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The first biblical reference to wine and winemaking can be found in Genesis, 9: 20, with Noah. Wine is mentioned more than two hundred forty times in the Bible. It is interesting to note that the first reference is not about the discovery of viticulture, but rather that its presence already existed. Wine precedes recorded history.
Four more missions emerged and in 1682 Corpus Christi de la Isleta was settled. It is now the oldest (Spanish) settlement in Texas. The drought ridden harsh climate inspired adeptness, and in 1684 a primitive dam was constructed on the Rio Grande. Even though the dam got washed away during treacherous weather, it was continuously being repaired. Trenches were dug and channels irrigated the valley. By 1726 the area was fertile and prosperous. As Stephen F. Austin put it in 1821: "Nature seems to have intended Texas for a vineyard to supply America with wines." Or, Sam Houston who considered Texas wine to be a luxury and an excellent trading commodity. Then in 1876 T.V. Munson moved to Denison, Texas, and was accredited for classifying and breeding numerous grape varieties. Munson was instrumental in helping to control the havoc phylloxera threatened to the vineyards in France. Munson's success was rewarded with the Legion of honor for his work in grafting Texas root stock, (which was immune to Phylloxera) and shipping the species back to France. Although some of the French have a hard time admitting it, the result was a promising future for the French wine industry. Grapes became a principal part of the next three hundred years. Until prohibition basically wiped out the Texas Industry. California was able to recover from prohibition, partly because they supplied "grape juice" to the church. Where as Texas and many other industries around the U. S. were destroyed by this law. Val Verde is the oldest bonded winery in the state, but it wasn't until the mid seventies that Texas was in makings of a strong comeback. Today the Texas Wine Industry is thriving and receiving some of the recognition it is due. Ste. Genevieve is the largest producer. La Bodega and Messina Hof are some of my favorites, and among the most award winning wines Texas has to offer. If you have not had a Taste of Texas wine, I recommend that you do so as soon as possible. I would not want you to miss out on some excellent wines. |
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Although grapes have grown wild along Texas rivers for eons,
the history of Texas wine begins with the Spaniards. In 1659
two priests, Father Garcia de San Francisco Y Zuniga, and
Father Juan de Salazar along with ten Christianized Indian
families were the first Spanish settlement, near present day
El Paso. They cultivated the land as part of their missionary
work. With cuttings that were brought from Spain, they
produced sacred wines for their mass. This became Mission
Senora de Guadalupe.