Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1867-07-27
From the Times, San Francisco. April6.
Native Wines.
Wine Production in California.

Wine Production in California.
In less than ten years from the pres
ent time, the wine interest of the State
will have overshadowed all others. In
deed, there is scarcely any limit to the
productive powers of California in this
particular. When we consider that thous-
ands OF acres of land that cannot be turn
ed to any account in the raising of GER
eals, can be made available by the vini-
culturlst, and when we consider the in
creasing inducements which are present
ed to this class as we'll as to the wine
manufacturer, we can form some idea OF
the prospective character of the wine in
terests. Looking at it, however, even in
its present infantile condition, we fird
that the total production of California
wine is about 100000. Of this, the
White wine absorbs the greatest share,
amounting in value to about S4O0, 0,OOO-
This article, which is manufactured in
Los Angeles and Sonoma, has now al
most entirely displaced Saternes and the
Rhine wine. 1t is not only much better,
but much cheaper wine. While the
Rhine wine ranges from eighty cents to
two dollars a gallon, the white wine sells
| from sixty cents to one dollar. The to-
tai production of the State is about $780,
900 gallons, 100000 of which 90 to New
York. The probability is however, that
a much larger quantity than this will be
sent East the present year. Next to the
white wine, champagne will this'y take
precedence 1t is rather remarkable that
+bi, cbo,,11 ho Il h. l., Al
made in this quarter have been exceeding
ly unsuccessful. Five OF six parties have
one after the other gone into the produc-
ton, and failed. 1t was left to the Bue-
ma Vista Vinicultural Society, of Sonomh
to make California champagne success.
This company will, We believe, manufac-
ture the present year about 12O, 900, which
they will be able to sell at from Sl2 to
SIS dozen, whereas the imported arti-
Gle runs from SIG to s25. According to
the opinions of those qualified to judge
the Sonoma champagne is as good as Ell
ther Heidsick or Cliquot, and promises
therefore to enter rapidly into our ex-
ports. The total production of the pres
ent year will reach $4,000 Our last
years importation of champagne came
10 100000. Next to the champagne,
the port wine will the ensuing season,
give the largest yield. This wine is rap
idly taking the place of the imported ar
ticle, although there is very little dit
ference in the price; the former ranging
from 81 rs to 81, and the latter from ST.
80 to 81. There is, however, great diff
ference in the quality-the imported wine
which is manufactured principally in the
south of France, being, generally speak
ing, wanting in that purity which char
acterizes California wines. The total pro-
duction of port will reach $4,000 gallons
the value OF which is about $133,GOO; of
this 100000, or thereabouts, will go to
New York. Next comes Angelica, reach
ing about As, 200 gallons, the principal
portion of which, about $4,000 gallons, is
sent to New York. Angelica runs from
S1,75 to $3.50 per gallon so that the to
tai value of the vintage may be set down
at 100000. Red wine does not do we'll
in the southern portions of the State, and
is therefore manufactured principally in
Sonoma, Napa, and San Jose; it is the
cheapest Of any of the wines, selling at
llOul ~ W CO SSHlo SdllOil IHS lOtdl
production is about 10000 gallons-equal
to $40, 900. The value of that sent to
New York is SIS 1000 to $4,000. This
article, with Angelica and the white wine
is gradually finding its way to Germany
and is very highly appreciated. In Han
over, and on the Rhine, these wines are
to be met with in various hotels.
Sherry is the only wine SO far that
does not excel the imported article. 1t is
however, rapidly improving, and gives
promise, at no distant day, of stopping
importation. The production is about
$4,000 gallons, which at 81 ,25 per gallon
amounts to $65, 900. The Muscatel, al
though rather backward in quantity,
reaching but 10000 gallons, is the very
finest quality, surprising the Muscat or
Fontignac. In the northern parts of the
State, however, the Muscat grape is be-
ginning to be extensively cultivated, so
that there is every probability of our be-
ing able, in a short time, to place this
wine among our exports. Itsells at from
81 ,25 to 81 per gallon.