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Written by Angela Ann
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Monday, 17 November 2008 00:00 |
Wine grape harvest is wrapping up for the year in Northern California. One of the traditions of harvest season is of course, the grape crush. In these days of high tech everything (even winemaking), a few vintners still allow the public to crush some of their grapes the old fashioned way… with their feet.
Amphora Winery in Healdsburg, California (Sonoma County) is one of those wineries. But Amphora’s crush has a higher purpose. This year is Amphora’s fourth annual “Stomp Out Breast Cancer” grape crush.
Amphora owner and winemaker, Rick Hutchinson started this annual fundraiser because breast cancer has been very cruel to his family. Two of Rick’s sisters were killed by the disease. They are the inspiration for this event and for the name of the wine it produces, “Due Sorelle” which means “two sisters” in Italian.
“I felt very helpless about this disease,” said Rick. “But with this winery, I have a little power. I decided to raise awareness and raise money to help disadvantaged women get mammograms.”
Stompers pay $25 to participate. Net sales of Due Sorelle and the funds raised at the event go to the Santa Rosa Sutter Breast Care Center. The timing is perfect because, October is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”
Another thing about this grape stomp that makes it special is; only women are allowed to touch the grapes. Sorry guys, you only get to cheer us on and bring us glasses of Amphora wine to keep us motivated.
When I arrived at Amphora, all of the picking bins were full of women, just stomping away. Actually, the gals were dancing. Music was playing, wine was flowing, so the stompers were gettin’ their grove on.
The ladies were stomping Cabernet Sauvignon this year. I quickly jumped in a tub and joined the party. As luck would have it, my tub was full of bodacious blondes, one of them a breast cancer survivor. Sheila is friendly mom and grandma who wants to do her part to help others with breast cancer. Sheila was joined by her daughter, Dawn. Even though Dawn is below the recommended age of 40 to get a mammogram, she has been getting the x-ray for years, as a precaution.
“I’m doing this for my daughters,” said Sheila. “I want them and every woman out there to know you can survive breast cancer if you find it early enough.”
Sheila and Dawn are grape stompin’ pros. But this was my first grape stomp. I didn’t quite know what to expect. The grape sludge was a little cold and well, slushy. I could feel that there were a few grapes that hadn’t been sufficiently smashed, so I did my best to squish them. The bottom of the tub was a little slippery at times, which made dancing a little precarious. I managed to stay upright, which was a minor miracle.
I had to admit that I was VERY afraid of coming out of the picking bin with red feet and stained clothes, so I wore some really OLD denim bib overalls I dug out of my closet, vintage 1990. To my welcome surprise, my feet did not get stained and my clothes were fine. I just looked like a big dork (I swear Demi Moore and Drew Barrymore used to wear over-alls just like this, back in the day)!
I had a blast at my first grape stomp and plan to return next year. I have to come back if I want to snag a bottle of MY wine, stomped by my own two feet. Plus, this is an incredibly fun way to fight breast cancer.
This event is a huge amount of work for Rick and the volunteers who help him every year.
“I love seeing all these women come out to help, said Rick. “When a 15 year breast cancer survivor comes up and gives me a hug, I know it’s worth it. I know I’m making a difference.”
You can still help, even if you missed the event. You can buy the 2005 Due Sorelle, Cabernet Sauvignon for $35 a bottle. Remember all net proceeds go the Santa Rosa Sutter Breast Care Center.
Amphora Winery is located at: 4791 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Amphora’s tasting room is open from 11am to 4pm daily. Groups of eight or more should call for an appointment, (707) 431-7767.
For more information about Amphora Wines and events at the winery or to purchase Due Sorelle or other Amphora wines, go to their website at www.amphorawines.com.
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