Did you know a Texas wine had a hand in ending the Cold War? In 1990, then President Bush served Soviet President Gorbachev a 1987 Llano Estacado Chardonnay with shrimp and crabmeat salad at Camp David. Texas is also home to such wines as Cap Rock, Delaney Vineyards and Pheasant Ridge. Even the town of Grapevine was named for Mustang grapes that covered the area when setters arrived on the scene in 1844. Appropriately, Grapevine will honor this fine heritage with the 20th Anniversary Grapefest, the largest wine festival in the Southwest. This year's "Sparkling Celebration" will feature selections of sparkling wines and champagnes, live music, a live and silent auction and various other grape-oriented activities such as grape stomping, grape crushing, grape pie-eating contests and a display of prowess from a Guinness World Record holder in grape catching. Who knew? The way it looks the only thing missing is an appearance from Grape Ape. Admission is free from 11 a.m. on Thursday until 5 p.m. on Friday. 5 p.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Sunday, admission is $3 to $6 with weekend passes costing $10. Head to the Texas Historic Main Street District in Grapevine. Call 817-410-3185 or visit grapevinetexasusa.com.
Sept. 7-10