I’m not going to bore you with pictures of me stomping grapes at the Fancy Farm Vineyard. I don’t mind showing pictures of someone who looks like they know what they are doing. I didn’t. I will tell you, it’s not what you expect.
About 5 years ago Fancy Farm became the home to the Fancy Farm Vineyard. Tom Curtsinger planted some grape vines, nurtured them and waited. It took 3 years before he had enough grapes to produce anything. It has not been an easy trek but you can tell it has been fun and rewarding.
One of the things that Tom has offered to his friends and family is the opportunity to come out a couple of weekends a year and pick the grapes, stomp the grapes and in the last couple of years, sip from the fruits of their labor.
I was invited to come out and try it. I didn’t hesitate as I am very encouraged by this small business venture in Fancy Farm. Tom really knows his stuff and although he will tell you how well his wine has done at different contests throughout the country that’s not all he is about. You can tell he is excited to farm this family farm again. It might not be a crop that was historically grown here but there is a lot of cultivation going on. He loves introducing anyone to his Vineyard. We tease him that we have already had the 50 cent tour. But if you are willing he will take you out to the different vines and explain how the different grapes produce different wines. He is very proud when his wine wins a medal. Like I said, he won’t bore you with the details, unless you’re interested. But one step into the house and you’ll see all that his wine has done. He also won’t hesitate to put you to work. If there is work to be done, and you’re willing, he can use the help. When I pulled up I was handed a crate to sit on and clippers to make cutting the grape vines easier.
One thing that Tom has done is cultivated plenty of helpers. So if he needs help on a Saturday morning it’s only for a couple of hours. It could be an all-day job except for the friends and visitors he puts to work. But as a volunteer you are very well taken care of. When you come out of the vineyard there are burgers and brats on the grill. And if you hang around long enough there are plenty of different wines come out to be tested. Thirty minutes into the job you become a wine expert.
And you are given the opportunity to stomp grapes, if you want. There are huge tubs full of grapes that we just picked. After a hosing down on your way into the tubs the sensation is not exactly what was expected. I was sure there would be grapes on top and juice on the bottom. Nope, there are so many grapes you feel them throughout. It’s pretty creepy on your legs. Thankfully Tom is standing ready with the hose when you get out.
I guess that’s why the vineyard is becoming so popular: Tom is a courteous and knowledgeable teacher and host. He, like many Fancy Farm farmers before him, is very proud of his crop and its success. And if he ever gets to the point of being a winery he will be another reason to put Fancy Farm on the map. Oh wait, he already is.