A WINE EXPERIENCE
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Leigh Lyons
Office 817-410-3195/ Cell 817-903-9424
llyons@GrapevineTexasUSA.com
Christine Volkmer
Office 972-863-8100/ Cell 214-794-5498
christine@volkmerpr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SIP, SAVOR AND STOMP AT GRAPEVINE'S 26TH ANNUAL GRAPEFEST® - A WINE EXPERIENCE
Largest Wine Festival in the Southwest U.S. - September 13, 14, 15 and 16, 2012
GRAPEVINE, TX - (July 23, 2012) - Sip, savor and stomp your way through Grapevine's 26th Annual GrapeFest® - A Wine Experience September 13, 14, 15 and 16. Whether you're looking to sip some delicious Texas, West Coast or international wines and premium craft beers, savor the delicious festival food or stomp your way to victory at GrapeStomp, the 26th Annual GrapeFest is the place to be for family-friendly festival fun this September.
GrapeFest, the largest wine festival in the Southwest United States, celebrates the best of Texas wines, West Coast varietals and international offerings. This four-day annual festival also features events such as the People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic, GrapeStomp, the Champagne Terrace, KidZone presented by Baylor Regional Medical Center of Grapevine, Culinary Pavilion, GrapeFest Golf Classic, GrapeFest Tennis Classic, six stages of live entertainment and much more!
Texas is the fifth largest wine producing state in the United States. Named for the wild Mustang grapes that blanketed the land when settlers first arrived to the area in 1844, Grapevine is the headquarters of the Texas Wine Industry.
Sip at the People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic, the largest consumer judged wine competition in the United States. Sample more than 130 wines from more than 38 Texas wineries and vote on your favorite. A booklet detailing the wines being offered and a ballot are provided to each guest upon entry. Sessions are held throughout the four-day festival. The winners of the competition will be announced on Sunday, September 16 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance.
Sip some more at the Vintners' Auction Classic. This annual GrapeFest highlight will be held on Friday, September 14 at 6 p.m at the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau headquarters, 636 S. Main St. Benefiting the Grapevine Heritage Foundation and the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association, guests can bid on exciting vacation packages, wine dinners, vineyard tours and more and will enjoy Texas wines and heavy hors d'oeuvres. And, this year welcomes the second annual Bubbles & Baubles event. One hundred glasses of champagne will be sold for $50 apiece, each containing a one carat gem. One special glass will contain a one carat diamond. The gems can be authenticated at Bermuda Gold & Silver at 404 S. Main St. in Grapevine. Tickets for the Vintners' Auction Classic are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Savor all the delicious dishes at GrapeFest! Learn the latest in culinary techniques at the Culinary Pavilion. Experience a delicious five course meal along with some of the best wines Texas has to offer at the Texas Wine Tribute Dinner on Saturday, September 15 at 7 p.m. at the Hilton DFW Lakes, 1800 State Hwy. 26 E. Indulge in some of your favorite festival foods, from corn dogs to turkey legs to funnel cakes and more. And of course, don't forget to visit your favorite Main Street restaurants throughout the festival.
Stomp into the action during GrapeFest's popular GrapeStomp competition. Two-person teams take turns stomping approximately 18 pounds of grapes for two minutes throughout the festival. Teams that stomp the most juice are eligible to participate in the Grand Champion StompOff on Sunday, with the winners being awarded the coveted "Purple Foot" award and a beautiful glass foot from Grapevine's Vetro Glassblowing Studio. Entry fee is $5 per person. Special GrapeStomp events include the Mayoral GrapeStomp on Saturday, September 15 and the Senior GrapeStomp at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 14.
Other exciting GrapeFest features include:
- Carnival rides
- Carnival Wristband Special, September 13, 5 p.m. - close. Unlimited carnival rides with wristband purchase. $25 in advance; $30 at the festival.
- Champagne Cork Shoot-Off, Saturday, September 15, 12:30 p.m.
- Champagne Terrace
- Draft & Craft Beers
- GrapeFest Golf Classic, September 10
- GrapeFest Tennis Classic, September 14, 15 and 16
- Grapevine Opry at the Palace Theatre
- Grapevine Wine Pavilion
- Grapevine winery tours
- ItalianCarFest, September 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- KidZone presented by Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine
- Rides on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad
- Six stages of live entertainment throughout the festival
- USA Premium Wines Pavilion
- Wines of the World Pavilion
- And much, much more!
GrapeFest - A Wine Experience will open on Thursday, September 13 at 10 a.m. Admission is free to everyone all day Thursday and Friday until 5 p.m. Hours are Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission prices are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (62+) and children (6-12).
Weekend passes are available for $18 and souvenir weekend passes are $23. Admission is free for children five and under. Complete your GrapeFest getaway with a special family fun package from one of Grapevine's hotels. For more information, call the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com/GrapeFest.
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