Photo: Brax - Valley Publishing

Photo: Brax - Valley Publishing

This year you had to look at the calendar to see if it was Autumn. Record breaking heat pushed into October but finally relented a bit.

Another good sign of autumn is the La Viña Winery Grape Stomp and Wine Fest.

Unfortunately, for many of the faithful and fans of great Blues... Autumn and the Fest came together in one soggy afternoon.

Saturday was pretty much a wash as one salesperson in one of the booths referred to it as “Lake La Viña”. The cold front and the low pressure system dumped over an inch of rain on the the grounds and parking area. An some of those that parked along Hiway 28 got stuck.

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day and while the lawn was still soggy there was nothing watered-down about the wine and the fun. A sizeable crowd tramped through the mud and mush to taste the many wines, sample the many foods, buy the many crafts and listen to some unfamiliar but solid Blues.

By the looks of Victoria Montoya and her son Alex there was plenty of things to do for young and younger. Denise Lujan was enjoying the music and the wine and like the sun... was raising spirits at the Fest.

Along with the La Union Maze, the Wine Fest and now the cool weather have officially christened the Upper Valley for Autumn fun. So head west, north or how ever... just get out and enjoy it before its gone.

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Editor, Upper Valley Beacon

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