The only word to describe Victory’s first-ever CRUSH is spectacular. Members and friends enjoyed an elegant and fun evening of great food, wine and music.
Guests mingled, sipped and nibbled their way through food and wine pairing stations surrounding the perimeter of The Victory Club including antipasto with Ferry La Combe Haedus Rose and L30 Malbec on the Event Lawn; short ribs and pumpkin bisque with Sterling Chardonnay, monk fish and vegetables with Vina Eguia EQ Sauvignon Blanc, and smoked tenderloin and pomme puree with Crimes Banished King Estate Pinot Gris on the Desert Terrace; and desserts with King Estate Pinot Gris and Bogle Essential on the Quad.
Thirty-five teams of two working in partnership participated in the CRUSH competition. One partner at a time stepped and stomped in the barrels of frozen grapes while the other partner used a stick and fingers to keep the juice-carrying spout unclogged. Some stomped gracefully and others more aggressively, but all crushers had the same goal of filling their bucket to the brim first.
Many competitors got into the “spirit” of the event, wearing wine-themed costumes. Most notably were Lucy Gambescia and Rebecca Horvath who took top honors for best costume, and Gary and Nancy Adams who were recognized for best team name: Call Me a Cab.
After five crush flights, 500 pounds of grapes stomped, 70 grape-stained feet and lots of laughs, the 2016 victors were named: Happy Feet (Tracy Johnson and her daughter Ashli), Scandinavian Chefs (Penny Nikel and her guest Cindy), The Zinners (Alisha & Bryan Yoshida), The Best (Sherry and Reene, guests of the Gilson’s) and the Pickled Grapers (Bill Sherman and his guest Brice).
The high energy, soulful, American roots sounds of the Sugar Thieves kept the celebration on pace. A full supermoon, complimented by strings of bistro lights lit up The Vic patio. And attendees took home some great memories in addition to a commemorative Victory etched tasting glass and CRUSH t-shirt that, depending on preference, may or may not have wine-soaked footprints on it.
CRUSH, crushed it. And we are already looking forward to CRUSH 2017.
