Weekend includes Harvest Festival at Kreutz Creek, birthday party at Black Anle

Champions of last week's Kreutz Creek grape stomp.

Among the multitude of wineries holding events this weekend are Kreutz Creek Vineyards in West Grove, Pa., and Black Ankle Vineyards in Mt. Airy, Md.

It's the second weekend of the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail's Harvest Festival, and as part of that celebration Kreutz Creek will be holding a grape stomping competition. Indeed, the photo attached to this post was taken at last week's stomp romp, and shows "Team Big Feet," which crushed more grapes than anyone else who challenged them.

This weekend's stomp will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Be there by 12:45 if you're interested in participating, since the competition will be limited to 10. Beyond that, there will be music by Swing Set, performing gypsy, swing and jazz. And owner Carole Kirkpatrick wil be making her world-famous pulled port sandwiches. As they noted in their e-letter, "stop by, taste wines, grab a bite, get jazzed and take a self-guided tour of the vineyard."

Carole and Jim Kirkpatrick are in their 20th year of making wine. Their list of 14 wines runs from Chardonnay and Niagara to Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc, along with several blends. Had the pleasure of sitting with them at last year's vintner's dinner and enjoyed their company immeasureably. They will be open for business from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, pretty similar times to what the rest of the trail's wineries will be serving.

Meanwhile, Black Ankle Vineyards will hold a special celebration for friends and case club members on Friday night, then invite the public Saturday (noon to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (noon to 5 p.m.) for a first birthday party. There will be music, hors d'oeuvres and an opportunity to taste the wines from a producer that has won first place in the state's Governor Cup competition two straight years.

Talked to co-owner Ed Boyce by phone on Wednesday and will post some of his thoughts about one of the most successful debuts that any business could have. Plan to get that up online by Friday morning.