THE TAGLUCOP Estate Vineyard and Winery in Tacunan, Davao City, held its first Harvest Festival on March 15, bringing the storied traditions of European viticulture to the local landscape.
The festival drew more than 200 guests, ranging from wine connoisseurs to curious locals and families. Attendees didn’t just witness the harvest; they became a part of it.
The vineyard grounds buzzed with excitement during the “Fastest Grape Harvest” competition, while the “Traditional Grape Stomping” proved to be a crowd favorite, offering a tactile—and purple-stained—connection to traditional winemaking techniques. Beyond the vines, the spirit of friendly competition continued with the “Vineyard Putting Challenge” and a high-energy Barrel Rolling Relay that had spectators cheering from the sidelines. Fashion also took center stage as guests donned their most stylish agrarian looks for the Best Harvest Attire Contest.
As the afternoon sun began to dip, the festivities transitioned into the “Last Glass Standing” challenge, a playful nod to the endurance of the true wine enthusiast.
The vision behind this venture is rooted in a desire of the owners to make the vineyard experience accessible to more locals.
“It’s a chance to experience the best of the harvest and connect with the people behind the wine. This joyful tradition is usually done in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany, and some other wine-making regions in Europe. Our vision is to let, not only Dabawenyos but Filipinos in general, experience the same festivities without needing to travel abroad,” said vineyard owner and wine connoisseur Atty. Ferdinand M. Taglucop, as he shared his passion for bringing this international tradition to local soil.
While the estate carefully nurtures a diverse portfolio of varieties, including Moscato, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the aromatic Moscato of Alexandria, the festival itself is set to become a permanent fixture on the Davao social calendar.
Though the estate harvests twice a year in March and September, the festival will remain an annual highlight held every third or fourth week of March in time for the Araw ng Davao celebration.
For those visiting outside the festival window, the estate is also cultivating table grapes in rotation to ensure a year-round glimpse of fruit on the vine.
While the vineyard is currently refining its operations and remains closed to walk-in visitors, it has already established itself as a popular destination for bespoke farm events. From intimate vineyard weddings to private tastings, Taglucop Estate is proving that the sophisticated “vineyard vibe” is no longer a world away, but right in Davao’s own backyard.
Special thanks to Jed Nasol for the photos.
