Celebrate the 2008 Texas Grape Harvest

Celebrate the 2008 Texas Grape Harvest

There are many events and festivals that will be held around the state of Texas leading up to and following October – Texas Wine Month. Celebrate the 2008 Texas grape harvest that appears to be one of the best in the past several years.

Thru Sept. 14: Grapefest, Grapevine. Festival includes a grape stomp, carnival midway, You be the judge tasting and kids’ activities. Biggest selection of Texas wines.  www.grapevinetexasusa.com; 800-457-6338.

Sept. 12-13: CapRock Winery Harvest and Grape Stomp. www.caprockwinery.com; 806–863–2704.

Sept. 13: Dripping with Taste Wine & Food Festival, Dripping Springs. A showcase of Texas winemakers, authors, live music, art sales and cooking demonstrations. www.drippingwithtaste.org.

Oct. 1-31: Texas Wine Month. Festivities at wineries around the state and retail locations statewide include grape stomps, dinners and tasting celebrations….Go Texan!  www.gotexanwine.org; 866-489-9463.

Oct. 1-31: Texas Wine Month Wine Trail, Hill Country. Texas Hill Country wineries offer a variety of events and tastings. www.texaswinetrail.com; 866-621-9463.

Oct. 10-12: Gruene Music & Wine Fest, Gruene. Annual festival presents wine with live music and the Great Guitar Auction. www.gruenehall.com; 830-629-5077.

Oct. 18: South Shore Dockside Food & Wine Festival, League City. Event features a celebrity grape stomp, art exhibits, and luxury and classic car shows. www.southshorefestival.com; 281-338-7339.

Oct. 18: Shrimp & Wine Festival, Wichita Falls. Shrimp BBQ plus a glass of Texas wine. www.downtownproud.com; 940-322-4525.

Oct. 25: Food & Wine Fest, Fredericksburg. Highlights include a grape toss. Also enjoy music, an auction and art. www.fbgfoodandwinefest.com; 866-839-3378.

Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Wine Tasting Festival, Round Top. Sample Texas wines, shopping and dining in a great part of Texas. www.roundtop.org; 979-249-4042.

Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Texas Fall Fest & Wine Auction, Horseshoe Bay. Tasting that features many Texas winemakers, wine-and-food-pairing seminar, cooking demonstrations and a wine auction. www.txwines.org or www.hsbresort.com; 877-611-0112.

Nov. 1: The 500 Inc. Winefest, Addison. International and Texas wineries take center stage. www.addisontexas.net  and www.the500inc.org; 800-233-4766.

Nov. 4-9: New World Wine & Food Festival, San Antonio. Includes family activities, winemaker dinners and wine tastings. See www.nwwff.org; 210-822-9555.

Nov. 13-15: Wine Premiere and Reception at Messina Hof Winery and Resort, tastings, food and wine pairing. www.messinahof.com; 800-736-9463.

Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 19-21: Hill Country Holiday Wine Trail. Sample Hill Country wines – kick back and relax. www.texaswinetrail.com; 866-621-9463.

Wine classes at Messina Hof – 3 p.m. Sept. 28 (wines of Italy), Oct. 26 (Germany), Nov. 30 France) and Dec. 28 (Spain). www.messinahof.com; 979-778-9463.

Music and wine at Haak Vineyards and Winery – Performances on Sunday nights featuring top bands and Haak wines. www.haakwine.com; 409-925-1401.