Grape stomping guide: Harvest season celebrations in Temecula Wine Country

With fall comes harvest season in Temecula Wine Country, and several area vintners are hosting festivals that celebrate bringing in the grape

The fruit has been plucked, the soil churned, and the smell of crushed grapes permeates the air. Now it’s time to celebrate the harvest with grape stomping! (Photo courtesy of South Coast Winery)

crop. Here’s a look at some of the harvest season celebrations going on in the Temecula Valley:

Sept. 24: Longshadow Ranch Vineyard & Winery kicks off its “Harvestfest” month-long celebration. Live music, hayrides and tractor pulls take place on the ranch throughout the month.

Sept. 26: Take off those shoes, roll up the pants, and hike up those skirts because Ponte Family Estate Winery is holding its 8^th annual “Grape Stomp Festival.” The event includes grape stomp competitions, dancing, live music, a seasonal “Harvest Celebration” buffet dinner, and of course plenty of seasonal wines to sip. The celebration takes place from 4-9 p.m.; cost is $95 per person/$86 for Wine Club members.

Sept. 26: Join Keyways Vineyard & Winery winemaker David Raffaele as he hosts a tutorial session during peak harvest season. Guests will see the actual production process and will experience firsthand techniques of the various stages of wine making. Fermentation techniques, grape maturity methodology, differences in red wine and white wine protocols and barrel usage are on the discussion agenda. Two sessions will be offered: 1:30-3 p.m., and 4-5:30 p.m. Call 951-302-7888 for reservations.

With fall comes harvest season in Temecula Wine Country, and several area vintners are hosting family-friendly festivals that celebrate bringing in the grape crop. (Photo courtesy South Coast Winery)

Sept. 26: Eat, love and pray during South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s “Blessing of the Wine” celebration from 4-7 p.m. The event will include a BBQ feast, grape stomping contests, face painting for kids, tractor rides through the vineyards, and live musical entertainment and dancing with the Bayou Brothers Band. Call for reservations: 951-587-9463 Ext. 7210.

Oct 2: Callaway Vineyard & Winery is celebrating its “Harvest Festival & Grape Stomp” with two events — one for the family and one for adults over 21: The “Family-Friendly Grape Stomping Event” takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the “Adults Only Grape Stomping Event” is scheduled 5-9 p.m. The festival will feature the traditional grape stomp, live entertainment provided by JD Priest, Callaway wine, a gourmet buffet and a silent auction. Cost is $78 per person; club members get in for $70.20. Children 12 and under are $35 each. A portion of ticket sales, and 100 percent of all silent auction proceeds, will benefit the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, which raises money and awareness for soldiers wounded in battle.

Oct. 3: Wilson Creek Winery is inviting the community to sip, savor and stomp during its 8^th annual “Wine Country Harvest” celebration.  A grape stomp, hayrides, live music by JD Priest, and a harvest buffet are on tap for the event.

Oct. 3: The fruit has been plucked, the soil churned, and the smell of crushed grapes permeates the air. Now it’s time to celebrate as Keyways Vineyard Winery hosts its “Harvest Round Up” from 3-6 p.m. For reservations call 951-302-7888.

Oct. 5: South Coast Winery’s Wild Women of Wine Country is celebrating its “6^th Annual Harvest Luncheon” with proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen For The Cure – Inland Empire. Cost is $35. Luncheon attendees are encouraged to wear pink and bring on their most outrageous pink shoes for the 1^st Annual Pink Shoe Contest. RSVP online at WildWomenOfWineCountry.com or call 951-587-9463 Ext. 7210.

Oct. 9: Lorimar Winery and Vineyards hosts its “Grape Stomp & Harvest Fest” from 5-9 p.m. Wine tasting, appetizers among the vines, tractor-pulled hayrides, a buffet dinner and grape stomping are on tap. Ticket cost is $60 per person; $50 for Wine Club members.
Call 951-240-5177 to purchase tickets.

Oct. 17: Wiens Family Cellars is bringing a touch of Germany to its 4^th annual Wiensfest, 4-8 p.m., with German food, a traditional German band, a grape stomp, wine and even a bit of beer. Ticket price is $35 per person for Wine Club members.

Nov. 6-7: The 20^th annual “Harvest Wine Celebration” comes to Maurice Car’rie Van Roekel Winery from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Cost is $89 per person. For tickets, visit www.temeculawines.org.

Nov. 6-7: Danza del Sol Winery will host its “Harvest Celebration – Barrel Tasting” from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Toni McAllister is SWRNN’s lifestyles editor. She can be reached at toni.mcallister@yahoo.com or 951-234-0704. Follow her on Twitter at SWRNNaelife.