Letter

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Letter

Entry/Object ID

Q2022.21.48

Scope and Content

Copy of a letter, on onion skin paper, from Wilbur P. McDonald, M. D., to Mr. Herman L. Wente, Livermore, Calif., dated Feb. 27, 1961. The letters COPY in red ink are down the left hand side of the paper. Secondly, is the two-page return reply from Mr. Wente, dated March third, - 1961. It is on WENTE BROS. letterhead, Wine Growers Since 1883, Vineyards and Wineries.

Context

Dear Mr. Wente: My friends and I have thoroughly enjoyed the case of Valle de Oro Chateau Wente which you were so kind to ship by the way of 21 brand through Kansas City. Would it be possible to obtain more of your good wine through this procedure. I am trying to wean my European Wine loving friends by comparing good California wine, so I need a refill on the case of Valle de Oro Chateau Wente and would like very much to have a case of your good Grey Riesling, your dry Semillon and a case of your Pinot Chardonnay. Half bottles would be preferable as that is about the right amount for a meal in our family. My wines from last fall that I produced from Concord Grapes have now been clarified with gelatin, racked three times, and are aging in the basement. However, I believe that I made too many mistakes before my trip to California. They do have a beautiful color and lots of body, but they still have a taste like Concord. In my little vineyard the Baco #1 vines have some through the winter well and I hope to have some grapes this season for the first time. I have written Dr. Konstantin Frank asking him for information and instructions as to the grafting of the Tinot Chardonnay and also asking if he would send be more brush. I have not received a reply yet. We have had a very mild winter here and the buds will start popping soon. Hope that your drought has ended. Sincerely, P. S. Who could I write to to or where could I write to obtain a good California Pinot Noir and a case of good Cabernet Sauvignon? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dear Doctor: We are delighted to know that you enjoyed your case of Valle de Oro Chateau Wente and were instrumental in getting your friends to enjoy it also. Your idea of getting your friends to compare good California wines with those of Europe is most interesting and we are sure you will make many friends for California wines in this method. We note that in addition to another case of Chateau Wente you would like to get a case each of our Grey Riesling, Dry Semillon and Pinot Chardonnay. In looking up the list of "21" Brands distributors we note that the St. Joseph Wholesale Liquor Company, Inc, 717 So. 6th Street, St. Joseph, is listed as one of their agents. We suggest that you contact this company and see if they can bring in the wines that you desire along with other merchandise that they receive from "21" Brands, Inc., of New York City. If they cannot do this for you, then we would suggest that you try the Kansas City wholesaler who is: Jackson Distributing Company 2630 McGee Trafficway Kansas City, 8, Missouri Suggest you talk to Mr. Paul E. Wadleigh, the Sales Manager. This gentleman visited our winery several years ago . . . They also handle the wines of Louis M. Martini, . . . . producers of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. . . . . no reason why they could not bring in these wines . . . or . . . have them delivered to the St. Joseph Distributor. We are very acquainted with Mr. Martini and his red wines and highly recommend them. If by any chance you have difficulty in securing the wines . . . let us know and we will take it up with New York City. We are pleased to hear that the wines you produced last Fall are coming along well. . . . I know you will derive a lot of pleasure out of serving wines of your own manufacture; it should be a lot of fun. We are surprised to hear that you had a very mild winter there and that the buds are already popping; further east the seemed to have had a very severe winter for we just received a letter from Charles Fournier, President of Gold Seal Vineyards, who stated they had the most severe winter in the last twenty years and expect to suffer considerable damage to some of their best vineyards. It will be interesting to see what results you get from grafting the Pinot Chardonnay on to your native stock. . . . we have had a very dry winter and hardly any rain . . . Again - many, many thanks for your continued interest in our wines. We hope you will have no difficulty in receiving your supply . . . will have the pleasure of enjoying it. Sincerely yours, (There is a hand-written footnote at the bottom of the first page, it reads: " Mr. Graham Johnston - salesman for "21" Bands - called on 16 March and is going to send a stock of good vintage wines. 537 Olive Court, Webster Groves Mo.")

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St. Joseph Museums

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Nomenclature 4.0

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