Vendimia Madness!!

Carrusel!

 Though we are still in the thick of it, I wanted to check in and do a quick report on this year's Vendimia festivities so far!! The past week has been full of concerts, dance shows, fireworks, queens, and fruit throwing. All to celebrate the 75th annual Fiesta de la Vendimia in Mendoza, a tradition created to celebrate the grape farmers and winemakers that have a huge part in sustaining the region economically. This week marked the beginning of the harvest season for Mendoza, as workers headed out to the fields to hand-pick baskets and baskets of grapes.

Hundreds of tourists swarm the city for this week, most coming from Argentina or nearby Brazil or Chile but a good amount this year coming from farther away- Canada, U.S. and Japan as well. The hotels and restaurants are full and families stay out late into the night listening to music and watching fireworks. Plazas and parks are a buzz of activity and street performers are out at all hours. It's the busiest time of year for Mendoza and the celebratory energy is contagious.  

MEGADEGUSTACION!

Last weekend marked the beginning of festivities in Mendoza with the impressive Megadegustacion of wines on Avenida Sarmiento.  About 200 wineries showed up to pour wines and hundreds of attendees filled the street sipping vino and tasting empanadas for three nights straight. Some of my favorites from the night came from bodegas La Azul, Belasco de Baquedano, Renacer, and Weinert.

past queens

However the true festivities began in February with the election of the Vendimia Queen in each department. The Mendoza province includes 18 departments, and each has it's own Vendimia party that centers around the election of a queen- historically the most beautiful and well-rounded girl in town. The queens are usually around 18 years old and all done-up with hair spray and chiffon, not unlike American beauty queens in the States. Parading around the stage in matching dresses, the girls appear between plays and dance performances that tell the story of the harvest in each area.  Each girl has her own cheering section in the audience, a screaming, banner-holding group of friends and family. Wooo! Maria Florencia! Maria Belen! Maria Carla!!

this years candidates

Once each department has chosen it's queen, they all come together in one grand election in Parque San Martin in Mendoza on Saturday night.  That was last night. Before that, on Saturday morning there is a massive parade through the city center showcasing each department's gauchos and queens. This is where the fruit-throwing comes in. Grapes, apples, melons, and pears soar through the air as crowd members excitedly scramble to catch the flying produce. A friend told me they used to throw bottles of wine and watermelons, as well. I think we are all safer now that they've discontinued that particular tradition.

Folkloric dancers pause to sip sparkling rose offered up from crowd members.

Saturday night is the main event, with the election of the queen and the grand spectacle in the Teatro Greigo, a huge amphitheater in the middle of Parque San Martin. This performance will be repeated both Sunday and Monday evening with cheaper ticket prices.

 

Gabriela Laura Koltes, the new Reina!! glamorous.