Duplin Winery to host Annual Grape Stomp Festival

On September 14, Duplin County will honor the age-old tradition of grape stomping in a lively event sure to foster community.

Two weeks before the Muscadine Festival, the Duplin Winery in Rose Hill will host its annual Grape Stomp Festival from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 14. The festival boasts live music, amazing wines, and of course…grape stomping!

The Grape Stomp Festival is a beloved tradition, celebrating the centuries-old method of pressing grapes by foot—a process once vital to winemaking. While wine presses made the technique largely obsolete, grape stomping remains a fun and nostalgic way to experience the roots of the craft. It’s a unique, hands-on way to connect with wine culture and history while getting the community together in a fun event.

Tickets to enter the festival start at a flat rate of $15. From there, attendees can upgrade their experience. A Stomping + Entry ticket is $45, which allows festival-goers to join in on the beloved tradition. This ticket also includes a bottle of Huckleberry Wine and a wine tumbler to take home.

For larger groups, Duplin Winery offers VIP Tent Packages for $400. Guests can enjoy live music from the best view on the lawn under a shaded canopy, watch the grape stompers compete, and relax near the wine bars and game tents. This package includes a 10’ x 10’ tent, two VIP parking passes, six entry tickets, six stomping tickets with Fast Passes to skip the line, six Bistro meal tickets, and 12 drink tickets. Heritage Club members get 10% off all grape stomp tickets and packages.

Aside from the main attractions, visitors can also explore a variety of family-friendly activities, from lawn games to shopping at local artisan vendors. There will be food on-site, offering delicious bites to pair with your wine of choice.

For those feeling confident in their stomping abilities, the Grape Stomping Contest is a crowd favorite. Contestants can compete for special prizes, with judges keeping an eye out for flair, technique, and, of course — enthusiasm.

Duplin Winery, known for its sweet muscadine wines, has been a staple in North Carolina since 1976 when it was started by two brothers, Dan and David Fussell Sr. According to the Duplin Winery, they decided to take a chance on growing Muscadine grapes after discovering that a big city winery in New York would pay $350 for a ton of grapes. Teaming up with their father, known as Big D, they invested everything they had into building vineyards they hoped would produce the South’s sweetest grapes.

Much to the brothers’ chagrin, four years later just before the brothers could reap the fruits of their labor, grape prices fell to astounding lows. Though discouraged at first, the brothers ultimately decided to make the switch into wine making and rest is, as they say, history. After much trial and error, those two boys sold their first batch of wine bottled in mason jars.

Four decades and three generations later, Duplin Winery has made a name for itself with a reputation for crafting wines that capture the essence of the native muscadine grape. Duplin’s wines are famous for their fruit-forward flavors, making them a favorite for wine enthusiasts across the region. Visitors to the winery can expect to sample some of its most popular varieties, including the award-winning Hatteras Red.

The festival isn’t just a fun day out—it’s a great boost for the local economy. It supports the community, brings people together and celebrates a rich agricultural tradition. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just looking for a fun day out, the Grape Stomp Festival promises something for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to join in on the fun.