Now, there really was no excuse for Lucille Ball and the Italian grape stomper to get into a fight in the grape vat on “I Love Lucy.” But, hey, stuff happens—especially with Lucy.

In Northern Georgia, starting in late summer and continuing into the fall, you can get in on the act, all while enjoying your RV at Crossing Creeks RV Resort and Spa. Crossing Creeks is a Blairsville neighbor of one grape stomp, 45 minutes from another and about an hour from two more. If you don’t get out there and enjoy the grape harvest and the grape-crush ritual, as Ricky Ricardo would have said, “You got some ’splainin’ to do.”

Yonah Mountain Vineyards Crush Fest

This year’s event, on Saturday, Aug. 24, is the 10^th annual Yonah Mountain Vineyards Crush Fest. About 5,000 people turn out to hear local bands, sample the vineyards’ wine, dine on fare from select food trucks, and, of course, stomp grapes.  

The grape crushing at Yonah Mountain adds a personal touch: Owners Bob and Jane Miller serenade grape stompers with their own accordion and guitar music at 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, and 6:30 p.m. Live music is performed from 11 a.m., alternating every half-hour between the Atlanta Pipe Band and the Atlanta Pro Drumline.

Yonah Mountain Vineyards is near Cleveland, Georgia, about an hour’s drive from Crossing Creeks.

• Event: Yonah Mountain Vineyards Crush Fest
• Location: 1717 Hwy 255 S, Cleveland, GA
• Date: Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019
• Times: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Admission: Free, age 16 and under; $25, age 17 and older without wine tasting; $40, includes souvenir glass, tasting of four 3-oz. wine samples (age 21 and older); $35, Yonah Wine Club members. Tickets at the gate.

Paradise Hills Grape Stomp Fest

Just an 8-mile drive from Crossing Creeks, outside Blairsville, is the 6^th annual Grape Stomp Fest at Paradise Hills Winery Resort. Paradise Hills not only celebrates the harvest and crush, but also goes all-in on Lucy lore. Every year, a contest matches costumed Lucy imitators against one another. The “I Love Lucy Look Alike Contest” runs twice during the day, at 2 and 4 p.m. Best costume wins wine.

There’s much more to the day than the crush. Live music plays all day. Available for purchase are crafts (including a kids’ corner), wine, craft beer and local barbeque.

• Event: Paradise Hills Grape Stomp Fest
• Location: 366 Paradise Road, Blairsville, GA 30512
• Date: Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019
• Times: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Entry times: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. or 3-6 p.m.
• Admission: Tickets: $15, under age 21, includes one non-alcoholic drink; $25, age 21 and over, includes souvenir glass and tasting, or one wine or craft beer.

Kaya Vineyard & Winery Spirit of Harvest Festival

How much do you know about wine? Trivia is part of the entertainment at the Kaya Vineyard & Winery Spirit of Harvest Festival in Dahlonega. The 2019 crush is on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The winery is about a 45-minute drive from Crossing Creeks.

Attendees will have the opportunity to observe or participate in the crush, and to hear discussions of winemaking at the crush pad. Live bluegrass and folk music will play throughout the event. A Kaya trivia contest from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. places the names of players who answer all questions correctly into a drawing. The prize: a Kaya wine tasting for two.  

A raffle benefits the Georgia Veterans Day Association. The drawing is at 3:30 p.m.

Food and beverages are available for purchase. Admission without wine tasting is free, although non-ticket holders must pay $5 for parking.

• Event: Kaya Vineyard & Winery Spirit of Harvest Festival
• Location: 5400 Town Creek Road, Dahlonega, GA
• Date: Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019
• Time: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
• Admission: Free without tasting, but $5 for parking; tickets: $25, includes a souvenir glass, 5 tasting tickets, grape stomping, presentation on harvest season. 

Stonewall Creek Harvest Stomp

Will you always remember that first crush? Well, maybe as long as your souvenir T-shirt from the Harvest Stomp at the Stonewall Creek Vineyards does. The festival near Tiger, Georgia, comes with a twist: After you stomp grapes, you can deliver red footprints on a T-shirt and take it home.  This year’s stomp is Saturday, Sept. 28, from noon until 5 p.m.

Live music plays throughout the day, and barbeque is available for purchase. If you don’t want to buy food, bring your own picnic lunch. Paid admission includes not only the tee, but also a wine goblet, a tasting of four wines and a wine cocktail. Reservations are recommended to ensure that you get a T-shirt.

Stonewall Creek is just over an hour’s drive from Crossing Creeks, on a scenic route that takes you past Lake Hiawassee on U.S. 76.

• Event: Stonewall Creek Harvest Stomp
• Location: 323 Standing Deer Lane, Tiger, GA
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019
• Times: Noon to 5 p.m.
• Admission: Tickets: $35, adults, includes goblet, tee shirt, four wine tastings, wine cocktail; $10, children. To reserve T-shirt: www.eventbrite.com or phone 706-212-0584.