Arkansas Times

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Friday, July 30, 2010

Stomped

Posted by Kat Robinson on Fri, Jul 30, 2010 at 11:20 PM

Grav Weldon

It’s been a fun evening, to say the least. Today’s assignment — the Altus Grape Festival. Each year folks come out in droves for lots of grape-centric fun. There’s a grape pie eating contest, amateur winemaker competition, wine sampling ($3 for the glass and as many 1 ounce samples as you want to enjoy from the area’s four wineries) and of course grape stomping.

It’s the latter I really wanted to try tonight. Earlier in the week disappointment had set in, though. I’d called up and asked about being able to stomp Friday night (I have another assignment Saturday in Heber Springs) but was told that the only grape stomping Friday would be a celebrity grape stomping, and it was full. Well, fair enough.

My photographer and I got into Altus as the festival was kicking off early this evening. The temperatures were still in the upper 90s and all around we noticed people seated and fanning themselves. But there was a lot of fun going on. The kids were playing on inflatable air toys and on the playground and swings. There was a lot of opportunity for shopping for arts and crafts and tie-dye t-shirts. There was grilling and smoking and concessions and live music, another great Arkansas festival underway.

But damn it was hot. Grav and I ducked into Kelt’s — my favorite pub in the whole wide world, in case you were wondering. I wanted to share with him this great spot for suds and a steak. He’d volunteered to go back out and shoot the celebrity grape stomp for me. I just wanted my iced tea and the AC.

We talked for a bit with people there, including Dan the owner/cook, and then Grav was on his way. I got through my second glass of iced tea and was talking with a group at the next table when Grav came running in.

“Kat, go change, now!” he hollered.

“Whut?”

“They have a space in the grape stomp.”

I jumped up. “Dan, we’ll be back in a few!” I hollered, and took off out the door and down the street to go get my other clothes out of the car. See, I’m an optimist. I really hoped I’d get the chance to stomp grapes. Never done it before. Wanted a shot. You know how that is, right?

Grav Weldon

Got to the car, changed pants to shorts (changing tops in public was about out of the question) and jogged back to the staging area. There I was greeted by several people, including Altus mayor Veronica Post, who signed me up on the list and took my information down. I spotted Shane Broadway and Mark Martin (the state rep running for Secretary of State, not the race car driver) nearby, and found that they too were getting ready for the stomp.

We each shed our shoes and socks and climbed up on the dais, where we washed off our feet with a spray hose. Paul Post from Post Familie Vineyards explained the rules to us — we’d step into the half-barrels at “ready,” and on “go” we’d have 45 seconds to stomp the grapes and produce as much juice as possible. At the end of 45 seconds, we’d step out and our smashing would be drained and measured.

Paul called “ready” and we all stepped in. And the grapes were pretty cold. They were also rather slippery, moreso than I had anticipated. No time to think about that, though. Soon we were to “go” and we were all mashing for all we were worth.

I found myself quickly doubled over, just like the other contestants, holding onto the edge of the barrel for dear worth and hoping I wouldn’t fall and bust my tail on this stage. I found if I held on I could get going pretty fast, but let me tell you what — quick stomps over 45 minutes worth of time actually feels more like… well, it’s hard to describe. You get tired quick. It’s not like “I Love Lucy.” It’s heavy work!

Grav Weldon

The countdown ended and the competition came to an end. We all stepped out and passed the garden hose back and forth to wash our feet. One by one the half-barrels were lifted and poured into a big funnel and sieve combination. The juice poured through and funneled into the bottles held below.

I just knew I hadn’t done that well. I saw so many unburst grapes floating in the half-barrel I had stomped in. But when my bottle was held up after its turn under the funnel, it was just about an inch away from full. A few moments later and it was apparent — somehow or another I’d won the damn thing.

Grav Weldon

There were photos. There was the promise of if we wanted it, we could take home our own toe-jam juice bottles. Mark Post told us that was okay, he’d accept our donation of juice for processing (and we all accepted). We were all given certificates, and I got a t-shirt.

It was cool. I was really looking forward to the competition (as you can read over in a Tie Dye Travels entry from earlier this week). And I had a great time.

As soon as we’d settled things up, Grav and I made a bee-line over to Kelt’s, where Dan had kept our places for us. We sat and he delivered out our dinners, ready to go when we got in. Yeah, another great reason I love Altus.

The Altus Grape Festival continues through Saturday. Go stomp some grapes and have a good time.

Tags: grapes, Altus, Altus Grape Festival, stomping

        
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A great story. Now if only we could have the opportunity to enjoy some of our local wines in Little Rock area restaurants....

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Posted by MysteryShopper on July 31, 2010 at 7:17 AM

Hear martin is going to cardboat boat races too!

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Posted by quick_fsm on July 31, 2010 at 9:04 AM

Meant to add, I assume that is why you are going to Heber Springs. Cardboard boat races...

KAT: Martin? Meh, I'm always collecting information on Arkansas' fine festivals. It was damn hot today. Next time I'm bringing my water wings and a one-piecer.

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Posted by quick_fsm on July 31, 2010 at 9:08 AM

congratulations, Ms. Grape Stomper 2010, or whatever they call it! I live so close to there and have never been. The little park in the center of town is gorgeous at Christmas, though.

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Posted by Tina on August 1, 2010 at 3:16 PM

Congratulations on winning the grape stomping contest Kat!
You obviously have good understanding, not to mention you're quick on your feet.
Sorry I missed seeing you in the park, I was busy give tour through our nice and cool tankrooms. Cheers to you!

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Posted by Joseph Post on August 4, 2010 at 2:59 PM

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