Sip, Savor, Celebrate

Uncork the fun at GrapeFest's ultimate wine weekend in Grapevine

You'll want to get your tickets now.

Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

This September, Grapevine’s Historic Main Street transforms into a wine paradise with a Roaring Twenties twist as the 39th Annual GrapeFest – A Texas Wine Experience, presented by Bank of the West, uncorks four days of flavor, fun, and festivities.

Running September 11-14, this year’s “Grape Gatsby” theme pays homage to the glamour and indulgence of the 1920s — minus the prohibition, of course.

Fresh off being named one of USA TODAY’s Top 10 Best Wine Festivals in the U.S., GrapeFest promises an unforgettable experience filled with live music, artisan vendors, iconic festival bites, and plenty of opportunities to raise a glass.

GrapeFest Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

The People’s Choice: You be the judge

The People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, presented by Audi Grapevine and the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the country, puts the power in your hands. Across ten 90-minute sessions, you’ll sample Texas wines in categories from dry whites to bold reds, delicate rosés to rich blends, and cast your vote for the best.

Opt for a VIP People’s Choice session and enjoy limited-capacity tastings that offer a more intimate wine experience, plus a souvenir glass and wine guide to help you navigate the flavors. With Texas winemakers on hand to share their craft, this is your chance to sip, swirl, and decide who takes home the bragging rights.

GrapeFest Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

Barossa bound: Win an Australian wine escape

This year, tasting could be your ticket across the globe. Thanks to Qantas, Barossa, and South Australia, one lucky festivalgoer will win a six-night, seven-day luxury getaway Down Under to Barossa and Adelaide.

The prize includes roundtrip Qantas economy flights from DFW, upscale accommodations, private Barossa winery tours, and luxury transfers. To enter, simply stop by the Qantas booth during the festival.

While you’re there, immerse yourself in the flavors of Barossa through the Barossa Premium Wine Experience, engaging wine master classes, and expert-led wine seminars.

GrapeFest Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

More ways to enjoy the 'Grape Gatsby'

Beyond People’s Choice and the Australian getaway, GrapeFest is overflowing with opportunities to sip, savor, and celebrate:

International Wine Experience – Travel the globe without leaving Main Street, featuring wines from around the world, sponsored by Gaylord Texan Resort.
Champagne Terrace – Effervescent delights in a stylish, relaxed setting, sponsored by Hilton DFW Lakes.
GrapeStomp – Kick off your shoes, roll up your pants, and live your best Lucy Ricardo moment.
Champagne Cork Shoot-Off – Cheer on the corks as they fly.
Live Music & Entertainment – From jazz to Texas country, the soundtrack to your weekend is set.
Artisan Marketplace & Festival Bites – Shop unique finds, savor festival classics, and discover gourmet treats.

All of this takes place along Grapevine’s Historic Main Street, lined with charming shops, tasting rooms, and the kind of small-town character that makes this festival as welcoming as it is world-class.

Plan your GrapeFest getaway

Whether you come for the competition, the culture, or the sheer joy of wine tasting, GrapeFest is the kind of event that becomes an annual tradition.

Tickets are on sale now, and popular tastings — especially the VIP People’s Choice sessions — sell out fast. Secure yours today at GrapeFest.com and get ready to toast to Texas wine, Gatsby-style.

festivals wine grapevine grapefest barossa wines grape gatsby promoted

This week in gluttony

Pork chops sizzle in 7 best food and drink events in Dallas this week

perrysteakhouse.com

The famous pork chop at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille.

Temperatures are still hot but the grand opening of a new Italian ice and frozen custard shop will help keep things cool this week. A pizza joint's 10th anniversary provides for pies at a price that's easy on the wallet, and there's also a steal of a deal on a legendary steakhouse pork chop come Thursday. Plan for a family-friendly brewery birthday party come Saturday.

Tuesday, August 25

Pie Tap 10th Anniversary
The Dallas pizza chain known for its multi-day fermented sourdough crust will celebrate 10 years in business with $10 pizzas at all seven DFW locations. Choose from options like hot pepperoni with jalapenos and hot honey; and mushroom with caramelized onion with fontina cheese and a farm egg. Guests will want to visit throughout the rest of August as well, as Pie Tap is also randomly picking up patron tabs as a “thank you” to the communities that have supported the brand over the past decade.

iichiko Shochu x Midnight Rambler
The subterranean speakeasy under The Joule will welcome guest bartender George Kailho of Tei-An for an educational happy hour celebrating 100 years of Japanese cocktail culture in conjunction with iichiko Shochu, a native spirit of Japan. A seminar for industry professionals starts at 4 pm followed by happy hour at 5 pm (open to the public, no reservation required) featuring three Japanese cocktails by Kailho: the Million Dollar, Bamboo, and Lemon Sour. The event will run until 7 pm.

Wednesday, August 26

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Grand Opening
The world’s largest Italian ice concept will celebrate the opening of its new shop in Carrollton (4213 N. Josey Lane) with sweet giveaways. The first 50 guests will receive a Rita’s gift bag with merch, and in select bags, a golden ticket good for a week’s worth of Italian ice or frozen custard. The Pennsylvania-based brand opened a North Richland Hills location in July, and locations in Farmers Branch and Flower Mound will follow later this year. The grand opening will take place at 12 noon.

Thursday, August 27

National Pork Chop Day at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
Perry’s enormous pecan-wood roasted pork chop has anchored the steakhouse’s menu since its early beginnings in Houston. Now the restaurant will celebrate the signature dish (in conjunction with National Pork Chop Day) with a four-course dinner. Highlights from the prix-fixe menu include skewers of pork chop “bites,” white bean pork chili, Perry’s famous 18-ounce pork chop, and orange vanilla cream cheesecake. The dinner is $44 and is available after 4 pm by request. Perry’s has locations in Dallas, Frisco, and Grapevine.

A Lucky Pairing: Chef’s Dinner with Suerte Tequila at Ollie’s Azul House
Suerte means “luck” in Spanish, and Ollie’s Azul House in Rowlett will toast to buena suerte during this four-course tequila pairing dinner featuring four expressions of Suerte Tequila. The menu includes shrimp aguachile with blanco tequila, charred octopus with still strength tequila, duck breast with mole negro with reposado tequila, and olive oil cake with anejo tequila. The dinner is $55 and will run from 7-9 pm.

Saturday, August 29

Lakewood Brewing 14th Anniversary
The Garland brewery will mark 14 years with a day-long anniversary bash. The free-to-attend, family-friendly event will feature live music, local vendors, food from the Lakewood kitchen, and lots of craft beer, including a special American barley wine called Lion’s Share XIV brewed just for the occasion. Guests can also sample a selection of anniversary beers from years past. The agenda also includes beer poking, a centuries-old technique that uses a heated brewing poker to caramelize sugars in the beer. Don’t miss vendors T-Rex Pickles and Married to Sugar who’ll bring specialty creations made using Lakewood beers. The party will run from 12-7 pm.

Monday, August 31

Mixology Mondays at The Parlor
The speakeasy-inspired lounge inside Sheraton Dallas will launch Mixology Mondays, an opportunity to learn the art of cocktail-making with a different signature drink featured each week. Participants will get to shake up classics like the Manhattan, Cosmopolitan, Sidecar, and Old Fashioned during the hour-long experience. Class is $30 (includes free parking) and begins at 5 pm.

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