Cassell Vineyards holds Harvest Festival in Mansfield

Cassell Vineyards kicked off its annual Harvest Festival over the weekend, welcoming guests to celebrate with grape stomping, live music and local wine.
The three-day event, held from Friday, Sep. 13 to Sunday, Sep. 15, featured musical performances by Steve Doyle, Rebecca White and Isaac Kenneth, along with food and wine from the vineyard’s collection of whites, reds, rosés and sweet varieties.
Each day of the festival offered unique entertainment. Friday’s festivities began with “Pizza Night,” as local musician Steve Doyle entertained the crowd.
Saturday and Sunday brought the highly anticipated grape stomping, a hands-on, old-world tradition in winemaking that Cassell Vineyards has kept alive since its first harvest in 2012.
Guests took turns stepping into a rock-tile pit filled with ripe Concord grapes, crushing them underfoot to release their juice, which is then swept into a barrel and then left to ferment for about 30 days.
The method is a fun way for participants to experience the wine-making process up close.
In addition to grape stomping, attendees enjoyed wine tastings; from crisp white wines to rich reds, there was something for everyone.
Owners Bill and LeighAnn Cassell greeted guests throughout the weekend.
Their journey began with a love for growing grapes and was further shaped by a visit to the Italian countryside during their 25th wedding anniversary.
“We returned home with plans to create the same atmosphere with our vineyard so we, and others, could enjoy it right here in our own backyard,” they explained on their website.
Today, the vineyard not only offers wine, but also serves as a picturesque wedding venue, fulfilling the dream they had years ago.
As the festival wrapped up on Sunday with more grape stomping and a performance by Isaac Kenneth, guests left with a taste of Tuscany in the Ozarks and a greater appreciation for the winemaking process.
For more information on Cassell Vineyards, call 417-893-1758 or email cassellvineyards@gmail.com.