Legendary Paso Robles Bash Includes Grape Stomping, Live Balkan Music, Dancing, Dinner and Stunning Hilltop Views
September 18, 2025 (Paso Robles, CA) — Opolo Vineyards today announced the next edition of its annual “Harvest Festival Dinner & Grape Stomp” happening on October 17, featuring live Balkan music, dancing, dinner, grape stomping and wine tasting—all served with stunning hilltop views at the winery’s estate vineyard in the Willow Creek District.
This is the 24th straight year that Opolo has hosted this legendary event. Winery owners Rick Quinn and David Nichols choose to feature the hearty, festive spirit of the Balkans as a nod to Quinn’s deep family roots in that region.
“The Balkan theme adds a unique cultural flair to the guest experience,” Quinn said. “This event has been a tradition at Opolo since the early days, and you don’t want to miss it if you’ve never been.”
Tickets to the Harvest Festival Dinner & Grape Stomp on Friday, October 17 are available at Opolo.com. The cost is $160 per guest ($140 for members). The companion dinner on October 18 is already sold out.
An Incomparable Evening of Wine, Food & Song
Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a welcome wine on a broad lawn terrace overlooking the vineyards. Adventurous patrons are invited to take off their shoes, step into shallow vats and stomp freshly harvested grapes in the classic Old World style.
Passed appetizers include oysters, bacon-wrapped dates, spanakopita and more. Wine stations surrounding the event tent feature a mix of Opolo favorites and small-batch Opolo Reserve wines.
The festivities include a dance troupe performance by San Diego’s Morava Folklore Ensemble as well as live music by Chicago’s Kirin-Gornik Band, who will play a mix of Balkan songs and American pop favorites.
The buffet-style menu, created at the winery’s in-house kitchen, includes entrées of whole-roasted lamb, lemon chicken and Sarma (beef and pork-stuffed cabbage) along with sides of rice pilaf, Caesar salad, dinner rolls and Prebranac (Balkan-style beans cooked with tomato, onion, and paprika). Dessert is a Balkan pastry with cherries in phyllo dough.
“This event is all about our guests having a great time, enjoying new and familiar flavors, and experiencing our best wines,” Nichols said. “It’s the perfect kickoff to Wine Festival Weekend here in Paso Robles.”
About Opolo Vineyards
Opolo Vineyards is a family-owned winery based in the coastal mountains of the Willow Creek District. Renowned for its Mountain Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and other Paso Robles wines, Opolo was founded in 1999 by Rick Quinn and David Nichols. Opolo’s wines fall under three collections: Mountain Collection, Reserve Collection and Summit Creek. Opolo’s famed visitor experience includes a tasting room and bistro; the Inn at Opolo; and the Willow Creek Distillery. More at Opolo.com.
