Grape Stomping in wine country – Ponte Winery, Temecula

Set in the ideal, end of the summer weather and the lush landscape of Temecula’s wine country, this year’s Ponte Winery’s 9th Annual Grape Stomp at Ponte Family Estate hosted a series of festivities to kick off the 2011 harvest. From the grape stomping competition to the gourmet dinner, patrons enjoyed an evening of excitement and satisfied bellies.
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Stomp the Vineyard

The main event at the Ponte Winery’s 9th Annual Grape Stomp, the grape stomp, included 4 rounds of intense competition. The challenge had grapes being stomped a la I Love Lucy style with a partner catching the juices in a clear wine bottle. The winning pairs from each round then competed in the Final Round for a case of Ponte Winery Wine, a $300 value. Additional activities included a horse drawn carriage ride of the 300 acre property, a tractor ride through the vineyard, and a complete gourmet dinner.

Food and Wine, a Classic Combination

Interlaced with the nights events, guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner provided by Executive Chef Vincent Logan. Dinner comprised of never-ending appetizers of scallops wrapped in bacon, roasted figs and goat cheese, mini beef wellingtons, and a seafood bar. Then a buffet style dinner of heirloom tomato salad, sweet corn raviolis with rock shrimp lobster sauce, baked rigatoni, carved grassfed New York strip loin with mushroom demi glaze, and carved dried fruit stuffed pork loin in red wine reduction to name a few. Finishing with mini desserts such as fruit tarts, chocolate cakes and mousses. Of course, wine from the Ponte Winery was also served providing an extensive list of wines including Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, and a sparkling Moscato.

More From Ponte

Besides the Grape Stomp Event, the Ponte Winery hosts regular wine tastings in the Tasting Room, tours of the Ponte Family Estate, and offers a wine club, as well as hosting weddings, private parties, and corporate events. Chef Logan’s cuisine can also be enjoyed and paired with Ponte wine at The Smoke House Restaurant located on the estate. Coming soon, the Ponte Vineyard Inn will provide 60 rooms from mini suites to the presidential suite, set to open April 1st, 2012.

Photography provided by Natalie M. Woyshner

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