Wollersheim’s Grape Stomp Festival is done, for now
Wollerscheim has decided not to have their popular Grape Stomp Festival in 2006, and possibly 2007. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if they end it all together.
This year was the first time I had attended the festival in probably five years, and I couldn’t believe how much it had grown. You used to be able to just pull into their parking lot and walk into the festival. But this year, I had to park about a quarter mile down the road, pay to get in, and buy tickets to purchase items.
There was so many people, it was just unpleasant to be there. The few hours I was at the festival, I saw people falling down drunk, people going to the bathroom in the vineyard, and people making out with strangers in from of families trying to enjoy the day. A fun event where you could take your family has turned into an over-popularized drunkfest.
For years, I often wondered how long they could continue having the festival before it got to big. I don’t blame Wollerscheim for quitting the festival. I did. I decided that this was my last year, instead I’ll just make my regular trips in the Summer, buy a few bottles of wine, and enjoy the peace and quiet in the vineyard.
Wollersheim Winery will not be holding the Grape Stomp Festival in October 2006. We will be taking a year or two to recreate a festival that is more suited to the unique winery setting and geared towards families.
We have decided to take a year or two to reevaluate the festival, look at some building expansion projects on the winery grounds, and concentrate on the highlight of the fall season- winemaking. The winery family, including our employees, has been feeling that the festival has grown over and beyond what the property can safely handle and has shifted from its original intent of family fall enjoyment. When we look at the big picture, the success of the winery is attributed to the quality of our wine, and because September and October is the main time of the year that wine is being produced, we want to remain focused on making the finest wine possible.
We realize that many will be disappointed to not attend the festival in 2006, but we have also spoken with many of our long-time customers that have become let down with the festival becoming too crowded. We will still continue our other events this year, the Winery Open House in March and the Ruby Nouveau Tasting in November. Our plans for the festival in future years will be announced in fall 2006 as they take shape. Of course, Wollersheim Winery will remain open our usual winery hours of 10 am to 5 pm, 361 days a year for wine tastings and winery tours.
