GRAPEVINE, TEXAS (August 9, 2018) – Toast four days of family-friendly fun at the 32nd Annual GrapeFest - A Texas Wine Experience, presented by Bank of the West, September 13, 14, 15 and 16. Sample your way through a variety of delicious taste sensations with special emphasis on wines from Texas and Old-World Wines revisited with wineries from North Coast California and the Rioja Region of Spain. Get your tickets now to experience these exciting wines, many of which are not normally available in Texas. For up-to-the-minute schedule and event information, visit www.GrapeFest.com.
GrapeFest is the largest wine festival in the Southwest and offers four days of festival fun for all ages. Favorite GrapeFest events include the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, sponsored by Audi Grapevine, the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the nation; the Texas Wine Tribute; GrapeStomp, sponsored by Tom Thumb/Albertson’s; Liberty Park Plaza Wine Experience sponsored by Gaylord Texan Resort; the Champagne Terrace; KidsWorld; the GrapeFest Golf Classic; the GrapeFest Tennis Classic; ItalianCarFest™, sponsored by Boardwalk Auto Group; live entertainment and much more!
Savor the flavors of more than 150 Texas varietals from 39 Texas wineries at the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic. During 11 sessions throughout the weekend, this signature event is one of the most popular GrapeFest events and limited tickets are available for each session. Guests vote for their favorites and the winners of the competition will be announced on Sunday, September 16 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $23 in advance or $25 at the festival. Guests must be 21 and over to enter.
ALL NEW FOR 2018: More than 50 teams of steak aficionados will participate in the GrapeFest Steak Cookoff on Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16. Bring your best recipe and register now to take part in this fun event. Cost is $150 per team. Proceeds benefit Grapevine Shield Foundation. Register now at www.steakcookoffs.com or www.GrapeFest.com.
GrapeFest is a celebration of Texas wines. Texas is the fifth-largest wine producing state in the United States. Grapevine is home to the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association and Texas’ premier Urban Wine Trail. Texas is home to more than 300 wineries and 4,400 acres of vineyards producing nearly three million gallons of Texas wine each year.
Sample wines from visiting wineries at GrapeFest. Guests will find wines from North Coast California in the Liberty Park Plaza Wine Experience sponsored by Gaylord Texan Resort. This North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) in California covers more than three million acres. A winemaking mecca since the mid-19th century, today the area features about 800 wineries, nearly half of the total wineries in California. The guest wineries are GrapeFest are from Mendocino County and Anderson Valley. Visiting North Coast California wineries are Seebass Vineyards and Family Wines, Testa Vineyards, Parducci Wine Cellars, Handley Cellars, Brutocao Cellars, Pennyroyal Farm, Greenwood Ridge Vineyards and Barra of Mendocino.
One of the most unique wine tasting options available in the Liberty Park Plaza Wine Experience will be Coro, a signature blend, individually crafted from 100 percent Mendocino County, California grapes. One of the most unique California wines, Coro must lead with 40-70 percent Zinfandel and may be blended with up to nine named varietals, honoring the “Old Italian” field blends of Mendocino. Coro wines must pass a review by a panel of winemakers in four blind tastings before the wine is accepted and certified to carry the Coro Mendocino label. Production must adhere to strict protocols set by Consortium Mendocino. In addition to the varietal parameters, there are strict rules concerning wine chemistry, and barrel and bottle aging before the release of this extremely limited case production. As a final test, the Coro wines must pass a review by a panel of winemakers in four blind tastings before the wine is accepted and certified to carry the Coro Mendocino label. Once certified, each Coro wine is bottled in a uniform bottle, label and marked with the Coro seal.
