The Oldest & Largest California Grape Stomp must go on during the Covid-19 Pandemic. 400 Stomp Teams will compete using Zoom Online Event Services.
Murphys, CA, June 22, 2020— The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance (CWA) has hosted the annual Grape Stomp Competition and Harvest Celebration for 26 years and is in the planning stages of the 27th annual event set to take place on Saturday, October 3, 2020. This annual competition and fundraising event has become a tradition for many who meetup for a reunion weekend in Calaveras Wine Country. After careful consideration of current social distancing laws around large-scale events, the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance team has decided to host two Calaveras Grape Stomp events. The first, a first of its kind, “Virtual Grape Stomp: Backyard Edition” is set to take place on Sunday, September 27th and the second, a smaller scale, private Grape Stomp Competition event is set to take place October 3rd at the Murphys Park. The park was reserved before the pandemic and details about the private event will be shared the first week of August as more information becomes available from the Governors office about community events. The CWA will host an online Silent Auction using a fun phone app and hopes to host the Live Auction during the private event at Murphys Park. Each year, local business owners of wineries, adventure companies, shops, restaurants and hotels donate incredible items and gift certificates to the Grape Stomp Auction. Annual contributions raise between $8000-$9500 that gets donated to local organizations and high school scholarship programs. “Thanks to the support of our board of directors, we have put our heads together to develop a virtual program that will ensure this annual event continues,” explains Sandra Hess, Executive Director, Calaveras Winegrape Alliance. “Each year we sell out of Grape Stomp team registrations at 120 maximum slots and with the virtual grape stomp we can open up to 400 stomp teams from the comfort of their backyards – what fun!” she shares.
What is a Virtual Grape Stomp?
Teams of two register online through the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance website for a “Grape Stomp Kit” that includes a stomp barrel, 25 pounds of grapes, juice measuring devices and stomp instructions. Once registered, teams will receive “How To” tips in an Instructional Video – how to setup Backyard Grape Stomp, how to measure juice as well as secrets from Grape Stomp Hall of Famers will be shared. Each team will assign one Stomper and one Swabber to stomp in a half barrel filled with 25 pounds of grapes. Each team has three minutes to produce as much juice and the stomp will be recorded using Zoom online meeting services. The Top 10 Stomp Teams will be awarded prizes and receive an invitation to the private Calaveras Grape Stomp event on October 3rd where they can mix and mingle with Stomp Hall of Famers. Costumes are highly recommended and judging will be based on skills, spirit and originality, During registration, stomp teams will select their kit pickup date/time for either the Friday or Saturday before the virtual event. Kits will be ready for pickup at the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance Wine Information Center at 202 Main Street in Murphys. To get stompers pumped up about the virtual event, teams will enjoy a day of wine tasting in Calaveras Wine Country with their 1-Day Tasting Pass provided at time of kit pickup. Team entry fee is $120 and includes Grape Stomp Kit items, 1-Day Tasting Pass for each stomper, Measuring Supplies, access to Virtual Grape Stomp event hosted using Zoom and a few surprises. A limited number of 400 registrations are available for the first virtual stop and will sell out. Advance registration is required by August 28th and all stompers get advance access to the online silent auction.
About the Calaveras Wine Region
Nestled in a beautiful landscape, at the base of the Sierra Foothills, and a 90 minute drive from the Bay Area, Calaveras Wine Country is the perfect one-stop wine and adventure wonderland. Dating back to the Gold Rush Era, visitors can explore 40 family-run wineries and historical sites that make up Calaveras Wine Country. A variety of restaurants, shops and hotels are available in the historical downtown areas of Murphys and Angels Camp where tasting rooms are mainly located. Established in 1989, The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance (CWA) is dedicated to increasing the awareness of all wines produced in Calaveras County and/or produced from Calaveras grapes. CWA is a non-profit organization advancing our wine industry through educational seminars and year-round events.
To learn more about the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance or the annual Grape Stomp & Harvest Festival, visit www.calaveraswines.org
