By Gia Hale
Wine lovers from all over the region flocked to Pietra Santa
Winery for its Third Annual Grape Stomp
– and they weren’t afraid to get their feet dirty.
Wine lovers from all over the region flocked to Pietra Santa Winery for its Third Annual Grape Stomp – and they weren’t afraid to get their feet dirty.
“I’ve got my zip-off shorts,” said Jet Middaugh, from Felton. “I’ve got long pants on but I can zip them off and I’m all prepared, just in case. I even scrubbed my feet this morning.”
At the Grape Stomp Saturday afternoon, attendees enjoyed live music, dancing, food and wine. The actual grape stomping is one of several different contests at the event, like Bocce Ball and the Salami Toss, in which participants can compete to win prizes.
“It’s a blast. It’s a really fun day,” said Hospitality Manager Linda Kiener, who was in charge of planning the event. “People always come and enjoy themselves, so it’s one of our favorite events.”
Middaugh, a member of Pietra Santa’s wine club, said the Grape Stomp reminds her of the classic episode of “I Love Lucy” where Lucille Ball tries her luck at stomping grapes.
“I’ve seen it in ‘I Love Lucy’ and I would just like to try it, or at least watch it in person,” she said.
Fremont resident Sheryle Eagle also said the TV icon sparked her interest in participating.
“I’m ready,” Eagle said. “I mean Lucy looked like she was having such a good time, I think I may just do it.”
Hollister native Jeff Marsh wasn’t so sure whether or not he’d hop in a vat of grapes.
“Maybe after a glass of wine or two it’s possible,” he said.
The Grape Stomp has become one of the winery’s most popular events, drawing in 300 to 400 people each year.
Shalini Mitha of San Carlos attended the Grape Stomp last year and came back again this year.
“I love wine and I love good food with my family, so I look forward to it,” she said. “I won a prize last year, so I’m coming for the grand prize.”
Mitha explained a bit of the grape-stomping experience.
“It gets pretty sticky and wet, but it’s fun,” she said.
Holly Richards is also a veteran of the Grape Stomp.
“I did it last year and I didn’t win but I had a great time,” Richards said. “I never realized how difficult it was on the bottoms of your feet – a little painful – but it was fun.”
Volunteer Mario Ferrito worked at the Salami Toss and said that, unfortunately, he couldn’t participate.
“I had a bizarre grape-stomping accident a couple years ago and pulled a hamstring, so I’m out this year,” he said.
Though the Grape Stomp was one of the most unique attractions of the event, the wine and the vineyard’s landscape were the true stars.
“Their wines are incredible,” Marsh said. “And once you get past the wines this is the most incredible valley that I think is here in all of Hollister. You look around and everywhere you look there are vines on the hills. The facility itself is beautiful. It just doesn’t get any better than this, really.”
“People come here to have a really fun time, and we try to accommodate them the best we can,” Kiener said. “People always know they’re going to leave with something and feel pretty good about themselves, so it’s always good.”
Richards agreed that the event was a success.
“It’s a beautiful winery and I hope to come back year after year.”
Pietra Santa is located off Cienega road in the Hollister Hills. It produces many different varieties of wine, including Merlot, Dolcetto, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio and Zinfandel, as well as olive oil from its own olive trees.