In the Liberty Park Plaza Wine Experience, festival-goers can also sample wines from visiting wineries from the Rioja Region of Spain. Rioja refers to the region or the particular wine made in the region. Located in north central Spain, along the Ebro River, Rioja is approximately 210 square miles in size. The main grape used to produce Rioja wines is Tempranillo. With tremendous versatility, Tempranillo demonstrates great aging potential. Other grapes commonly cultivated in Rioja are Garnacia, Graciano, Mazuelo, and Matura Tinta, a varietal not grown anywhere else in the world. Guest wineries from Rioja are Dominio de Berzal, David Moreno, Martinez Alesanco, Campo Viejo and more.
Put your feet to the test at the annual GrapeStomp competition, sponsored by Tom Thumb/Albertson’s. Let your feet do the stomping as teams of two take turns to crush approximately 18 pounds of grapes for two minutes. If your team stomps the most juice, you just might qualify to stomp some more at the Grand Champion StompOff on Sunday, with the winners being awarded the coveted "Purple Foot" award. Entry fee is $5 per person. Special GrapeStomp events include the Mayoral GrapeStomp on Saturday, September 15 at 11 a.m. A free special stomping area is also available for kids 12 and under.
Dance the night away at the 32nd Annual GrapeFest. The Grapevine Mills Main Stage, the Town Square Gazebo Stage and the Palace Theatre Stage will feature live entertainment throughout the festival. Featured performers include Jo Dee Messina; Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles; Le Freak; Gary P. Nunn; Justin Johnson and the TCU Steel Drum Band.
Attend pre-festival fun events such as:
- GrapeFest Golf Classic, Friday, September 7;
- GrapeFest 15th Annual ItalianCarFest, presented by Boardwalk Auto Group, Saturday, September 8, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Nash Farm, 626 Ball St.;
- GrapeFest Pre-Festival Dinners at Dino’s Steak and Claw House, Monday, August 13, $67 per person; Chez Fabien, Tuesday, August 21, $65 per person; Coal Vines, Southlake, Tuesday, August 28, $60 per person; Boi Na Braza, Wednesday, September 5, $75 per person; Chill, Thursday, September 6, $60 per person; and Mac’s on Main, Tuesday, September 11, $70 per person.
- Texas Wine Tribute, Saturday, September 8, 6:30 p.m., Grand Hall, 636 S. Main St.
Make plans now to enjoy all of the fun activities during GrapeFest such as:
- Artisan Vendors;
- Carnival Rides and Midway Games;
- Champagne Cork Shoot-Off, Saturday, September 15, 12:30 p.m.;
- Champagne Terrace;
- KidsWorld, featuring LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium, interactive games and petting zoo;
- Shopping and dining at more than 80 locally owned boutiques, jewelry stores, restaurants and more in Historic Downtown Grapevine throughout the festival;
- Unlimited Carnival Ride Pass, Thursday, September 13, 5 p.m. – close. $25 in advance; $30 at the festival;
- Draft & Craft Brews;
- Festival Foods;
- GrapeFest Tennis Classic, Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16;
- Grapevine Glockenspiel Clock Tower’s Would-Be Train Robbers Nat Barrett and Willy Majors appearing several times daily;
- Grapevine Winery Tours, Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16;
- Ice Carving, Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15
- The Strolling Piano and
- GrapeFest Steak Cookoff, Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 16
Discover Grapevine’s hotels during GrapeFest. For information on hotels, packages and where to stay, visit www.GrapeFest.com.
The 32nd Annual GrapeFest, A Texas Wine Experience, presented by Bank of the West, will open on Thursday, September 13 at 10 a.m. Admission is free to everyone all day Thursday and until 5 p.m. on Friday. 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 pass pins are available for $18 and souvenir pins are $23. Admission is free for children five and under. For more information, call the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visit www.GrapeFest.com.
About Bank of the West
Bank of the West is proud to be an Independent Community Bank, headquartered in Grapevine and serving North Texas for more than three decades; helping to create flourishing communities by putting your dollars to work LOCALLY...with decisions made LOCALLY.
Bank of the West, Member FDIC, Presenting Sponsor of the 32nd Annual GrapeFest.