09/18/06 Crush, Stomp, Wine!

Crush, Stomp, Wine! I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The calendar shows we are about half way through September and the autumnal equinox happens on the 23rd. The harvesting of many crops is underway including grapes and with it soon the tradition of the crush, the beginning of the winemaking process. Wine grapes must first be crushed or pressed to separate the juice. Many communities in wine growing regions celebrate the bounties of the harvest. Festivals abound across the Northwest filled with demonstrations, art, food, music and of course, wine. From last weekends Grape Stomp at Chateau Campoux near the Columbia River to the Beer, Wine & Boomtown event in Seattle, the Northwest is filled with wine styled celebrations. David LeClaire is the event coordinator for Beer, Wine & Boomtown. LECLAIRE: This is a creative effort doing something that has never been done before which is combining an event that has just as many breweries as wineries at it. Normally it's always just breweries or it's always just wineries and this is kind of kicking off the Octoberfest season. The event is a fundraiser for Boomtown Café. LeClaire says this particular event is great for couples. LECLAIRE: You'll find that couples sometimes will only be interested in one or the other beverages, so maybe the husband doesn't really like wine so he doesn't want to go to wine tasting with his wife where in this situation is a little bit more conducive to both of them because they both get something they enjoy. Check your local paper or visitor bureau for dates and times of festivals in your area and enjoy the fruits of the season. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.