Join the newbies and experienced grape stompers heading into the vineyards from now through September. Help with the harvest. Meet some fun and friendly folks. Taste wine. And take some photos to send into the Make Mine Wine magazine’s Midwest Wine Country Photo Competition.
Make plans to attend one of these upcoming events … or just check with your local winery and see if they have a harvest festival coming up.
Park Farm Winery’s 2nd Annual Grape Stomp is this weekend in Bankston, Iowa, August 30, from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Contact rguerrero@parkfarmwinery.com.
It’s “No-Pick-y, No Stomp-y” at White Oak Vineyards near Cambridge, Iowa. They pick and stomp two weekends, so check it out at www.whiteoakvineyards.com.
Summerset Winery, Indianola, IA celebrates Fall Harvest every Saturday from Mid-August through September pre-paid reservations required. The fee covers breakfast, lunch, a commemorative T-shirt and wine in the vineyard, with a portion of the proceeds going to Dollars for Scholars. After breakfast and picking, the party begins with grape stomping and more.
Prairie Crossing Vineyard & Winery, Treynor, Iowa, will host their Harvest Party on Saturday, September 6, from noon to 9:00 p.m. www.prairiecrossingwine.com.
Pre-register for the Grape Picking Festival with John Ernest Vineyard & Winery in Tama, Iowa, by calling 641-484-8048. The first 100 people can take part each Saturday, September 6th or September 13th.
Sugar Clay Winery’s 3rd Annual Grape Stomp & Harvest Festival will be all day September 20th in Thurman, Iowa. Stop by for live music, kids and adult grape stomps, crafters, food and wine! Check www.sugarclaywinery.com for details.
In Lake Lillian, Minnesota you can stomp three days in a row, September 5 – 7, at the Olde Country Winery and Vineyard’s Grape and Harvest Festival. There is a lot going on – including cash prizes, and while there you can see the world’s tallest wine bottle. RV parking is available. www.oldecountrywinery.com.
Are you going to be in the Chicago area? It’s a family affair September 27th and 28th, in Roselle, Illinois at Lynfred Winery’s Oktoberfest and Pig Roast with kids’ and adults grape spitting, adult barrel races and grape stomping for kids, adult and couples. http://www.lynfredwinery.com.
You can enter the I Love Lucy look-a-like contest Sunday, August 24th at the Kickapoo Creek Winery Grape Stomp in Central, Illinois. Expect wine, food, music and fun. www.kickapoocreekwinery.com.
The Grape Stomp at Superior Coast Winery in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan is held rain or shine on Saturday, September 13 at 11:00. The last two years the same person as won the contest for squeezing the most juice from their grapes – so practice up and go for the gold! www.superiorcoastwinery.com.
While I was at the Iowa State Fair, I heard a lot about the Harvest Festival in downtown Clear Lake, Iowa. I don’t know if it the event is sold out yet, so give them a call or check the website to see if you can still purchase a Harvest Bag. The date is Saturday, October 4th. www.clearlakeiowa.com/harvestfestival.
Don’t miss the fun! And don’t forget to send in your photos by October 1st! Check our website, www.makeminewinemagazine.com for details.
Cheers!
Barbara Rasko
Publisher
Make Mine Wine
Make Mine Wine Magazine 