Largest Wine Festival in the Southwest U.S. - September 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2013 - Returns with New Experiences, Old Favorites and Activities for All Ages
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Leigh Lyons
Office 817-410-3195/ Cell 817-903-9424
LLyons@GrapevineTexasUSA.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEW DISCOVERIES AND FUN FINDS HIGHLIGHT GRAPEVINE'S 27TH ANNUAL GRAPEFEST® - A WINE EXPERIENCE
Largest Wine Festival in the Southwest U.S. - September 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2013 - Returns with New Experiences, Old Favorites and Activities for All Ages
GRAPEVINE, TEXAS - (July 23, 2013) - Discover a world of possibilities at the 27th Annual GrapeFest, September 12, 13, 14 and 15 in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine. The theme for the 27th Annual GrapeFest is "Discoveries" and guests of all ages will find a variety of new wines, new vendors, new bands and more to discover and celebrate throughout the four-day festival. For updated GrapeFest information and schedules, visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com/GrapeFest.
Texas is the fifth-largest wine producing state in the United States. Named for the wild Mustang grapes that blanketed the land when settlers first arrived to the area in 1844, Grapevine is the headquarters of the Texas Wine Industry.
GrapeFest, the largest wine festival in the Southwest United States, is the place to discover and try new wines and even rediscover some of your favorite varietals. Along with celebrating the fruit of the vine, this four-day annual festival offers a variety of activities and events to discover such as the People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic, GrapeStomp, the Vintners' Auction Classic, the Champagne Terrace presented by Gaylord Texan Resort, KidsWorld presented by Baylor Regional Medical Center of Grapevine, Culinary Pavilion, GrapeFest Golf Classic, GrapeFest Tennis Classic, five stages offering live entertainment, Texas Wine Tribute and much more!
Discover delicious Texas varietals at the People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic, the largest consumer judged wine competition in the United States. Sample more than 125 wines from more than 35 Texas wineries in ten categories. Guests receive a booklet detailing the available wines along with a ballot to select their favorites. Sessions are held throughout the four-day festival. Fans of Texas wines can discover some new favorites and Texas wine novices might just discover some of the best wines Texas has to offer. The winners of the competition will be announced on Sunday, September 15 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 and advance purchase is recommended. Guests must be 21 and up.
Discover more fun at the Vintners' Auction Classic benefiting the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. On Saturday, September 14 at 4:30 p.m., guests can bid on exciting vacation packages, wine dinners, vineyard tours and more. Guests can also sample Texas wines and heavy hors d'oeuvres at the event. Tickets for the Vintners' Auction Classic are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The Vintners' Auction Classic will be held at the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau's Grand Gallery, 636 S. Main St.
Discover the fun of celebrating the fruit of the Texas vine at the Texas Wine Tribute on Saturday, September 7 at 7 p.m. Each year, this black-tie gala celebrates specially selected Texas wines paired with the dinner, providing the opportunity to recognize various varietals grown in Texas. New this year at the Texas Wine Tribute, the first "Tall in Texas" Award will be presented to an individual winery that has been instrumental in promoting Texas wines and the Texas wine industry. With wineries now present in all regions of Texas, GrapeFest leadership wanted to focus on a single winery each year, allowing for more effective promotion of the achievements of Texas wineries, both statewide and nationally. Messina Hof Winery of Bryan, Texas has been named the inaugural "Tall in Texas" Award winner, celebrating their contribution to the growth and development of the Texas Wine Industry. Tickets are $125 per person and advance purchase is required.
Discover what it feels like to squish, stomp and get the juice going at the GrapeStomp competition! Two-person teams take turns stomping approximately 18 pounds of grapes for two minutes. Teams that stomp the most juice are eligible to participate in the Grand Champion StompOff on Sunday, with the winners being awarded the coveted "Purple Foot" award and a beautiful glass foot from Grapevine's Vetro Glassblowing Studio. Entry fee is $5 per person. Special GrapeStomp events include the Senior GrapeStomp at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 13 and the Mayoral GrapeStomp on Saturday, September 14. A special stomping area is also available for kids 13 and under.
Discover new festival vendors at GrapeFest! Festival guests will enjoy new vendors such as Customize365, from Oklahoma City, specializing in handmade and laser-engraved wine accessories, serving trays and cheese platters. Or, check out the first-time GrapeFest vendor Gemz and Jewelz, from Lincoln, NE, offering hand-stamped bracelets, necklaces and jewelry. Bring your holiday gift list and get started shopping early at GrapeFest! The 27th Annual GrapeFest will feature a variety of new vendors so come out and check out some new finds and returning favorites.
Discover pre-festival fun events including:
- ItalianCarFest, September 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Texas Wine Tribute, Saturday, September 7, 7 p.m.
- GrapeFest Golf Classic, Monday, September 9, 8 a.m.
Discover a variety of fun activities during GrapeFest all weekend including:
- Artisan Vendors;
- Carnival Rides and Midway Games;
- Carnival Wristband Special, September 12, 5 p.m. - close. Unlimited carnival rides with wristband purchase. $25 in advance; $30 at the festival;
- Champagne Cork Shoot-Off, Saturday, September 14, 12:30 p.m.;
- Champagne Terrace presented by Gaylord Texan Resort;
- Draft & Craft Beers;
- Festival Foods;
- GrapeFest Tennis Classic, Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15;
- Grapevine Glockenspiel Clock Tower's Would-Be Train Robbers Nat Barrett and Willy Majors appearing at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily;
- Grapevine Opry;
- Grapevine Vintage Railroad stationary exhibits;
- Grapevine Winery Tours;
- KidsWorld presented by Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine;
- Shopping at the stores in Historic Downtown Grapevine throughout the festival;
- Variety of stages featuring more than 90 opportunities to see live entertainment throughout the festival;
- Wine pavilions throughout the festival featuring Grapevine, U.S.A, premium and international wines;
- And much, much more!
Discover Grapevine's hotels during GrapeFest! For information on hotels, packages and where to stay, visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com.
GrapeFest - A Wine Experience will open on Thursday, September 12 at 10 a.m. Admission is free to everyone all day Thursday and Friday until 5 p.m. Hours are Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission prices are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (62+) and children (6-12).
Weekend passes are available for $18 and souvenir weekend passes are $23. Admission is free for children five and under. For more information, call the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-457-6338 or 817-410-3185 or visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com/GrapeFest.
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Leigh Lyons
Communications Manager l Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau
636 S. Main St. l Grapevine, TX l 76051
817-410-3195 office l 800-457-6338 toll free
LLyons@GrapevineTexasUSA.com
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