Grapevine’s GrapeFest wraps up four days of wine, good times
Large crowds enjoyed beautiful weather, delicious wines, live entertainment and family fun during the 29th Annual GrapeFest held Sept. 17-20.
With a salute to the wines of Texas, and the added experience of select wine from Oregon and Argentina, attendees celebrated along Historic Main Street throughout the four-day festival.
One of the most popular events, GrapeStomp, returned with feet flying fast as teams of two stomped 18 pounds of grapes for two minutes throughout the weekend. Festival-goers gathered around the competition stage and cheered on the competitors.
The quality of these wines, paired with the opportunity to talk with Texas winemakers and winery representatives, showcases one of the most unique wine tasting experiences in the nation.
Doug Evans
co-chair of the 29th Annual GrapeFestWinners of the GrapeStomp daily sessions competed in the Grand Champion Stomp-Off on Sept. 20. Defending champions Lam Nguyen and Jorge Bermeo, both of Dallas, received the Coveted Purple Foot Award for the second time. The team stomped a total of 35 ounces in the Grand Champion Stomp Off.
Held on Sept. 19, the 2015 Mayoral GrapeStomp featured 12 teams from across North Texas including Colleyville, Combine, Euless, Grapevine, Haslet, North Richland Hills, Pantego and Trophy Club as well as a team from Grapevine’s Sister City of Parras de la Fuente, Mexico.
The winners of the Most Juice Stomped Award, with 24 ounces, was the team from Colleyville featuring Mayor Pro Tem Mike Taylor and Councilmember Jody Short.
Other winners included the team from Parras with the Best Costume Depicting Your Community award and the team from Haslet with the Sloppiest Stomper award.
Guests participating in the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the nation, had the opportunity to sample 162 wines from 43 Texas wineries. After sampling the wines, guests then voted on their favorites in 10 categories.
The People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic was “the perfect opportunity for festival guests to taste a variety of premium Texas wines. The quality of these wines, paired with the opportunity to talk with Texas winemakers and winery representatives, showcases one of the most unique wine tasting experiences in the nation,” said Doug Evans, who with his wife Laurie were festival co-chairs.
The winners of the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic were:
White Wines: Blend
Gold: Llano Estacado Winery – Signature White, 2014
Silver: St. Rose Vineyard & Winery – Foxy Peach, 2013
Bronze: Bingham Family Vineyards – Cloudburst, 2014
White Wines: Dry
Gold: Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard – Viognier, 2014
Silver: Messina Hof Winery – Private Reserve Chardonnay, 2012
Bronze: Haak Vineyards & Winery – Blanc du Bois, 2013
White Wines: Off Dry
Gold: Messina Hof Winery – Father and Son Riesling, 2014
Silver: Enoch’s Stomp – Blanc DuBois – Off Dry, 2012
Bronze: Wedding Oak Winery – Bridal Veil, 2014
White Wines: Sweet
Gold: Messina Hof Winery – Angel Late Harvest Riesling, NV
Silver: Wedding Oak Winery – Bridal Bliss, 2014
Bronze: Landon Winery – Yellow Rose, NV
Blush/Rosé
Gold: Valley Mills Vineyards - Red Velvet, NV
Silver: Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard – Pink Muscat, 2014
Bronze: Wedding Oak Winery – Bridal Blush, 2014
Red Wines: Blends
Gold: Llano Estacado Winery – Viviano, 2010
Silver: Wedding Oak Winery, Tioja, 2013
Bronze: Landon Winery – The Texan, NV
Red Wines: Bold
Gold: Texas Hills Vineyard – Kick Butt Cab Newsom, 2012
Silver: Red Caboose Winery – Quickdraw Syrah, 2012
Bronze: Lost Oak Winery – Tempranillo, 2014
Red Wines: Light
Gold: Messina Hof Winery – Private Reserve Pinot Noir, 2014
Silver: Pillar Bluff Vineyards – Tempranillo Rosé, 2011
Bronze: The Vineyard at Florence – Roma, 2011
Red Wines: Medium
Gold: Red Caboose Winery – Cab Franc/Tempranillo, 2009
Silver: Blue Ostrich Winery & Vineyard – Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013
Bronze: Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards – Texican, 2014
Red Wines: Sweet
Gold: Homestead Winery – Chocolate Rose, NV
Silver: Landon Winery – Chocolate Finale, NV
Bronze: Chisolm Trail Winery – Bad Ass Blush, 2013
Festival guests were also treated to new wine experiences including the Oregon Wine Experience, featuring wineries and winemakers from Oregon, and the Argentina Wine Experience, featuring wines from Argentina.
Oregon participants included Cathedral Ridge Winery, Del Rio Vineyards, Giradet Winery and Phelps Creek Vineyard.
Argentine Wine Consultant Agustin Alvarado was available to discuss premium Argentine wines including selections from Antigal Winery and Estates, Family Cecchin, Finca La Linda, Ricardo Santos and TintoNegro.
Mark your calendars for next year’s GrapeFest, slated for Sept. 15-18.
Marty Sabota, 817-390-7367
This story was originally published October 6, 2015 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Grapevine’s GrapeFest wraps up four days of wine, good times."