News from the RVVA

Stompers and Swabbers—Challenge Your Family and Friends at the Second Annual Ramona Grape Stomp

By August 16, 2018 No Comments

Bring the entire family to enjoy competitive & fun grape stomping, wine tasting, children activities, music, food, line dancing, and shopping.

Ramona, Calif., August 16, 2018

It’s time for stompers and swabbers to create their two-person teams to challenge brother, sister, classmates, boss, colleague, or best friend to win the title of “Ramona Grape Stomp Champion” at the second annual Ramona Grape Stomp on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center (ROCC), noon to 5:00 p.m. The event offers fun for the entire family – children’s activities, wine tasting, competitive and fun stomping, music, line dancing, food, and shopping.

The Grape Stomp Competition: Stompers and Swabbers

Teams consist of a “stomper” who gets in the barrel with bare feet to squish the grapes and a “swabber” who stands below the barrel and keeps the juice flowing into the cup, pulling the skins away from the screen. The team that collects the most juice in two minutes wins the round. Winners of each round then compete in the semi and championship rounds.

The squishing begins at 12:30 p.m. and runs every 30 minutes until the Championship heat at 4:30 p.m. including a special “Kids Only Stomp” for children (12 and under) at 2 p.m. Win a prize for the best team t-shirt or costume.

For those who want to get a preview, check out the mini-stomp competition demonstration at the Ramona Country Fair, August 24-27, where folks from the audience can challenge last year’s Stomp winners, the Toe Jammers from the Ramona Senior Center.

Stomp for Fun

For squishing grapes at a more leisurely pace, the “Fun Stomp” area will be open from noon to 5 p.m. for all ages. Children must be accompanied by a parent.

And There’s More

Wine tasting will be provided by wineries from the up and coming Ramona wine region: Barrel 1 Winery, Correcaminos Vineyard, Hatfield Creek Vineyards & Winery, La Finquita Winery & Vineyard, Lenora Winery, Mahogany Mountain Vineyard & Winery, Pamo Valley Winery, Ramona Ranch Vineyard & Winery, Turtle Rock Ridge Vineyard Winery, and Vineyard Grant James.

The Kid Zone will provide a variety of fun activities for the little ones, including face painting, games, and prizes. Participants can also shop from selected merchants and crafters, enjoy music, learn or practice line dancing, visit the photo booth for a commemorative photo, sample food, and bid for special items in a silent auction.

Tickets

Entry tickets can be purchased from the website at www.RamonaGrapeStomp.com; Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery at 23578 Highway 78, Ramona; on Cruise Night on Thursdays near Reds Whites and Brews at 629 Main St, Ramona; and on-site the day of the event. Early bird prices are good thru August at only $8. Entry tickets for adults (13 and older) are $10; Kids (ages 6-12) $5; Kids (under 6) free; Family package (2 adults & up to 3 kids) $25.

Tickets for the stomp competition are $20 per team. There is no price for heat winners to compete in the Grand Prize. Participants can sign up on the webpage at www.ramonagrapestomp.com. Or, they can wait to sign up when they arrive.

Wine tasting tickets are sold only at the event at $10 for 5 tastes. Tasters receive a free souvenir glass with the first purchase. Additional glasses will be available for purchase. All wine tasters must be at least 21 and must provide a photo ID.

Parking is free.

Sponsors

The Ramona Grape Stomp is being presented by the Ramona Rotary Club, the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA), and the Ramona Senior Center. Proceeds of the event will go to education and support services that sponsor organizations provide in the community. Additional sponsors are Taster sponsors: Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery; Joyce T. Strand, Author. Sipper sponsors include: Woodcrest Real Estate Ventures and Linda S. Glau, CPA

Media contact: Joyce Strand 408-210-2422

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