Red Hook Winery’s wines are typically made with crushed grapes that were tapped with a foot-stomping method. Continue to find wineries that continue to practice grape stomping if you want to drink wine from one.

Modern machines have become more efficient and regulated over time, with labor costs reduced as a result. Grapes have been crushed with one’s feet for thousands of years. Grape stomp is a type of wine maturation process. Grape stomps were once one of the earliest traditions in North America, dating back to the third century. It was one of the most important steps in the wine-making process. Grape stomping dates back hundreds of years to the ancient Romans, who used it to extract grape juice. Was Stomping On Grapes Really How People Made Wine? Green stems with bitter tannins have been removed from the grapes by inserting them into a destemmer. Grapes are transported directly from the fields to specialized machinery that makes wine-making easier and more sanitary nowadays. Grapes that have been stomped can customize tannin structure and prevent seed breakage, allowing winemakers to create a harsh, off flavor without losing any of the structure.Īlthough grape stomping is no longer widely used, mechanical processing is still used in the industry. Feet can be sprayed with or dunked into various sanitizing solutions before being rinsed before entering grapes in order to aid in the detection of sanitizer. There are also grape stomp festivals and competitions held around harvest, though these are not usually related to growing. The mystique is not the only aspect of this industry, which is based on the idea that people will take vacations during which they will stomp grapes to produce wine “the traditional way.” Even though it is currently illegal in America to sell wine produced in this manner for hygiene reasons. We’ve been pressing grapes in a much more efficient way for many thousands of years than we have been using grape treading, a centuries-old method of making wine. There is little evidence to suggest that wine presses were used to stomp grapes. It would be inefficient on a mass scale, unless you were earning enough money to support an Egyptian Pharaoh. When pressing grapes with simple bodyweight, applying too much pressure to them may be a good idea. An ancient winery, complete with a wine press dating back to 4000 BC, has been discovered in Armenia. This method has been far less effective than man could have devised at least 6,000 years ago. It is commonly thought that stomping grapes with one’s feet was a relatively uncommon practice in ancient times. The stomping of grapes is actually a tradition that is done for fun and has no impact on the quality of the wine. In reality, wine is made from grapes that have been crushed in a press.

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).It is a common misconception that wine is made from grapes stomped by feet. 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.