Name/Title
LetterEntry/Object ID
Q2022.21.157Scope and Content
A copy of a 2-page letter on onion skin paper from Wilbur P. McDonald, M. D., to Mr. James Held, Stone Hill Winery, Hermann, Mo. dated April 26, 1971. The letters COPY in red ink are down the left hand side of the paper.Context
Dear Mr. Heald:
Thank you for your hospitality on Sat. the 17th of April, and for talking to me about grape growing in Missouri. . . . You and your wife have done a wonderful job of restoration on an outstanding Missouri landmark and I know that eventually you will reproduce the wines for which Hermann was famous. No one in St. Joe was ever famous for making wine so I don't have any reputation to live up to.
Since I have returned home I have uncovered my Ruby Cabernet . . . All eight of them appear to have survived the winter. . . . If luck is with me maybe I will have sufficient grapes to make a five gallon varietal batch.
It was sure good to hear that you have planted some Johannesburg Reisling, but I understand they are not as winter hardy as some of the other Viniferas. According to Dr. H. P. Olmo, . . . . . , the most winter hardy Vinifera is the Aligote, . . . . . . . . then come the Rieslings.. . . . . . . I do have one ray of hope, however, as four years ago I asked the University of California . . . to send cuttings of Ruby Cabernet back to Mr Bennett, Mgr. of the New York Fruit Testing Cooperation Assoc. who then was to bench graft (them) . . on to some Rupestis St George roots and on to Baco #1 roots, . . . These were received in the spring of 1969, but did not have proper identification so that I do not know which was which. 15 . . . all died by now, and from the other 15 there are about 13 (that) . . . have survived the last two winters and are sending out new sprouts . . . but the growth last year was limited to about two feet from the ground. I hope these can be acclimated here in Missouri, but I don't know what the Ruby Cabernet is grafted on to. . . . . . . . .
Next spring I have been promised some cuttings of Sereksiya, . . . . the Russians claim are the biggest, the best, the most winter hardy, etc., etc.
Again, I appreciated the time that you and your wife gave us ast Sat. afternoon and I do appreciate the wonderful job you are doing for wine lovers of Missouri.
SincerelyLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
LetterNomenclature Primary Object Term
CorrespondenceNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Dimension Notes
8.5" x 11"
