However, if you do want a bit more expertise to back up your votes, rest assured—you’ll be able to meet winemakers at the festival, and attend classes on the art and science of vinification. You can even try your feet at the grape stomp contest, which is exactly what it sounds like: A contest to see who can squeeze the most juice out of their grapes during a two-minute stomping session.
“People are cheering in the crowd and there are grapes flying everywhere. The juice is flowing. It’s just so much fun,” Elizabeth Shrack, communications director for Grapevine’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, tells me.
“What’s fun is you can be a total wine amateur at GrapeFest, and you’ll meet experts who will make it very accessible for you,” she says. “Winemakers want people to enjoy wine just like they do. So, they’re meeting you where you’re at, and helping you along the way.”
In other words, whether you consider yourself an experienced or an amateur sommelier, your opinion matters in Grapevine. And who knows? Your palate might just influence the next top Texan wine.
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You can learn more about Grapevine and GrapeFest here.