() ![]() Grapes that have just come in from the vineyard aren’t clean. The ability to shape a wine’s final flavor and character, an ambivalence about technology and a deep understanding of the intricacies of a region’s terroir are things that most winemakers and wine lovers can get behind.ĭespite any squeamishness that some may have to drink fermented juice that has come into contact with a stranger’s foot, it’s perfectly sanitary. “It also allows us to avoid the over extraction and sappiness that accompany the mechanically pressed reds we grow, like Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira and Syrah.” Stomping at Los Pilares/Photo courtesy Los Pilares But … what about the feet? “Treading is the only way to get the characteristic Mouchão trait our wines are known for,” says Iain Richardson, whose family has owned Herdade do Mouchão for six generations in Portugal. Meanwhile, many producers in Portugal and Spain have maintained their grape-stomping traditions, in part because of the types of grapes that thrive in their exceedingly dry terroir. According to general manager Craig Camp, direct physical contact with the grapes is the most practical way to control the grape’s structure and flavor development. Troon Vineyard, a Demeter-certified biodynamic winery in Oregon’s Applegate Valley, also employs foot-treading for its red, white and rosé wines. “We find it adds more complexity, allows the vineyard site to shine through and also adds more spice and texture to the wines.” ![]() “Foot treading is especially important if you do full-cluster fermentation, as we do,” says Delaski. David Delaski, winemaker at the Demeter-certified Solminer in Los Olivos, California, leaves red grapes and even many of its white varieties, especially Grüner Veltliner, on skins for weeks to encourage color and flavor development. Stomping also encourages greater skin contact, proponents say. “I want control over how many berries break, or how they break,” says Spark. One such advocate is James Spark, winemaker at Liquid Farm and his own brand, Kings Carey, both in Santa Barbara County, California. Winemakers in the US that gravitate toward this ancient, low-tech technique also tend to espouse low-intervention, organic or biodynamic production methods. “So foot-treading adds stem tannin and structure.” “ head-trained, dry-farmed vineyard, depending on what happened that year in terms of weather, our Cabernet can be a pinch soft on the palate,” says Thacher. He even walks all over Cabernet Sauvignon. Thacher says that with varieties like Cinsault and Counoise, they employ 100% whole cluster and foot stomping, and stomp varying amounts for Mourvèdre and Syrah, depending on the vintage. ![]() OUTSIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGES - The event will include a food truck and beverage sales (wine, beer, soda, and water will be available for purchase), no outside food or beverages are allowed at the Grape Stomp.Įvent will be held rain or shine (no refunds will be given unless the event is required to be canceled due to COVID-19).“Depending on the berry structure, we will foot stomp the whole cluster portion and then destem and sort on top,” says Sherman Thacher, co-owner / winemaker of Thacher Winery & Vineyard in Paso Robles, California. Smoking is only allowed in the designated smoking area. SMOKING - Crooked Lane Farm is a non-smoking property. Please do not leave animals in your vehicles. PETS - With the exception of service animals, pets and companion animals will not be admitted to the Grape Stomp. Only those with a green wristband will be allowed to purchase or consume alcohol at Grape Stomp. ![]() WRISTBANDS - Wristbands will be issued at the entrance to the "Grape Stomp" (green for 21 and over and red for under 21). Available online with your advance ticket purchase or at the Grape Stomp. GRAPE STOMP T-SHIRTS - Grape Stomp t-shirts ($10 online - $16 at the event) and racerback tank tops ($11 online - $17 at the event) will be available this year for purchase. All team members are required to sign the Grape Stomp Waiver-Release on the day of the event. Instead, the team who produces the greatest volume of juice (from all the heats) will be crowned the Grape Stomp Champion and will receive six bottles of wine (three for each team member). This year, there will not be a championship round. Prizes will be given to the winning team from each heat. The grape stomp competition will begin at 1:30PM (four teams will stomp at a time). Team members must be of legal drinking age to participate in the stomp. GRAPE STOMP COMPETITION - TEAMS OF TWO are invited to sign up for the competition. Tickets are available at the gate, but if you order your tickets online before July 15 you will receive a commemorative Dakota Vines Vineyard and Winery and Crooked Lane Farm stemless wine glass.įestival (with dozens of local vendors/crafters, food truck, and beverage sales) begins at 11:00 AM. FRIENDS! We are SO excited for our third annual “Grape Stomp” on Saturday, August 13th. ![]()
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