The Stables Wine Estate Media Release

 No: Stables0904

23 April  2009

Midlands gears up for Grape Crushing mania

Nottingham Road – The hills of the Midlands will be alive with the sound of music and mirth this weekend as The Stables Wine Estate outside Nottingham Road celebrates the end of a record-breaking harvest season with their annual Grape Crushing festival.

Following a centuries-old tradition rooted in France and other famous wine rowing regions, the completion of the harvest is celebrated by inviting the broader community to foot-stomp the last consignment of grapes from the vineyards in a carnival atmosphere.

Into it’s third year, The Stables Wine Estate’s Grape Crushing festival has become a firm favourite with it’s followers, thanks to the family friendly mix of food, wine, music and mirth at the estate on the Rosetta Road.

“It’s been an exceptional harvest for us, and we are looking forward to celebrating that fact with the people of KwaZulu-Natal,” said winemaker Judy van Niekerk.

The art of stomping juice from a barrel filled with plump juicy grapes always provides for much debate and experimenting with technique and exertion. The most enthusiastic and productive grape stompers are rewarded with prizes on the day.

The grapes used will be Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested from the Greytown vineyard, destined for the 2009 vintage of the popular Jeripico.

The team of winemakers are ardent about ensuring that all the juice stomped goes into the production of the Jeripico, and each stomper is required to clean their feet in a special solution to ensure that the product of their stomping is fit for the winemakers needs.

East Coast Radio’s Jane Lindley Thomas will be part of the festivities, with Dave Macleod providing the music and festivities on the day

Participation in the event cost R90 and includes a T-shirt commemorating the grape-stomping.

Entry to the event is limited, as each person will be allocated a fixed amount of grapes to stomp, while Van Niekerk and his winemaking team work around the fun to process the grape juice pressed by the stompers. Booking is strongly advised by calling Christelle on (033) 266 6781.

More information is available at www.stableswine.co.za

ENDS

Dave Macleod/ Gameplan Media

Dave Macleod/ Gameplan Media

Dave Macleod/ Gameplan Media