Name/Title
LetterEntry/Object ID
Q2022.21.279Scope and Content
A Xerox copy of a two-page letter from Wilbur P. McDonald, M. D., to Vincent E. Petrucci, Professor of Viticulture, CSU, Fresno, California, dated January 27, 1982. It is written on Dr. McDonald's office letterhead.Context
Dear Mr. Petrucci:
It was a pleasure meeting you in Columbia, Mo. on the 19th and 20th of January, and thank you for your input into an awakening viticulture in the State of MIssouri. Due to our archaic laws, Missouri is about 20-30 years behind.
Since 1955 my hobby has been to raise a grape in Northwest Missouri that will produce a drinkable dry table wine. The winters are rather severe, the summers can be hot. The range . . . (is) so that viniferas winter kill. My vineyard consists of 140 vines, . . . . It takes . . . four years or so to fruit, . . and another four years to evaluate the wine, then I plow them out and start another variety. I need sixty pounds of grapes for a five gallon varietal batch of wine.
The only wine that I have been able to produce without "foxiness", is . . . Ruby Cabernet in 1972. In 1965 I spent an afternoon with Philip Wagner . . . , he was growing Ruby Cabernet. I obtained wood and bud grafted onto Boco #1 scions, . . . , and have kept the clone going since 1966. Some springs I only have one or two surviving vines, but I graft again. . . to keep ten vines viable. . . . . In 1972, after two mild winters, I had sixty pounds of grapes for a varietal batch of Ruby Cabernet.
Drs. Olmo, Cook, et al, have sent me some vines to try. They have been kind and tolerant. The T8-43 and Sereksia (. . . ) are all now defunct, . . .I kept them growing for several years, they would . . . freeze each winter. I have five of ten White Reisling vines that have survived the past three winters, and I was expecting sufficient crop for a batch of wine his summer, but this winter . . . the five remaining vines will probably succumb.
-2-
In Columbia, Mo., you mentioned the V. Amurensis that survived winters in China of -30 degree-40 degree F. It is not listed in Pierre Galet's "Ampelography", or I could not fine it. Could you inform me if it produces an acceptable non-foxy wine, and will you help me to obtain 10 vines, or some cuttings that I could graft. Where, and to whom should I write?
Are there other varieties of winter hardy grapes available? Any information along these lines would be appreciated.
Sincerely,
end.-notes from Dr. Olmo, Guymon, Cook.Lexicon
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Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Dimension Notes
8.5" x 11"
