Charles Krug
Charles Krug
 Charles Krug - Founded First Winery in Napa Valley | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1825 Trentleburg, Prussia |
| Died | 1892 |
| Occupation | best known as a winemaker, previously was editor of "Staats Zeitung" (German newspaper in SF), Staff Member at Free Thinker's School (Philadelphia), Gold Refiner at SF Mint |
| Known for | Founded the first commercial winery in the Napa Valley |
Charles Krug (1825-1892) was among the original pioneers of winemaking in the Napa Valley, and was the founder of the winery of the same name.
Biography
Charles Krug first visited the United States from Prussia in 1847, becoming a citizen in 1852. In 1851 he served as an apprentice winemaker for both Agoston Haraszthy and then John Patchett before establishing his own winery. Krug married Carolina Bale, the daughter of early Napa Valley pioneer and miller Edward Turner Bale, on December 26, 1860.[1]
Krug was inducted into the Culinary Institute of America's Vintner's Hall of Fame in 2007.[2]
Winemaking
The dowry Bale left for her included 540 acres (2.19 km2) of land north of St. Helena, California, on which Krug planted a vineyard and founded his winery in 1861. Historically, Charles Krug introduced innovative ideas in winemaking to California. He began making wine using a cider press for pressing,[3] carefully selected rootstocks, varietals and vineyard sites. The knowledge he gained and shared benefited the young California wine industry.[4][5][6]
Charles Krug winery
Following Krug's death, James Moffitt Sr. purchased the winery in 1894. In 1943, Robert Mondavi persuaded his parents, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, to purchase the inactive winery from Moffitt for $75,000.[7] Robert Mondavi began his wine career there, until he founded his own winery in 1966. The winery still exists, and is owned by Robert's younger brother Peter Mondavi and Peter's family.[8]
References
- ↑ Davis, Kip (September 15, 2011). "Peter Mondavi leads Krug’s 150th anniversary celebration". Napa Valley Register (Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises, Inc.). Retrieved October 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Vintners Hall of Fame Inductees," Culinary Institute of America
- ↑ Palmer, Lyman L. (Slocum, Bowen & Co., 1881). History of Napa and Lake Counties, California: Comprising Their Geography, Geology, Topography, Climatography, Springs and Timber. San Francisco: Slocum, Bowen & Co. p. 203.
- ↑ Brennan, Nancy (2010-11-21). "John Patchett: Introducing one of Napa’s pioneers". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ Heeger, Jack (December 7, 2004). "A peek at Napa Valley's hidden past". Napa Valley Register/American Canyon Eagle (Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises, Inc.). Retrieved October 2, 2011.
- ↑ Gaughan, Timothy (July 3, 2009). "When the valley met the vine: A perfect storm, and the big five". Napa Valley Register (Napa, CA: Lee Enterprises, Inc.). Retrieved October 2, 2011.
- ↑ Siler, Julia Flynn (2008). The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty. Penguin Books. ISBN 978-1-59240-367-7.
- ↑ Blue, Anthony Dias (1988). American Wine: A Comprehensive Guide. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-015914-6.
External links
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