The Herald-Zeitung

It’s something many people want to experience at least once in their lifetime – grape stomping. And now is their chance.

But, Sabrina Houser, manager/event coordinator for Dry Comal Creek, said prospective grape stompers should get rid of preconceptions.

“People with big feet, or heavy persons, are not always the winners,” she said. “There is definitely a technique, but everybody finds their own technique. Sometimes, it is the smallest people who win. It is definitely a partners competition. You have to work with your partner.”

Houser said some people concentrate on squeezing the grapes between their toes. Others lean from side to side. Either way, they personalize their technique to each other, she said. The person who isn’t doing the stomping is called the swabber, according to the event’s Web site grapestomp.com. The swabber is responsible for catching the juice in a bucket outside of the barrel and ensuring a clear passageway for the juice to the drain spout.

Houser explained that the barrels have a hole drilled into the bottom and a screen filter placed inside barrel to remove dirt and debris from the juice.

“It’s hard to explain how they do it, but the key to being a good grape stomper is keeping that screen clean,” she said.

More than 400 grape lovers showed up for last year’s event, Houser said. Anyone 12 and older is eligible to participate in the grape stomp. Last year, more than 100 teams crushed more than 1,000 pounds of grapes. Teams will be admitted to the grape stomping competition on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event.

The grape stomp began as a way to give wine connoisseurs a place to experience Texas wines.

“We wanted them to experience Texas Hill Country wineries in one place,” Houser said. “Otherwise, you have to go all the way up to Tow, two hours away, to experience some of the great Texas wines.”

At press time, participating wineries in this year’s event include: Driftwood Estate Winery, Texas Legato, Fall Creek Vineyards, Flat Creek Estate, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards and Winery, Becker Vineyards, Three Dudes Winery, Grape Creek Vineyards, Stone House Vineyard and McReynolds Wines.

Houser added that Texas is the fifth largest producer of wine in the United States.

“So that is a huge economic positive for us,” she said. “We also put together this event because we wanted a place where people could come participate in the grape stomp. And we wanted them to come enjoy the Texas Hill Country landscape. It’s just gorgeous. So this event is appealing to all the senses.”

Organizers of the event also wanted some of the proceeds to go to charity. Last year, more than $4,000 was raised for the Comal Independent School District – with funds going to the Comal Education Foundation, according to the Web site. This year, funds will again be raised for CISD, Houser said.

In addition to wine tasting, area restaurants and caterers – including Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant, Gourmage of Texas, and Mark Segovia – will be offering some of their specialties at the event. Jazz Blues and Diamonds will provide live entertainment. A separate grape stomping area also will be provided for children under 12.

Tickets for those 21 and older are $25 per person. A $10 wristband can be purchased for food and drink.

Tickets for ages 12-21 are $10. Children ages 11 and younger are admitted free. The first 400 participants to sign up for tickets at www.texaswinetrail.com will receive a free stemless wine glass compliments of the Texas Department of Agriculture.

For information, call Dry Comal Creek Vineyards and Winery at (830) 885-4076 or visit www.grapestomp.com.