‘I’ve seen people take the grapes and put them on their body:’ Grape harvest time means stomping on them at Casa Larga Vineyards

FAIRPORT, N.Y. (WROC) — People in our area will have the chance to truly get into the wine-making spirit, at Casa Larga Vineyards. The annual Purple Foot Festival allows participants to try out the old-world tradition of grape stomping.

“My favorite part about the festival is watching people get in the barrel and stomp, and the reactions on their faces,” said Andrea Colaruotolo O’Neil, the president at Casa Larga Vineyards. “Or I’ve seen people take the grapes and put them on their body like it’s spa therapy. So, I’ve seen a lot of different things in the barrels, and that’s the most fun.”

Andrea says her father is originally from Italy and started the vineyard in 1974 — as a hobby. So, she grew up here.

“He loved making wine and farming. He grew up on a farm with his parents in Italy and one of the things they did there, is grow grapes and make wine,” she said.

When she was a kid, her dad told her stories about how in Italy women used to be the ones who stomped on the grapes because their feet were considered more delicate.

After seeing people’s interest in grape stomping, she thought it would be neat to bring the tradition to the local community. She also says, the warmer weather is great for the grapes — and this season has been especially fruitful.

“We need it to continue to be warm and sunny, it helps the grapes to ripen. Rain is not good at this time of year because the grapes will actually absorb the rain and the grapes will lose sweetness. So, this is great, we want this to continue,” said Andrea.

Andrea can’t wait for people to get their feet dirty this weekend! News 8’s Oran Spitzer got to squish some grapes herself. Watch her interview up top.

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