{Full disclosure: This experience was provided to me at no charge.}
Stomping grapes has been on a my bucket list for quite some time! I’ve always wanted to stomp on freshly picked grapes during harvest, just like they used to do in early wine making practices. I’m pretty sure every wine lover out there has dreamed of being knee deep in a barrel of wine grapes. No? That’s just me?
Grape stomping feels oddly satisfying. Maybe this is just the wino in me.
I was excited to finally experience what it’s like to stomp grapes “I Love Lucy style” at Grgich Hills Estate. Check out the recap below and a brief history of why grape stomping is even a thing.
Grape Stomping in the Napa Valley
Did you know that due to permitting there aren’t many wineries in the Napa Valley that offer grape stomping? However, Grgich Hills is the exception and offers a daily sip n stomp experience. No need for reservations, walk-ins are welcome! The stomping activity runs every harvest from August 24th to October 28th. Don’t wait on this, or you’ll regret you didn’t do it and will have to be patient until harvest comes around next year.
Feet and wine? But why?
Stomping grapes, also known as pigeage, is a tradition that spawned from early wine making practices as early as 200 BC. Winemakers started stomping on grapes to start the maceration process — this is where the skins of the grape break to release the juice, in preparation to start fermentation. Having someone stomp is the perfect amount of pressure to break open the grape skins, but to not crush the seeds inside, which can cause the wine to be too tannic. Grape stomping events during harvest started becoming an activity the entire village would engage in to help process larger amounts of grapes. Plus, it’s a fun activity, with wine often as the reward – or let’s be honest, enjoyed during your stomping.
While grape stomping is a rare winemaking method today, as machines have taken over the job, it is still in use by some small wineries throughout Europe. It’s made me wonder if I’d be ok drinking wine knowing it was stomped on by someones feet…would you? Alcohol kills everything, right?
What to Expect While Grape Stomping at Grgich Hills
When walking up to the beautiful patio at Grgich Hills, you’re greeted by a host who will give you the option to either do a wine tasting of three of their wines prior to your stomp, or after your stomp. I suggest tasting before and then taking your last glass with you to use as a prop in your photos 😉 Plus, there’s something about drinking wine while stomping grapes – making wine, while drinking wine!
Who doesn’t love Grgich Hills Chardonnay?
So historic. Grgich Hills Chardonnay helped put Napa on the map during the Judgment of Paris.
You’ll line up to stomp, unless you get there early! Highly suggest going right when they open to beat the crowd. And then step on in to the barrel of grapes, and get to stompin’. The grapes are cool, a little squishy and pop under your feet. To be honest, I really liked the feeling but it took a second to get used to. And no, you’re feet will not be dyed purple.
In this moment, I was laughing about how large my wine foot prints look on my shirt.
After you’ve stomped your little heart out, you step onto a shirt that commemorates your experience with an imprint of your wine stained feet. Hello, new sleep shirt!
I grape stomped at Grgich Hills and you should too!
Here’s a few extra grape stomping tips:
- Don’t wear pants – if you do, make sure they can easily roll up
- Avoid wearing white – I didn’t have any problem with getting grape stains, but I’d definitely avoid light colored clothing
- Arrive early to avoid crowds
If you’re looking for a fun event to do while wine tasting in Napa or are a wino like me and have forever had this on your bucket list, I highly suggest checking out the grape stomp at Grgich Hills.
Loved stomping! Fun times and good wine! 🙂