Name/Title
LetterEntry/Object ID
Q2022.21.265Scope and Content
A Xerox copy of a two-page letter from Wilbur P. McDonald, M. D., to Toni G. Moran, Missouri Wine Industry Development Specialist, Jefferson City, Missouri, dated November 4, 1980. It is written on Dr. McDonald's letterhead and is in response to Mr. Moran's letter of October 13, 1980.Context
Dear Toni Moran:
It is wonderful to have a Development Specialist for the Missouri Wine Industry along with the new State Extension Enologist. Now maybe somewhere in Missouri the right grape will be found to make a good dry wine.
Thank you for your reply to my letter of October 6th, and for the 1980 Grape Spray Schedule.
You are correct in assuming that my wine making is a home operation rather than commercial. It is not my purpose to establish a Commercial Winery, but only to find a grape that will grow here in Northwest Missouri from which I can make a decent dry wine.
Back in 1955 I established a small vineyard of 140 vines of 14 different varieties of grapes, most of which I obtained from the New York State Fruit Cooperation Association at Geneva, New York. By 1958 I had a small production . . . I applied for the Federal Permit to produce wine . . . , but they reminded me that I was in violation of the State Law. I then attempted to obtain permission for the production of wine for home use from the State of Missouri and was informed . . . . , that "I wish to advise you that I do not find any provision in the Intoxication Liquor Law permitting you to make wine for your family use at home." As I knew Mr. Emil Wepprich, . . . St. Charles, Missouri had a license . . . I then posed the question , , , why it was legal for (him) . . . and illegal for me . . .after a couple of years of correspondence I was issued the No.2 license . . . on November 20, 1961. . . .
My purpose, . . . is to try to grow a grape . . . from which to make a decent dry wine . . . 140 vines . . is about all that I can care for on a hobby basis, . . . It takes 60 lbs. of grapes to make a 5 gallon varietal batch of wine. . . 3 to 4 years to get into production . . . 3 to 4 years to find out the wine is no good. I then plow that variety under and start anew with a different variety. Only In 1972 have I been able to make a 5 gallon varietal batch from the Ruby Cabernet . . . My regraftings of viniferas each year usually winter kill so that I do not have sufficient grapes.
Thank you again for replying to my letter and I am Happy that there are people now working for the Enological Advancement of the State of Missouri, instead of . . . a teetotaler (who) would not allow wine to be made from his grapes.
Sincerely,
P. S. Enclosed is a copy of a note from James A. Cook, a Professor on Enology at Davis, California, that arrived yesterday.Lexicon
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Dimension Notes
8.5" x 11"
