Last Saturday, I gave up a free ticket to the Maryland Terps football game to attend a different event; the annual “Grape Stomp” at Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard. As I approached the entrance, I passed the Comus Inn on the right. A stately, white colonial building with a red steel roof; this is one of Maryland’s finest restaurants that blends with the scenery and goes unnoticed…unless of course you have been there. I have eaten there on several occasions and each time I have been delighted. As I turned right on Comus Road, my friend Emily screamed with excitement at a deafening decibel, “Pumpkins!” While I was not looking for pumpkins on this particular day, I felt the same level of excitement as I prepared myself for something I believe warrants the “You haven’t lived until” type of statement…stomping grapes!
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard is a beautiful 92-acre property with 12-acres dedicated to grapes. On Saturday, we were certainly not blessed with the type of weather that warrants spreading out a blanket; but people within the wine community are a resilient bunch. There was a couple who brought a camping tent who had no qualms about getting soaked as they prepared their private oasis for the duration. If I had to guess, I would say that somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 – 400 people gathered under a tent to enjoy the harvest, some wine, some music and to witness the feature event.
Throughout the day the event featured three musical acts. Two lone guitarists, and a four person band I can only describe as a hybrid between the Beatles and Lynyrd Skynyrd. One of their best musical displays of the day was “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash. The youngest participant was three months strapped to the front of her mother in a papoose, and the oldest in probably the mid-sixties.
Food was available from two vendors. I am told that the gentleman offering grilled cheese sandwiches had one that included crab meat, and from another traveling trailer was pulled pork. It may have paired nicely with a glass of Chardonnay and Circe; respectively. Another addition I thought to be an excellent “touch of class” was Jennifer. Jennifer is a freelance calligraphist who several years ago fired her investment advisor, fired her husband and plowed her savings into a conference on the aforementioned art form. In a matter of seconds, she inscribes your glass at the base to commemorate the event. And folks, this was included in your admission. Tips appropriate.
Thankfully the foresight of the event director was rewarded. We huddled under a large heated tent complete with six tasting tables, a dozen round tables, an area for dancing and a covered stage for stomping.
I always make it a point to talk to as many people as possible. You learn where people are from, how they heard about the event, why they love wine and the festivals they attend; and sometimes trade secrets known only to the locals. To my delight, I found two ladies that I spent the bulk of the afternoon with…Carol and Traci. From Gaithersburg and Rockville, Maryland, we talked about the mundane and even finances and real estate. After a few minutes talking about their favorite wines, I decided to ask Traci to join me in stomping grapes. She had never shared this experience, and flying solo; I was looking for a “partner in crime.”
I knew Traci would be an excellent partner when she asked Jennifer to have “Wineaux” inscribed on her glass. As we talked further into the afternoon, I found that she shared an equally genuine passion for food and fine wine, much like me. Designated the social director, I was responsible for figuring out the names of the bands, the time period for our upcoming contest in the barrel and where to go for lunch. While none of us made it far from the wine pourers within the tent area, I was able to recommend the Comus Inn for a future dinner reservation.
The moment of truth came later in the festival during the last “stomp” of the day. Judge McKenna stood at the base of the stage, bull horn in hand and shouted instructions. We had exactly (30) seconds to create as much juice with our bare feet. There was a hose from the wooden barrel into a bucket. In a display of sportsmanship, Traci and I held hands until the siren from the bull horn sounded. A classic and appropriate chant from the crowd was heard in unison, “Stomp them grapes, Stomp them grapes.” In the end, Traci would prove victorious by a large margin. The underdog and rookie stomping contestant prevailed. Judge McKenna’s wife Lois and his granddaughter graciously helped Traci and I hose off our grape colored [and covered] feet, and retrieve our socks and shoes after a quick dry with a towel.
I must say it was a perfect ending to a fabulous event. Weather notwithstanding, I had gained what I had come for. An appreciation for newly discovered Maryland wines, new friends, another experience to share with my readers; a new memory to catalogue. Its times like Saturday that one should realize just how blessed we really are. I may have suffered a slight stress fracture in the process, but it pales in comparison to the experience I will undoubtedly remember from a rainy day at Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard.
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards
18125 Comus Road
Dickerson, MD 20842
1.301.605.0130
http://www.smvwinery.com
The Comus Inn
23900 Old Hundred Road
Dickerson, MD 20842
1.301.349.5100
http://www.thecomusinn.com
Just Write Studios Calligraphy & Engraving
Jennifer Muffler
1.240.882.2466
jenny@justwritestudios.com
Comments
Sounds like a fun time. Thanks for letting me live it through your writing.
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