Have a stompin’ good time at Grand Pacific Drive!
Wine lovers taking the Grand Pacific Drive 90 minutes south of Sydney to Crooked River Wines are being invited to have a stompin’ good time with the winery’s 2007 vintage.
During the weekends of February 17/18 and February 24/25 and on Sunday, March 4, the Illawarra’s largest winery will allow visitors to throw off their shoes and socks and dive into vats of grapes as part of what’s become an annual ‘Stomping of the Grapes’.
“Grape stomping dates back thousands of years and has become something of a ritual in all of the great wine growing regions of Europe,” said winery owner Brian Jackson.
“Three years ago we decided to give it a go here and it’s been a resounding success. Not only do wine lovers get to jump into vats of grapes but they can round it all off with a three course meal in our restaurant enjoying wine from earlier stomps.
“It’s all great fun with wandering musicians providing a carnival atmosphere, the winery’s elevated location offering panoramic ocean and vineyard views, and the stompers getting to feel that they have contributed in a meaningful way to the vintage.”
Tourism Wollongong General Manager Greg Binskin said Crooked River Winery’s ‘Stomping of the Grapes’ was typical of the events that stood to directly benefit from the opening of Grand Pacific Drive.
“We’ve seen attendance at local attractions and events dramatically increase since the opening of Wollongong’s Seacliff Bridge last summer, giving holidaymakers extra reason to head into the Illawarra and beyond to the South Coast.”
Bookings are essential to stomp, and can be made on 02 4234 0975. The $5 per person cover charge is donated to Westmead Children’s Hospital as part of Crooked River Winery’s ongoing relationship with the hospital.
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