The four-day-long annual wine and musical extravaganza – Grape Escapade 2017 commenced last evening with Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar proposing to start a similar festival exclusively to promote Goa’s Heritage drink – Feni.

“I propose to organize a Goa Heritage Spirit Festival in the near future as the government has given Feni, the heritage spirit tag to this local beverage of the State having immense medicinal value. Recently an amendment was made to the Excise Duty Act giving Feni the Heritage Spirit tag.  If researched further, I am sure, this heritage spirit of Goa which is churned out from the cashew and coconut will have more interesting elements from and for the medicinal domain,” he said during the launch of the event at Campal ground.

The 13th edition of the Grape Escapade is expected to draw lakhs of tourists as the event coincides with the on-going summer vacations and the State is already witnessing a surge in arrivals.

At the inaugural function in presence of Goa Tourism Development Corporation  Chairman Nilesh Cabral and others, Azgaonkar said that over the years it has provided a platform for local enterpreneurs to share expertise, display products, engage in B2B.

GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral claimed the festival has grown bigger and better every passing year. “This year too we are confident that the event will draw large crowds. Such events give a boost to Goa Tourism and provide opportunities for local Goans to also partake and participate,” he said.

The 4 day festival brings together a host of professionals from the tourism & hospitality industry; hoteliers, restaurateurs, wineries and manufacturers to showcase their premium offerings.

Some of the top bands to perform at the Grape Escapade 2017 include: Rhythm and Blues, Crimson Tide, Ventures, Raagas 2 Riches.

Team TNV