The Grape Blessing (photos below)

The Spirit of the Vines

a procession and ceremony celebrating the bounty of the vine...

The Earth Mother, represented by a graceful 14 foot tall figure, leads the procession of musicians and celebrants to the rustic altar, made of barrels, burls and natural objects. There She takes her place to preside over the ceremony

The ceremony begins with the symbolic creation of Napa Valley (or Sonoma Valley, Central Valley, etc.); great seismic forces shift rocks, sand and wood in a symbolic geological tableau.

Following is the purification of the ceremonial grape knife, and the harvest of the grapes, the crushing of the grape to juice, and the offering to the four directions. When the offering is given to the Earth, the Spirit of the Vines (an animated figure made of natural grape vines) is awakened.

At his touch the bounty (and the bottle on the altar) overflow, as red wine fountains down over the altar in abundance. The blessing is complete with offerings of music and poetry shared with the celebrants.

The ceremony was created by Napa Valley's Magical Moonshine Theatre, an internationally acclaimed puppet and mask theatre.