06/28/2024
Now you know! Napa valley owes George a big one!
On today's Who's Who in Hermann History, learn about George Husmann, the Father of Missouri Wine!
Like many of the early settlers of Hermann, George Husmann was born in Germany, in 1827. He emigrated along with his parents to the United States at the age of nine and arrived in Hermann in 1839. Quick to study, Husmann took a liking to viticulture. His father's land would prove an excellent location for growing grapes, and he would teach himself over his early adulthood. He eventually created hybrid grapes utilizing rootstock from Europe and the local varietals that grew wild in the Hermann wilderness.
In short time, this would become extremely important for Husmann. In the 1860s and 1870s, a wine blight in France brought upon by the phylloxera louse almost wiped out most of Europe's vineyards. While European grapes had no defense against the disease, American grapes did. Hybrids of European and American grapes would provide the same taste as European varieties, but the hardiness and resistance to disease as American varieties. In 1871, Husmann, along with other grape growers in Missouri, shipped rootstock of the same types of hybrid grape vines Husmann had created to Europe, saving "old world" wine in the process.
After saving the wine world, Husmann moved to Columbia, Missouri to teach fruit cultivation and forestry. In 1881, he headed west to a bustling wine region in California - the Napa Valley. He would achieve similar standing there for his work and also wrote a few books on winemaking before he died in 1902 at the age of 75.
While he is the Father of Hermann Wine & The Father of Missouri Wine, he could also very much be considered an important father figure of California Wine and of American Wine, too. The next time you enjoy a glass of wine - raise it in toast of George and his life's work!
Charming brick home built in 1855 & recently restored. Located in the heart of the historic district of Hermann Missouri. Sleeps up to 8 guests.
