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Grapes In America

Written By: Michael Keba on Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Wine 101 - Learn about the men who are considered the forefathers of American wine, and which grape types they popularized.

Upon arriving in America, early settlers were surprised to find something quite familiar growing in the soils of the new world – grapes. Grapevines can be found all over the world, and quite a few species are native to the Americas. Some or the better know examples include:

/> Vitis Labrusca – Native to northeastern America, and was discovered by pilgrims in New England. Most popular cultivar is the Concord grape, used mainly for grape juice and jelly. Has an unforgettable "foxy" characteristic, thought to be unfavorable by wine traditionalists.

Vitis rotundifolia – Known as the Muscadine grape, and is native to southeastern United States. Has thick, tough skin and is eaten fresh as well as used for winemaking and other processing. Most well known variety is the Scuppernogg.

Vitis rupestris – Native to southern and western United States. This species is often used for rootstocks because of its resistance to grape pests.

Vitis viniferia, the traditional European winemaking grape, made its way to the Americas predominately by way of conquistador Hernando Cortez. In the early 16th century, Cortez brought cuttings and seeds from Spain to Mexico to start traditional viticulture in the New World. The wine industry in modern day Mexico expanded quickly; and soon the King of Spain, feared lost profits from their self-sufficiency, forbid the planting of new vineyards so that Spain could be their sole wine supplier. However, there was an easy way around the King's laws. Grapes could be grown and wine could be made for religious purposes, so vineyards survived through the church.

Father Junipero Serra is often called the father of California wine. In 1769, he planted the first California vineyard at the mission in San Diego. Over his life, Father Serra started eight more missions, each complete with their own vineyard maintained by the natives. The variety planted was the mission grape, which dominated the California wine industry for a hundred years. The reign of the mission grape ended because of Agoston Haraszthy. the next innovator of California wine.

Agoston Harazthy was a colorful Hungarian man whose life's work exponentially built up the California wine industry. He made long travels through the vineyards of Europe from which he brought back hundreds of cuttings of the best grape cultivars and the latest in winemaking technology. Harazthy is remembered for his contributions on all levels throughout California; including roles as a City Marshall, private contractor, State Assemblyman, and accomplished winemaker.

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