Annual Grape Stomp at Orfila Vineyards & Winery

 
(It’s a Grape Stomp!  Need I say more?  If you’venever done this, or if you have, it’s the most fun you’ll ever have notdrinking.  Of course there is drinking…just not while stomping!)

Our annual, always-sold-out Grape Stomp  takes place on Saturday, August 28, 2010  from 4 PM – 8 PM. The afternoon event celebrates the beginning of harvest — Old World style — with grape stomping in a gigantic five-foot barrel, full dinner buffet, dancing to live music, hay rides, wine tasting and winery tours- all for the price of $85.00 per person.

Everyone attending can enjoy being part of an Italian-style grape stomp.  It’s a great time for each person to connect personally with the grapes and salute Mother Earth as the grape juice swirls around their ankles and oozes between their toes.
 
Former winemaker Leon Santoro came up with the idea for the grape stomp as a promotional event more than a decade ago.

The 70-acre vineyard and winery has hosted the stomp every year since 1993,and every year more people want to participate. This year’s festivities is expected to sell out as usual with close to 400 people buying tickets for an afternoon of not only grape stomping, but tasting wine, hay rides, dancing and dinner.  Media director Linda Kissam explains about  the grape stomp, “This is an event that appeals to both men and women. Generally the women are a bit more adventurous at the beginning, but the men can and do hold their own quite well!”

What happens to the stomped grapes?  By law,  the juice can’t be used for human consumption.  The winery ends up using it as fertilizer.

Tickets can be ordered by calling (800) 868-9463 (outside of San Diego County) (877) 727-9463 (within San Diego County) or online at www.orfila.com