The Monster Mash, or the Crush Rush

From Harvest to Halloween in Napa Valley

(NAPA, CA) — If you have a family member that works in the wine industry during harvest, you probably wonder if they have turned into a ghost – cuz it is likely that you don’t see them much, except perhaps flitting in after dark and leaving before dawn.

Even so, the wine industry loves to celebrate fall, crush, harvest, and Halloween. Finding activities is easy. You just need to check out the events listings on napavalley.winecountry.com, or read on for a few ways to help you get into the “spirit.”

Grape Stomping at Grgich
If you really want to get a feel for harvest in the Wine Country, you are invited to toss off your shoes and stomp grapes at Grgich Hills Cellar. This “feet-on,” traditional approach to making wine is offered whenever Grgich Hills is crushing grapes throughout the harvest (usually September through October). Stomping is free, and a tasting costs $10 per person and includes a logo glass. Successful stompers also get a free “I stomped at Grgich Hills” pin.

Reservations are not accepted for stomping but please call the winery at 707-963-2784 the day you go to make sure the crew is crushing grapes. Open 9:30am to 4:30pm daily, Grgich Hills Cellar is located at 1829 St. Helena Highway (Highway 29) in Rutherford, CA.

It’s a Good Time of Year for Killer Cabernets!
Taste why the “big guns” of winemaking continue to make history! If you’re a fan of Cabernet, don’t miss this evening with COPIA’s Director of Wine Peter Marks MW and Associate Director of Wine Burke Owens. They will line up some of the best Cabernets in the world. The guided tasting will include 10 super premium Cabernet-based wines from the regions of Napa, Sonoma, Washington State, Italy and France—tasted blind, for a thrilling smackdown to reveal the King of the Cabs!

COPIA
Thursday, October 26, 7:00 - 9:00 pm $125 general/$110 member

Historic Ghost Winery Tour
Ladera Vineyards in Angwin is giving guided lantern tours of their ghost winery on October 28. You can enjoy the Halloween spirit, while you explore their historic property and, if you are so inclined, their Cabernet Sauvignons. The stone winery, a gravity fed operation, was build in the late 1800’s by Chinese laborers.

The term “ghost winery” denotes those wineries that were built between about 1860 and the early 1900’s. Only a few remain in existence today.

Ladera will also be celebrating their 120th Anniversary. Cost is $50 per person. For reservations, call: (707) 965.2445