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Special Events Highlight 26th Annual GrapeFest

As you sip, savor and stomp your way through Grapevine’s 26th Annual GrapeFest Sept. 13, 14, 15 and 16, make sure to attend some of this year’s highlighted special events.    

Sip at the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, the largest consumer judged wine competition in the United States.  You can sample nearly 150 wines from 40 Texas wineries and vote on your favorite.  A booklet detailing the wines being offered and a ballot are provided to each guest upon entry.  The 90-minute sessions begin on Thursday, Sept. 13 and are held throughout the four-day festival.  The winners of the competition will be announced on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m.  Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance.  Guests must be 21 years old or older.  This event takes place at the Cotton Belt Depot District.

Sip some more at the Vintners’ Auction Classic.  This annual GrapeFest highlight, held on Friday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Headquarters, benefits the Grapevine Heritage Foundation and the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association.  Guests can bid on exciting vacation packages, wine dinners, vineyard tours and more and will enjoy Texas wines and heavy hors d’oeuvres.  This year welcomes the second annual Bubbles & Baubles event.  One hundred glasses of champagne will be sold for $50 apiece, each containing a one-carat gem.  One special glass will contain a one-carat diamond.  The gems can be authenticated at Bermuda Gold & Silver at 404 S. Main St. in Grapevine.  Tickets for the Vintners’ Auction Classic are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  This event is located at 636 S. Main St.

Tip your hat to Texas Wine at the Texas Wine Tribute!  This year’s theme is “Hats Off to Texas!”  Experience a delicious five course meal along with some of the best wines Texas has to offer at the Texas Wine Tribute dinner, benefitting Metroport Meals On Wheels, on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center.  One of the most popular GrapeFest events, this black-tie gala sells out every year.  Tickets are $125 per person and must be purchased in advance.  This event is located at 1800 State Hwy. 26 E.

Swing into some fun at the 5th Annual GrapeFest Golf Classic on Monday, Sept. 10 at the Grapevine Golf Course.  This three-person scramble benefits CONNECT, a non-profit association which strives to “bridge the gap” between the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, economically challenged students and the community.  CONNECT partners with other churches, non-profit organizations, civic organizations, city leaders, locally based business and philanthropic individuals to help meet basic needs of students and encourage them to focus on learning.  For more information about the CONNECT program, visit www.connectGCISD.org.  Check-in begins at 6:30 a.m. with an 8 a.m. start.  The cost is $100 per player and includes breakfast, a golf cart, lunch and prizes.  This event is located at 3800 Fairway Dr.

Feel like a Grand Slam champ or just want to hit a few volleys?  Channel your inner tennis champion at the GrapeFest Tennis Classic at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center on Sept. 14, 15 and 16.  This three-day event will be fun for all members of the family to play or to watch.  This event is located at 1800 Highway 26 East.

On Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., stop by Grapevine’s Nash Farm for ItalianCarFest.  This year’s event features the Italian Connection, a special display of automobiles with partial Italian heritage.  Some automobiles are designed by well-known Italian stylists, with examples like Giugiaro's BMW M1 and DeLorean.  Others will be automobiles with Italian engines such as the Citroen SM, which is powered by Maserati and Italian-bodied cars such as the Cadillac Allante, by Pininfarina.  Entries in this new class will compete for Best of Class and 2nd Place awards.  Up to 80 cars and 20 two-wheelers will be on display.  Food and soft drinks will be available for purchase.  The event and parking are free.  This event is located at 626 Ball St.

GrapeFest – A Wine Experience will open on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m.  Admission is free to everyone all day Thursday and Friday until 5 p.m.  Hours are Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Admission prices are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (62+) and children (6-12).  Weekend passes are available for $18 and souvenir weekend passes are $23.  Admission is free for children five years old and under. 

Press release courtesy of the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

GrapeFest
Tuesday, 21 August 2012