Organized  since  2005,  the  Grape Escapade 2015 is  set to be the  best edition this  year with  wines,  haute cuisine  and an entertainment extravaganza that  will add glamour to the proceedings, Goa Tourism said in a statement.

The festival is being organized by Goa Tourism at the D. B. Bandodkar Grounds, Campal, and Panjim.

Apart from being the only festival of its kind in Goa, the Grape Escapade is also touted to be one of the most popular gourmet festivals till date.

The festival will bring together restaurateurs, hoteliers, wineries and lifestyle brands, all under one roof.

More than 20 wineries will pour wines, while around 15 restaurants and catering companies will offer a range of gourmet food classics, including barbecues, pasta, oriental cuisine and other delicacies. Vegetarian options, chicken, and meat dishes will also be available, as will a bevy of luscious sweet treats. 

The festival also adds economic value to Goa every year as it brings together restaurateurs, wineries, and hospitality and lifestyle players and provides business networking opportunities to F&B managers   and wine manufacturing units.

The Grape Stomping, which is a tradition at the festival, is a source of much delight and fun for the visitors and is an intrinsic part of the festival this year as well.

Leading wineries, hoteliers and restaurateurs like Diageo Malaya Wines, Bohemia Wine, 4 Season Wine, Shula wines, Chateau Indigo, Howling Wolves, Big Banyan Wine, Mandalavalley Wine, Zampa Wines, N.D. Wines, Nira Valley Wine, Vinsura Wine, Berkmann Wine Cellars India Pvt. Ltd., Vintage Wine, Mums Kitchen, Vasquitos, Bottle Bay, Zeebop and Khanasutra  have participated in the  Grape  Escapade in the past and Goa  Tourism  is  expecting  an overwhelming  response of participants  from the trade and industry to the  festival this  year  as  well.

“Last year we had 40,000 participants and visitors during the four-day Grape Escapade and it was an enthralling experience for one and all. We are sure that this year too it will be a success,” said Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar.

Chairman of GTDC, Nilesh Cabral said, “This year the numbers should double in view of the increasing responses received.”

Goa Tourism is  expecting  an increase in B2B participants  between  wineries, hoteliers and restaurants  as  Grape  Escapade  provides a platform  for business and trade partnerships at every edition organized  during the last one decade.

Exclusive wine tasting sessions will be conducted on all four days for invitees and wine connoisseurs.

Attractive discounts are also levied upon purchases by visitors to the festival.
This festival gives a platform not only to experts and wine manufacturers but to tourists who throng the venue for the cultural fiesta. This year fashion shows, live music, dance performances are set to mesmerize all visitors.

Crowning of the Grape Escapade Queen 2015 is also a key highlight of the four day festivities and will be held on January 26, 2015.