GrapeFest organizers are celebrating this week after the weekend's festivities attracted more than 262,000 to historic downtown Grapevine.
The 26th Annual GrapeFest, which boasts being the largest wine festival in the Southwest, saw an 8 percent jump in attendance this year over 2011. And although crowds dwindled some this spring during Main Street Days, the city's two largest festivals combined saw a 2 percent increase in attendance over 2011 and the highest number of combined attendance in city history.
"The 26th Annual GrapeFest was a huge success," Festival Co-chairman Mark Terpening said in a news release from the Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Throughout the festival, folks from all over North Texas, the Southwest and the nation, along with many international guests, enjoyed a truly spectacular event."
Other notable happenings during GrapeFest this year included:
>> Cody Cheek and Abbey Soto, of Cedar Hill, winning the GrapeStomp event. The "Grape Expectations" team stomped a total of 46.25 ounces of juice.
>> A team from Grapevine sister city West Lothian, Scotland, winning the Mayoral GrapeStomp event with 30.75 ounces of juice stomped.
>> Nationally recognized carnival game afficionado Peter Magic winning more than 40 stuffed animals in two hours to donate to The Famiy Place, the Dallas area's largest family violence service provider.
>> Record participation of Texas wineries in the festival's annual People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic.
Winners in this year's Classic were:
Chardonnay: Messina Hof Winery and Resort | Private Reserve Chardonnay, 2011 (Bryan, TX)
White Varietals: Messina Hof Winery and Resort | Father & Son Riesling, 2011 (Bryan, TX)
White Proprietary Blends: Brennan Vineyards | Austin Street Three White Chicks, 2010 (Commanche, TX)
White Varietals, Sweet: Landon Winery | Yellow Rose, NV (McKinney, TX)
Blush/Rose: CrossRoads Winery | My Cheeky Bastard, NV (Frisco, TX)
Cabernet Sauvignon: Texas Hills Vineyard | Kick Butt Cab Newsom Vineyard, 2008 (Johnson City, TX)
Merlot: Messina Hof Winery and Resort | Private Reserve Merlot, 2009 (Bryan, TX)
Red Varietals: Lost Oak Winery | Syrah, 2010 (Burleson, TX)
Red Proprietary Blends: Bluff Dale Vineyards | Paragon, NV (Bluff Dale, TX)
Red Varietals, Sweet: Homestead Winery | Chocolate Rose, 2011 (Ivanhoe, TX)
The 27th Annual GrapeFest is scheduled for Sept. 12-15, 2013.