Grape Stomping Festival Is A Fun Way To Enjoy Wine

MID HUDSON VALLEY, NY—Where can you go to sample good wine this weekend? Plenty of places. But there are not that many places where you can also help make it. To experience the old-fashioned fun part of winemaking, consider attending a Grape Stomping Festival, where you can get into a gigantic barrel full of grapes and stomp away.

This deliciously-squishy activity is fun for the whole family—as four adults and a couple of kids can fit into the barrels. The satisfying, if occasionally messy, festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 30 and Sunday Oct. 1 at the Robibero Winery, 714 Albany Post Road in New Paltz.

Advance tickets are $15 but they are only available until 8 p.m. Sept. 29. At-the-door tickets are $20 and there's a limited number of tickets. Kids under 12 get to stomp for free and non-drinkers can pay $10 for a stomping only ticket. Case Club Members also get free admission for two. For more information about becoming a member, email Rnywine@yahoo.com

The admission ticket includes tasting five wines or enjoying a full glass of wine in a logo wine glass you get to keep.

The event also includes live music from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, craft beer and sangria by the glass, a wood-fired pizza and food truck, lawn games and a bonfire.

Visitors are advised to bring blankets/chairs to use on the lawn and a towel to dry their feet. Stomping is satisfying but can get messy.

About a thousand people are expected to attend the yearly event, so you may want to consider buying tickets in advance.

Happy stomping!