Grape treaders braved the rain for competition

PALMA
THE grape treading competition in the Binissalem wine festival was moved to the rectory gardens on Sunday because of the heavy rain.
The competition was introduced into the festival nine years ago, and is now one of the most popular events in the programme.
Just before six o'clock, when the competition was due to start, there were many long faces in Binissalem as the competition is taken very seriously, and cancelling it would be unthinkable.

However, the rain was very heavy so a new location was found in the rectory gardens.
This year 30 teams took part, 10 of them children, made up of girls and boys of between 12 and 16, taking part for the first time.
The teams consist of four people, two of whom tread the grapes first, then the other two, grasping each other by the shoulders as they do so.
In the children's category team number 8 won, extracting eight litres of juice in the five minutes allowed.
Their prize was 120 euros.
The winners in the adult category were team number 12 who extracted 10.5 litres in the time allowed.
During the competition 1'280 kilogrammes of grapes were trod.
The grapes were provided by Es Pla, which belongs to the Son Roig wine cellar and the must will be used to make the wine which will be served at next year's dinner for the grape treaders.