Crofut Winery Grape Stomp

September 12, 2011 By Terri Knox in Historic Jordan, Innkeeper Travelogue, Local Attractions, Winery Comments Off

While watching Jordan’s local Heimatfest Parade Saturday morning from Nicolin Mansion’s front porch, I turn to our innsitter, Cindy Nevins, and make an offer: you clean the room that’s checking in this afternoon while I finish my computer work and we’ll go on a Nicolin Mansion Fieldtrip to Crofut Winery for the annual Grape Stomp. Deal!

Innsitter Cindy and Innkeeper Terri

So we finish our jobs and head to the winery, about 7 miles from the inn. The parking area has been updated since the last time I visited (I haven’t been since last season…) which was very nice and easily handles a lot more cars. Nicolin Mansion pays for admission ($5), it’s a working fieldtrip of course, and off we go. First we see our Chamberlin guests we just checked in, and I catch Rob just as he’s about to take a picture of Kat – alone – in the grape bunch face-in-the-hole picture spot, and offer to take their picture together. He was seconds away of getting out of that one, but as an innkeeper, I’m always ready to help out whenever I can. Just to keep it fair, Cindy and I both posed for our own face-in-the-hole pictures.

Cindy Stomping Grapes

I’m next, and Cindy finds the blond stomper for me to pose in. Sure, I’m game…

Terri Stomping Grapes

Our first stop, wine tasting – it’s a grape stomp, it’s all about the wine, right? So we join a tasting table to taste them all and pick our Wine du Jour. They are sampling 6 wines today.

Wine Tasting List

Today’s temperature hit about 90, so the whites were refreshing even though I tend to be a red wine gal. We were joined by another friend from Jordan, and chose the Prairie Blanc for our wine of the day.

Tasting Toast

We head into the barn that serves as the usual tasting room and gift shop to buy our bottle of wine.

Wine Tasting Barn & Gift Shop

There’s also this fabulous iron piece outside the door that I’m convinced would fit perfectly in our courtyard, but of course it’s not for sale.

This belongs in the Nicolin Mansion Courtyard!

After purchasing our bottle, we were off to the arts and crafts tent. The artists’ selections are great: from jewelry to outdoor art, from candle holders to wine holders, the creativity is terrific!

Hands-free Wine Glass ~ A Must Have!

The Most Luminescent Globes I've Seen

But this is the Grape Stomp after all, so we find ourselves a table under the tent and sit down with our wine and a cheese plate to enjoy the festivities.

Tent-Side Seating for the Big Stomping Event

The groups of stompers start out a bit tame…

The Stomping of the Grapes Begin

Then the grapes start sailing instead of just stomping…

The Grapes Start Flying!

Finally reaching full grape assult!

Until Full On Grape Battle (These Shirts Started Out White!)

A definite must-see event! Stomping spots are snatched up pretty quickly, so reserve your spot early. If you miss getting to stomp, it’s definitely still worth it to stay, sip some wine, and see the stompers in action!

Don Crofut, your Vineyard Host

Crofut Family Vineyard & Winery
Open April – December (Check website for exact hours)
Friday: 2 pm – 8 pm; Saturday 11 am – 6 pm; Sunday 12 noon – 5 pm
21646 Langford Avenue Jordan, Minnesota 55352
952-492-3227
http://www.crofutwinery.com

Art Bed and Breakfast Courtyard Garden Events Explore Jordan Festivals Garden Art Home and Garden Jordan Minnesota Local Minnesota Nicolin Mansion Vineyard Winery

Innkeeper’s Innsights