Carlos Creek Winery celebrates Nation's Largest Grape Stomp Festival September 18-20, 2026

*Grape stompers celebrate their victory after winning a stomping heat* at the Nation's Largest Grape Stomp Festival at Carlos Creek Winery.

The Nation's Largest Grape Stomp Festival 2026

Carlos Creek Winery is getting excited to host the Nation's Largest Grape Stomp Festival September 18–20, 2026 in Alexandria, Minnesota.

*Guests enjoy wine, beer, shopping, and festival fun at the annual Grape Stomp* at Carlos Creek Winery in Alexandria, MN.

Opening its doors in 1999, Carlos Creek Winery was the sixth winery in Minnesota and has since grown into the state’s largest winery. Its signature event—the Grape Stomp Festival—began in 2000 as a modest Food and Wine Festival and has since become the largest grape stomp in the United States and Minnesota’s largest wine festival, drawing more than 15,000 attendees annually.

*Guests enjoy watching grape stomping at the Nation's Largest Grape Stomp Festival at Carlos Creek Winery.*

“We are so excited to welcome both new and familiar faces to the Grape Stomp festival this year,” said winery co-owner Michelle Bredeson. “We couldn’t do it without the support of our outstanding Lakes Area community and we can’t thank everyone enough for their involvement year after year.”

*Guests compete in the costume contest at the largest wine festival in Minnesota at Carlos Creek Winery.*

2026 Festival Highlights

Friday, September 18 (21+ only): Adults-Only Kickoff, 12–7 PM
Saturday, September 19 (21+ only): 90’s Theme Day – Guests are encouraged to dress in 90’s attire, 10–7 PM
Sunday, September 20 (All Ages): Family-Friendly Fun, including both adult and youth stomping heats throughout the day, 10–4 PM

*Attendees browse more than 100 regional artisans and vendors at the Grape Stomp marketplace* at Carlos Creek Winery in Alexandria, Minnesota.

Guests can expect:

Free shuttle service sponsored by Explore Alexandria on Friday and Saturday
Award-winning wine, beer, cider, and N/A beverages
Over 15 different live music and entertainment acts
100+ art and craft vendors
Dozens of food trucks
Costume contests and more!

Guests enjoying rows of food trucks at the Nation's Largest Grape Stomp Festival in Alexandria, Minnesota.

This year, there are even more ways to sip, shop, and celebrate! Some new festival highlights include the addition of spritz cocktails as well as two days of a special Reserve Lounge with live music exclusively for Wine Club members. Guests will also enjoy an upgraded retail and bottle shop experience—with free shipping on purchases of 6 bottles or more—and a convenient parking lot trolley to make getting to and from the festivities easier than ever.

The 2026 entertainment schedule for the Nation's Largest Grape Stomp in Alexandria, Minnesota.

Carlos Creek Winery invites wine lovers, 90’s fans, families, and festival-goers to join in this iconic Midwest tradition - the Nation's Largest Grape Stomp Festival!