Grape Harvest Festival: celebrating wine

In Mendoza, the Grape Harvest is not only an occasion to celebrate the good harvests. It is a popular tradition that transforms the commitment to the work and wealth of the region into a celebration.

During March, the Harvest Festival takes place in the province of Mendoza (Argentina), an occasion in which the people of Mendoza gather to celebrate the growing and harvesting of grapes, as well as the constant effort and work of farmers and specialists in the art of winemaking.

Although the celebration was officially instituted in 1936, the antecedents of this tradition go back much further in time and are related to the arrival of immigrants to the region.

The origin of the celebration

The first antecedent of a similar celebration dates back to the 17th century when vine cultivation began in Mendoza to produce wine to supply the Catholic masses. Because it was very expensive to import, the conquistadors placed grapevines in the chapels so that each one had its production.

When harvest time came, the local population would gather to celebrate. They held parties with dances and meals and even chose the prettiest harvester, who was crowned with vine leaves and bunches of grapes.

In the 19th century, the Fiesta de las Chinas was created, in which immigrants and natives would get together to drink wine to the rhythm of guitars. Years later, on April 11, 1913, the province hosted the Congress of Industry and Commerce. On that occasion, there were parades of floats and grape harvesters.

In 1936, the first National Grape Harvest Festival was held in Mendoza. The initiative came from an official of the Government of the province, who had witnessed a similar celebration in Italy.

From that moment on, celebrating the grape harvest became an annual custom for all Mendocinians.

Central celebrations

The National Grape Harvest Festival has 4 main events that are repeated in all its editions.

Blessing of the fruits

It consists of a religious act in which God is thanked for the fruits harvested in the harvest.

This celebration takes place on the last Sunday of February and is led by the provincial archbishop together with the image of the Virgin of Carrodilla, considered the Patron Saint of Vineyards. It concludes with the participation of the governor, who performs the “Golpe en la Reja del Arado”, a ritual that symbolizes the worker’s call to rest.

Carousel

If we are talking about celebrating, this event is, together with the Via Blanca, the most representative of this Festival.

It takes place in the streets of downtown Mendoza’s capital and consists of a parade of carriages and carts. The carriages transport the queens and the members of their court, who interact with the people who come to greet them.

The carts, on the other hand, are pulled by horses or oxen and carry different gaucho groups in typical costumes.

White Way of the Queens

Like the carousel, it consists of a parade of floats carrying the departmental queens who aspire to become the main queen of the Grape Harvest Festival.

Each carriage represents the geography and traditional places of the region from which the aspirant to the throne comes from, who throws wines, fruits, and typical products to the public that greets her.

Central Act

Held at the Frank Romero Day Theater on the first Saturday of March, it is the main attraction of this festival, in which more than a thousand dancers perform artistic representations and dance to the rhythm of regional music.

At the end of the show, the National Grape Harvest Queen is elected and then crowned.

Do you want to celebrate the grape harvest? At Vinscent we offer you an exclusive selection of wines from this region so you can enjoy this experience without leaving your home.

Content originally produced by Sabio Marketing for Vinscent