One late summer's afternoon after a few glasses of wine, ex-lead singer Steve Hovington of a band that never quite made it, has a revelation. With an 'anything can happen' determination he declares his intention to make his own wine with his name on the label.
Over the course of one year, aided by several musician mates, Steve undergoes a crash course in winemaking, tending his 250 vines in a desolate vineyard in the depths of winter to the blazing heat of summer. Then, after the harvest in September, he treads his grapes half-naked in a small vat, along with petrified insects. And so begins the emotional roller-coaster ride of the fermentation. Would the wine turn to vinegar or would Steve succeed in producing his very own masterpiece? Or at least something drinkable?
The Grape Escape is not just a fascinating and entertaining guide to do it yourself winemaking in a rural French setting. It is also the bittersweet tale of one man's struggle to come to terms with life after living the rock and roll dream and finding salvation through wine.
Over the course of one year, aided by several musician mates, Steve undergoes a crash course in winemaking, tending his 250 vines in a desolate vineyard in the depths of winter to the blazing heat of summer. Then, after the harvest in September, he treads his grapes half-naked in a small vat, along with petrified insects. And so begins the emotional roller-coaster ride of the fermentation. Would the wine turn to vinegar or would Steve succeed in producing his very own masterpiece? Or at least something drinkable?
The Grape Escape is not just a fascinating and entertaining guide to do it yourself winemaking in a rural French setting. It is also the bittersweet tale of one man's struggle to come to terms with life after living the rock and roll dream and finding salvation through wine.
