And they stomped
"Can't stomp to make wine 'til Papa says it's time," I heard a father say to one of the children ready to stomp the grapes. Lucy Riccardo style, the grapes are poured from a wheelbarrow into the children's swimming pool to begin the process of making communion wine for church.
It's an annual Labor Day weekend occasion where the Clark Family and friends from the community and church gather together to pick scuppernongs, bullets, or bullace, also known as grapes from the vineyard to make the wine we use to celebrate the Eucharist. (I have heard locals call scuppernongs "bullace" and "bullets" - these grapes or muscadines have a skin that is tough, almost leathery, unlike the grapes you eat from the store).
From the very youngest to those of us that are children in heart, had the opportunity to stomp... and stomp... and stomp.... just in case those of you who might think that there is some added elements into the wine because of the toes being in the grapes, there is a strict adherence to washing the feet prior to jumping into the grape pool. Now we won't mention the time the child slipped and kerplunked herself right into all the grapes and the juice.
Anyway, after the proper stompin' took place, the grapes and juice were properly strained into a large wine containers (if there is a proper name for it, let me know in the comments). Breaking bread together after such a sacred ordinary event brought folks to the table to fill their stomachs.
Thank you, Clark family, for bringing the community together to participate in preparing a part of the Eucharist in ways that have passed down through the ages, yet so few of us get to experience. It enriches our lives and ultimately feeds our soul.
Addendum: I uploaded a video on youtube for you to watch the stompers in action
For more pictures of the grape stomp, you can view them here.
Oh, that just sounds too cool!! (Most of us Baptists probably take ourselves too seriously for such as that, but I'd sure get my feet washed and participate!)
Posted by: annie | September 04, 2006 at 08:06 PM
I would have loved to have seen the purple footprints everywhere. What a wonderful town.
Posted by: Judy | September 04, 2006 at 09:15 PM
What a fantastic idea and what a wonderful community building event!
I loved the photos!
Posted by: Carolanne | September 05, 2006 at 02:42 AM
Oh my! How fun! That looks like a wonderful occasion. :)
Posted by: tonia | September 06, 2006 at 10:33 PM
The big jug is called a carboy.
Posted by: marybeth | September 15, 2006 at 02:31 PM
Couldn't get your trackback to work, Cathy.
Posted by: Donnah | September 15, 2006 at 04:21 PM