The Corowa mum competed in the Winery Walkabout’s annual grape stomp, ticking off a goal born out of the 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy. 

“There was a scene in one of the episodes of her standing in a barrel, in a peasant outfit, stomping grapes and I’ve wanted to do it my entire life,” she said.

“I turn 40 next week, so it was on the bucket list for my birthday, but it was hard work.”

Juicing grapes the traditional way was “harder than politics” for Indi Nationals candidate Marty Corboy, who stole the celebrity stomp crown from MP Cathy McGowan with an extra 1.2 litres. 

“I think I had a bit of a weight advantage over the opponents,” he said.

Ms McGowan, who won the stomp the previous two years, said she would return in 2017 to reclaim her title.

“Its like politics – things get stuck in the hole and you’ve got to get it out through attention to detail,” she said.

Outside of town, more than 14,000 people visited the 18 participating wineries.

Rutherglen Wine and Tourism executive officer Natalie Ajay said the 42^nd instalment of the event was “easily one of the smoothest”. 

“We have exceeded ticket sales from last year,” she said.

“We had the busiest Saturday we’ve ever had and also probably one of the biggest Sundays, but it just meant we could balance those numbers out over the two days.”

The tickets for the event sold out last month.

The restricted numbers worked as an advantage for Campbells Wines, according to ccellar door and events manager Jane Campbell said.

“We’ve dropped our numbers a little bit on purpose to make it manageable. We want everyone to be safe and have a good time and the crowds have been amazing – very happy and responsible.”

Melbourne’s Erika O’Brien said the introduction of ticketing to the event hadn’t changed anything.

“Everyone puts it aside on the calendar to come regardless of what’s happening,” she said.

Ms O’Brien and 50 friends were decked out with wigs, walkers and glasses to match their Walkabout theme of “elderly dress”.

 “Zombies was the best theme a couple years ago. One of the wineries played Thriller for us and people were filming.

“But I think the wine looks good in a teacup.”