If you’ve ever wanted to smash grapes with your feet a la Lucille Ball in “I love Lucy’s” famous grape stomping scene, you won’t want to miss The Farrm’s Grape Harvest Festival this Saturday Sept 21 at 156 Youngs Avenue in Baiting Hollow.
“We’re going to have a pick ‘em, stomp ‘em and drink ‘em harvest party,” said Rexx Farr, who owns and operates The Farrm (yes, that’s two r’s) with his wife, Connie. In addition to grape stomping, festival participants will have the chance to pick merlot grapes at the Farr’s vineyard, which will then be sent to Premium Wine Group in Mattituck for fermentation and bottling.
Russell Hearn, winemaker at Premium Wine Group, will speak about the winemaking process, Farr said, and there will be a general discussion about growing grapes. The Farrm’s 2012 red wine blend will also be available to taste. Local musician Warren McKnight will also be at the event, strumming the banjo.
“He may even bring a few friends,” Farr said. The Farrm became Long Island’s first certified organic farm in 1990 and planted its first vineyard in 2005, Farr said. The farm produces wine via a small wine CSA (community-supported agriculture) called Deephole LLC. According to The Farrm’s website, Deephole sells shares to its members and invites the shareholders to participate in the growing of the grape and the making of the wine.
The Grape Harvest Festival takes place Sept. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and can be purchased at the door or online. Farrm members and children under 16 are free. The event’s rain date is Sunday, Sept. 22. For more information, call 631-369-8237.
