Fall Wine Dinners, stomp-the-grapes Harvest Festival hosted by Up North vineyard

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  Food and Wine on Thu, Sep 25th, 2025 by MLive

Fall Wine Dinners, Grape‑Stomping & Harvest Festival at UP North Vineyard: A Vibrant Celebration of Michigan’s Viticulture

In late September, the rolling hills of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula once again come alive with a splash of crimson, amber, and golden‑amber. The “Fall Wine Dinners & Stomp the Grapes Harvest Festival” at UP North Vineyard—a family‑owned winery that has been turning the region’s rocky soils into a veritable wine‑bounty for more than three decades—has returned this year with an expanded lineup of tastings, live music, and the quintessential “grape‑stomping” tradition that has become a beloved rite of passage for both seasoned oenophiles and curious first‑timers alike.

The Event, In a Nutshell

Held over the weekend of September 28‑30, the festival sits in the heart of the UP North Vineyard’s picturesque property in Gaylord, a town that has earned a reputation as Michigan’s “Gateway to the Upper Peninsula.” According to the M‑Live Life coverage, the three‑day celebration is open to all, with ticket prices ranging from $30 for a single‑day pass to $90 for a full‑weekend experience. A “Wine‑Dinner Package” is available for $125 and includes a four‑course dinner—each course carefully paired with a signature wine from the vineyard—along with a 15‑minute guided tour of the cellars and a short, hands‑on grape‑stomping demonstration.

History & Significance

The festival’s roots run deep in the vineyard’s history. As noted in the article, UP North Vineyard was founded in 1987 by the Sottile family, who were inspired by the terroir of the Upper Peninsula’s cool‑climate grape varieties. “It started as a small, community‑based harvest celebration in 1995,” explains owner and vintner Maria Sottile. “What began as a handful of friends gathering for a wine and cheese evening has blossomed into a regional highlight that draws crowds from Ann Arbor, Detroit, and even out‑of‑state visitors.”

The official UP North Vineyard website—linked within the article—provides a timeline of the festival’s evolution, highlighting milestones such as the 10th‑anniversary celebration in 2005, which saw the introduction of the “Grape‑Stomp Challenge” where participants compete for the most vigorous stomp. The website also hosts an archive of photos from past festivals, which the M‑Live Life piece showcases to illustrate the event’s communal vibe.

The Grape‑Stomping Tradition

Perhaps the festival’s most iconic activity is, of course, the grape‑stomping. The M‑Live Life article explains that the vines are harvested in the early morning when the dew still clings to the leaves, and the grapes are then crushed by foot in a large, wooden stomp pit—an old‑school technique that allows winemakers to preserve the “fruity, earthy” nuances of the grapes without the use of mechanical crushers. The festival’s official “Stomp the Grapes” page offers a video from last year’s event, complete with audio commentary from Sottile herself, who shares how the act of stomping is more than a fun party trick; it is a tactile reminder of the vineyard’s labor‑intensive heritage.

Wine‑Dinner Highlights

The festival’s signature dinner is a meticulously crafted culinary experience, as detailed in the article. The menu, curated by local chef Daniel Keefe, features:

1. Starter – Marinated cherry tomatoes with burrata, a light drizzle of aged balsamic, and a splash of the vineyard’s “Early Harvest Riesling.”
2. Soup – Creamy butternut squash topped with smoked pork belly and a spoonful of the “Oak‑Aged Chardonnay.”
3. Main Course – Herb‑crusted lamb shoulder, paired with the “Velvet Cabernet Sauvignon.”
4. Dessert – Dark chocolate mousse and a scoop of vanilla bean gelato, complemented by a “Spiced Merlot” dessert wine.

The tasting notes accompanying each wine are printed on the table menus, offering attendees an educational glimpse into the flavor profiles, fermentation methods, and aging processes that distinguish UP North Vineyard’s wines. In addition, the festival hosts a “Wine & Cheese Pairing” workshop, with a link to the official “Pairing Guide” on the vineyard’s website.

Additional Activities & Community Impact

Beyond the core wine‑and‑dine experience, the festival includes a host of ancillary activities. A “Kids’ Grape‑Stomp” zone lets children learn how to stomp grapes safely under supervision, and a “DIY Cork Crafts” station offers visitors the chance to make their own personalized cork coasters. The article notes that a portion of ticket proceeds goes to the Upper Peninsula Community Food Bank, reinforcing the vineyard’s commitment to local philanthropy.

Live music performances are scheduled throughout the day, featuring regional folk bands and a guest appearance by the “Blue‑Sky Quartet.” The music schedule is posted on the festival’s Facebook page, a link provided in the article, and is regularly updated with last‑minute band line‑ups.

How to Attend

Interested visitors can purchase tickets directly through the UP North Vineyard’s “Festival Ticketing” portal, linked from the M‑Live Life article. For those traveling from afar, the official tourism site for Michigan—featured in a sidebar link—provides accommodation suggestions, dining recommendations, and travel tips for navigating the Upper Peninsula’s scenic routes. The festival also partners with local tour operators to offer guided wine‑tasting tours that culminate in a visit to the vineyard’s main tasting room.

Conclusion

The Fall Wine Dinners & Stomp the Grapes Harvest Festival at UP North Vineyard is more than a celebration of the season’s bounty; it is a living testament to Michigan’s burgeoning wine culture, a community gathering that blends tradition with contemporary hospitality, and an invitation to taste the very soul of the Upper Peninsula. Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier, a curious traveler, or a local looking to reconnect with your hometown’s heritage, the festival offers an immersive experience that is both educational and exuberantly joyous. As M‑Live Life’s coverage aptly puts it, “In the crisp September air, surrounded by rows of gleaming vines and the resonant stomp of feet, the Upper Peninsula’s wines are not just tasted—they’re felt.”