SALEM HILLS, Oregon — Tuesday, August 30: Willamette Valley Vineyards will host the 31st Annual Oregon Grape Stomp Championship & Harvest Celebration on Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25, 11 am to 6 pm, at the winery’s Estate located south of Salem, Oregon.
Teams of two will compete to win a $500 Willamette gift card and an overnight stay in a Winery Suite at the Estate. Additional prizes will be awarded to those who come dressed in costumes or team uniforms.
The harvest celebration is one of the largest events of its kind in Oregon and includes wine tasting, food pairings, grape stomping, a costume contest and live music. Guests are invited to compete in teams of two (Stomper and Swabbie). Swabbies hold the barrel and catch the juice while the Stomper crushes the wine grapes. At the end of the three-minute stomp time, the team with the most juice qualifies to compete in the Finalist Stomp at the end of each day. The championship round between the two finalists from Saturday’s and Sunday’s stomps will take place on Sunday, September 25 at 5 pm.
“We hold the state championships in grape stomping, drawing participants from across the state of Oregon,” said Founder and CEO Jim Bernau. “Wine enthusiasts are invited to celebrate the upcoming harvest and really connect with the fruit by squeezing grapes between their toes.”
The Stomp competition is $65 per two-person team ($45 for club members and owners), including a chance to win the grand prize, two Willamette-branded Riedel Pinot Noir glasses, two wine flights, access to live music and admission to the event. A designated time slot must be reserved to participate in the Stomp competition.
General admission is being offered for spectators. The cost is $25 per person ($15 for club members and owners) to watch the event and includes a Willamette-branded Riedel Pinot Noir glass, a wine flight and access to live music. Winery Chef DJ MacIntyre will have a special menu available for purchase at the event.
Willamette Valley Vineyards
Founded in 1983 by Oregon winegrower Jim Bernau with the dream of creating world-class Pinot Noir while serving as stewards of the land, Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown from a bold idea into one of the region’s leading wineries, earning the title “One of America’s Great Pinot Noir Producers” from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. All the vineyards have been certified sustainable through LIVE (Low Impact Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon-Safe programs.
