The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-01-15

Through the courtesy of Lieut.. Reynolds, we
have received a sample of native wine made by
Mr.. V. Knudsen, of Waimea, Kauai. That
place, like the valley of Eshcol of old, has for
thirty or more years been famed for the size and
excellence of its grapes. Long before the policy
or impolicy of wine manufacture in the Hawaiian
group was questioned, the reputation of Wal
mea wine,'' occasionally made by one of that
honored pioneer band of missionaries, long since
gathered to his rest, was known from Niihau to
Ka'u. An anecdote, which is told as having oc-
Cured some years ago. illustrates more forcibly
than any logic, the superiority of the wine re-
ferred to. The stock of wine for communion service
at the old Stone Church, no matter where. had
become exhausted, and the pastor had no alterna-
tive in his efforts to obtain an article suited to the
dignity of those for whom it was intended, but to
send to Waimea, from whence a good supply was
procured. But on tasting of it, it was found to
possess such a delicious favor and to be so supe-
rior to anything heretofore used. that 1t was
deemed too good for the purpose and a substitute
was manufactured for the occasion. There is
evidently a popularity in the climate of that dis
trict favoring this fruit. SOM years ago. a few
punches of grapes from Waimea were exhibited
utIt, WntCu tnC ldtC SbiCi C'ANIiNS AN
had never seen equalled in the size and beauty of
the berry and in the length and weight of the
punches.
The sample of wine which we have received is
of a rich and clear color, resembling a brown
sherry a most delicious aroma, and in its taste
resembles Muscat wine, in the opinion of several
experts to whom we have referred it. 1t differs
from any native wine we have before seen in its
clear color and its stceef taste. Most of the wines
heretofore made have a sour taste, not very agree
able. We have not learned what quantity of
wine Mr.. X. has been able to produce, but sup
pose this to be the result of his first experiment
from vines planted, we believe, some three years
ago. We congratulate him on the production of
a wine which if he succeeds in manufacturing it
to any extent must supercede in a great measure
the imported article, as it will most certainly
become n favorite with all who use it. The
locality which he has chosen for his vineyard is
unquestionably to become the .'Los Angeles of
our kingdom. Its mild and even temperature
favors the manufacture of wine after the juice is
expressed as well as the growth Of the grapes.
The mere raising of grapes is not the most i'm
portant part of the manufacture of wine. The
adaptation of the temperature to successful fer
mentation is probably the greatest point TO be
looked at.
We have always viewed with favor the opening
of this new branch of agriculture as tending not
only to develope the latent resources of the coun-
try, but also as promoting industry as well as the
health of those who from habit or otherwise re-
quire its use. Ifs pure article of domestic wine
is produced, and furnished at n reasonable price,
it must supercede to some extent, as it does in all
wine countries, the use of stronger and deleterious
spirits. The quantity of wine consumed in the
kingdom during 1857, was at least 5000 gallons,
at a probable cost of over SIS 900, which sum,
if our wine We're produced within our territory,
would be so much added to our national capital.
But it is not solely to supply the local consumption
with a more wholesome article of wine than can be
imported; we look forward to the day when it may
become an item of considerable Importance in our
exports.
The subject of wine manufacture is now up be-
fore the Legislature, and while it is unquestion-
ably polite to encourage it, too much care cam
not be taken in guarding against an abuse of the
privilege granted in its manufacture. We do not
believe that it is necessary or wise to allow manu-
facturers in remote districts to sell at retail. We
would no: wish to see needless obstacles interposed
to the encouragement of any new branch of in
dustry. All that the manufacturer asks is to be
able to dispose of his wine as fast as produced.
And such an article as the sample now shown us
will find no difficulty in meeting a rapid and re-
munerating sale under the present restriction to
wholesale. To allow the retailing of wine in remote
districts is simply to establish a dram-shop
pest in every district, for every one knows that
all descriptions of liquor could be disposed of
thus as easily as it now is at the beer shops in
and the gate once legally opened, it
would be found a Herculean task TO close it by
any future legislation.