ROSEBURG (KMTR) - It's that time of the year again - time to celebrate the Greatest of the Grape! On Sat., March 2, Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville is hosting the annual local winery event from 7-11 pm.
This year, 28 local wineries will be participating in the event. It's not just a celebration of the local wine industry - it's also a competition. Each winery is paired with a local restaurant, and attendees have the opportunity to vote for their favorite match. The wine and food match will win one of the Greatest of the Grape people's choice awards.
Abacela Winery in Winston has participated in the Greatest of the Grape for over a decade. Their wines have won several awards from the event. Abacela owner Earl Jones says that each bottle of wine represents a huge amount of work, from planting to harvesting to bottling. Jones says that it is a great feeling to win an award that is determined by customers.
"It was very exciting; very rewarding. Very validating of all of the labor it takes to make something like this work," Jones said.
Jones also said that winning a Greatest of the Grape award is encouraging to continue the wine-making process, from the fields to the production and bottling rooms.
Tickets are still available for Greatest of the Grape. Tickets are $75, which are available at Abacela Winery on Saturday from 11-5 pm. Abacela is located at 12500 Lookingglass Road in Winston, and can be reached at (541) 679-6642. Seven Feathers Casino will be selling the remaining tickets starting at 6 pm.
