Stomp in the Presence of Grapeness

Sept. 16, 2008 — -- The phrase "classic television" gets thrown around a lot these days, especially since "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" landed a spot on Nick at Night. But there is one scene from one show that will forever be the definition of the term: Lucile Ball stomping grapes on "I Love Lucy."

In an effort to recreate that iconic scene, the "GMA" "Whistle-Stop '08 Tour" stopped off at a vineyard in Silver Creek, New York to try their hand, or foot, at grape stomping.

When the train pulled up and stopped, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, it took me a little while to realize that what I was looking at out the window were rows upon rows of grape vines and in the distance, just before the horizon, Lake Erie sparkled. I had no idea the North could be so, well, pretty.

After the anchors greeted a crowd of fans, they got a quick grape stomping tutorial from champion grape stomper Chuck Rose. I won't give away the secrets to successful grape stomping, but just know it involves Vaseline.

Diane went first and quickly found out that grapes are, in addition to being squishy between the toes, very unstable. One small tumble caused by a delinquent poodle (the big kind, not the small kind) was not enough, however, to keep her from the upcoming, and much anticipated grape stomping competition.

But it was the boys turn first, so Chris and Sam took their positions on a pair of raised grape stomping baskets. When given the word, they stomped like there was no tomorrow. The competitions last thirty seconds and exhaustion soon set in.

Alternatively wincing and smiling, the anchors groggily stomped on until time was up. When the resulting grape-juice was measured, Sam and Chris somehow came out dead even.

Next, the women took their position and started stomping with a furiousness rarely seen outside a feeding school of piranhas. Robin stuck with the classic straight up and down style while Diane went for the flashier, but much more dangerous, "spinning in circles while stomping" method.

Both their efforts soon backfired however, as Diane had to resort to leaning completely on the rail and dragging her feet up and down and Robin just looked to the sky for help.

The result? They tied too. No, it was not rigged. I watched it myself. Apparently our anchors are just equal in grape stomping ability. It's reason like this that they have such good on-air chemistry.

But you know who the real winner was? Me.

Well, me and the rest of the train crew. See, a local winery wanted to show their support for "Good Morning America" by giving us a case of wine.

Here's to you, anchors! Good effort!