Grape Escape Harvest FAQs

What vineyards will be used?

Paso Robles is known for its many unique and diverse micro-climates, which provide winemakers with fruit that ripens at different times during harvest and yield different varietal characteristics. First Crush will be establishing partnerships with many vineyards throughout the Paso Robles American Viticulture Association (AVA). The vineyard for each weekend will be selected closer to harvest when it is determined which vineyard will provide the optimum ripening characteristics for the pre-determined harvest date. Please check the website for updates on participating vineyards.

How are the vineyards selected?

The First Crush viticulture team will select vineyards that use viticulture production practices that use some or all of best vineyard management (i.e., sustainable) practices and yield premium quality fruit.  Many of the vineyards selected will be those that are managed by or use the consulting services of First Crush' parent company, Precision Ag, Inc. so that the First Crush viticulture team can ensure that high quality production standards are used.

What happens if it rains?

As a winemaker, you may learn about both the joys and tribulations of winemaking. Should it rain during your scheduled weekend, one of the following will happen:

1. Your harvest may be rescheduled to take place Sunday morning — instead of Saturday — weather permitting.
2. If it weather precludes harvest on both days, all other events will occur*.  Your wine grapes will be harvested by a professional harvesters and the winemaking process will continue.  You will still have the opportunity to participate in all of the other winemaking opportunities and will still receive your custom-made wine upon completion of the winemaking process.

What if I need to cancel?

Once your reservation is made, you may cancel your reservation and receive a full refund within seven days of making the reservation IF the reservation is made more than 45 days prior to your weekend winemaking experience.  Reservations cancelled less than 45 days prior to the scheduled weekend are subject to a $250 per person cancellation fee.  Reservations can be transferred for no additional fee up to 7 days prior to the event date.  Transferee must accept all conditions of sale and provide proper payment upon transfer.  After that date, no exchanges refunds or cancellations are accepted.  The $250 cancellation fee may be applied to a future weekend winemaking experience.  See terms and conditions for full details.

Do I get to help develop the winemaking program?

First Crush is designed to allow individuals and small groups of people to make small lots of wine; therefore, a winemaking program will be established by our professional winemaking team to appeal to a majority of tastes based on the criteria of the winemaking program described for each varietal.  You will have the opportunity to evaluate your wine throughout the winemaking process and provide feedback.  You will also be able to choose your own label and participate in the bottling and labeling of your wine. If you would like to be more involved in the winemaking process, custom or private winemaking experiences are available. Pricing and program details for private or custom winemaking experiences are available upon request.

What kind of label will I have?

First Crush wine labels must be approved by the State of California Department of Alcohol & Beverage Control.  First Crush will provide you with a variety of pre-approved label templates to choose from and you may name or customize your wine with the guidelines provided by law.  The pre-approved labels are part of your winemaking package (if you purchase a package that includes custom wine), and provided to you at no additional charge.  Specific labeling details will be provided to customers prior to the labeling process.  If you would like to provide your own, you may do so at your own cost; however, it must be approved by the ABC.