FCV Grape Stomp continues Saturday
Glynis Crawford Smith/The Highlander
The response to stomping grapes on the face of Anton Cervantez of Marble Falls would make Lucille Ball proud. He is joined in vat of deep purple grapes by Emma, left, and Isabella, right, Clark, also of Granite Shoals. Their mother, Megan Martinke, looks on in the foreground. They and Anton's mom, Tami Martinke, far right, are attending the 28th Annual Fall Creek Vineyard Grape Stomp in Tow on Saturday, Aug. 26. The celebration continues this Saturday with free activities for the whole family and exclusive RSVP events (details at www.fcv.com).
This is the 28th year wine and fun lovers are journeying to the Tow Community to take part in the Fall Creek Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival.
The vineyard's annual event continues from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. Hundreds of guests generally attend not only to taste the wines and attend celebrity chef demonstrations but also to share a day that has fun planned for adults and children.
Then, there is the big event: a chance to beat their feet in a Lucille Ball-style grape stomp. Visitors kick off their shoes and experience the thrill of bare feet grape stomping. The classic “I Love Lucy” episode will be playing, so guests can stomp along in the wine barrels.
Over nearly three decades, the Fall Creek Vineyard Grape Stomp and Festival has grown to include, now, wine tastings, a celebrity chef lunch and demonstration, casual food on the patio, bocce ball, ping pong, winery tours and guided boat tours to Fall Creek Falls. Activities for children include a castle bounce and a free-of-charge turn in the grape vat.
It all takes place at Fall Creek Vineyards, 1820 Llano County Road 222 in the surrounds of the rural Tow Community. Guests need not worry about the Texas heat. All activities are either inside the cool winery, under shade tents or in a cool mist on the patio.
All lunches, boat rides and tastings require advance reservation or purchase. More information, prices and links to be included in 28th Annual Grape Stomp features and other events are found on the website, www.fcv.com, under the heading of “RSVP”.
Special events include:
The Celebrity Chef Luncheon will be in the hands of Jay Hunter, executive chef at the legendary AAA four-diamond Horseshoe Bay Resort in Marble Falls. He will prepare this year's two-course celebrity chef lunch with a short demonstration of its preparation. His career highlights include the world-renowned Pinehurst Golf Resort and Spa, the Orchid at Mauna Lai in Hawaii, opening of the Omni Rosen Centre, a 1350-room AAA Four-Diamond property in Orlando, Florida, the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, Arizona, and the historic Four-Diamond Wigwam Resort.
Lunch courses will be paired with glasses of award-winning Fall Creek Vineyards wines. The single, reserved-seat luncheon at noon each Saturday is $26.95 per person.
The Special Reserve Barrel Tasting, also with limited seating, will be led by FCV Winemaker Sergio Cuadra at 2:30 p.m. each Saturday in the winery Barrel Room. Guests will be led through a tasting of fermenting juices, just-made wines, and the maze of decisions made throughout harvest time. Reservations for the tell-all behind the mystery of winemaking are $35 per person, wine and cheeses included.
The Patio Lunch with a view to the vineyard will be served from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. for $16.95 per person (wine not included) and $11 for children age 12 and younger. guests may choose from pulled pork grilled cheese, gourmet chicken brat, or portobello sandwich (all are served with kettle chips) or EB’s Famous Texas Nachos. A special children’s meal will be available.
Scenic boat cruises on Lake Buchanan travel up to the 90-foot Fall Creek Falls, for which the vineyard is named. FCV co-owner Ed Auler narrates the history of Fall Creek Ranch, which has been in the Auler Family since 1920s, along with story of the area’s original inhabitants 10,000 years ago. Space is limited to 10 people per cruise – departing 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
For more information or to make reservations for any Grapestomp events visit www.fcv.com.
Celebrity Chef Luncheon Menu with Executive Chef Jay Hunter, Horseshoe Bay Resort
August 26 Menu
Baby Greens Tangle
French radish, Pickled Cucumber, Mango Paint and Yuzu Vinaigrette
FCV Creekside Rose, Vintner’s Selection, Texas, 2016
Fall Creek Braised Short Rib
Finished Light with Wine Steeped Apple Relish and Corn Essence
FCV Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese/Merlot, Vintner’s Selection, Texas Hill Country, 2015, “Super Tuscan Style”
Chocolate Truffle
