You’ll never find anyone calling me a wine connoisseur. I sometimes mix a splash of Coke Zero with Merlot – try it, it’s surprisingly refreshing.
But I do know this, wine, simply put, is great. There’s just something about a glass that says, “Relax, take a load off, enjoy the sunset and calm breeze.” Of course, we live in Texas, so that calm breeze part might not be around for a few months yet, but the rest applies. And there is no better place for my money to enjoy wine than Grapevine.
But don’t just take my word for it. The city’s annual event, GrapeFest, was recently named one of the nation’s top 10 wine festivals by “USA Today.” It ranks No. 7 in the publication’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Personally, my wife, the lovely Mrs. Junell, and I have enjoyed wine in many places throughout this great country and beyond. In fact, we are in the northern California wine country as I write this (and before you ask, yes, I’m sober, lol).
Now in its 39th year, GrapeFest is the largest wine festival in the southwest. You don’t stick around that long and grow that much unless you’re great at what you do. Each September, visitors flock to Grapevine’s Historic Main Street for a weekend filled with wine tastings and wine experiences, live music, family-friendly activities and time-honored traditions.
“We’re honored to be recognized by contributors and readers of ‘USA Today 10BEST,” said Paul W. McCallum, Executive Director of the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“This award celebrates not just our wine culture, but the incredible volunteers, dedicated city crews and loyal guests who return year after year to make GrapeFest such a memorable experience.”
Nominees for the 10BEST list were selected by USA TODAY editors and a panel of wine and travel experts. However, don’t think the winners were chosen just by a “special panel” as the public was included as well with four weeks of voting.
With all due respect to the connoisseurs (this is probably the first time I’ve ever used that word twice in the same column) and experts, there is no greater voice than the public when it comes to promoting your product.
And this member of the public endorses the decision to honor GrapeFest 100 percent. In fact, I’ll likely be endorsing it with a toast on location in a few weeks when this year’s GrapeFest takes place Sept. 11-14 on Grapevine’s Historic Main Street. Perhaps we’ll see ya there. To plan your visit head to GrapeFest.com.
Also, Coke, Pepsi, et al, if you’re thinking about releasing your own blend that includes wine, I expect to be compensated handsomely for the idea.
