Fraternity-Testvériség, 1958 (36. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1958-01-01 / 1. szám
FRATERNITY 7 Chapter 4 MISSION TO EUROPE One of the most important contributions ever made to the California grape and wine industry was the trip that Colonel Ágoston Haraszthy took to Europe in 1861 as a special commissioner from the State. His official mission was to learn all he could about grape-growing, and wine-producing in Europe and to report back to the next Legislature so that Europe’s knowledge could be quickly passed on to California’s enthusiastic tyros. The Sonoman sailed from San Francisco with his wife and daughter, Ida, on June 11. In New York he arranged to write a book on his travels and findings, for Harper & Brothers to publish. The Haraszthy trio sailed from New York on July 13 and reached Southampton, England, on July 26. From that moment until he started the return voyage from Liverpool late in October, Haraszthy kept on the jump, fretting whenever he had to lose an hour. The Legislature had allowed him nothing for traveling expenses. He footed his own bills, trusting to be paid later. The Legislature had not directed him to bring any grape vines from Europe, although an Assembly committee had favored this. Haraszthy, however, had convinced Governor Downey that this was necessary, and as he moved from one country to another he placed orders for cuttings of choice varieties which he felt the State would wish to try out in various areas in order to find the best vines for each district. He kept his eyes open, and when he saw other fruits, or nuts, that he thought California could grow to its profit, he risked buying some specimens of them also. Surely, a grateful State would repay him for such outlays! He kept a diary, to include in his book. He also wrote, as he went along, a series of articles for the San Francisco newspaper, “Daily Alta California”, to keep interest back home alive. From these, and especially the book, it is possible to accompany him through Europe. Arpad Haraszthy joined the party in Paris. “My son (Arpad)”, wrote the Colonel, “had been four years in school in Paris, and latterly in the Champagne districts, where he is now learning the manufacture of Champagne and other wines. He proved a great assistance to us during our stay in Europe; he acted as my secretary, my correspondence with scientific societies increasing daily, as well as with prominent officers of the different governments.” The Colonel and Arpad visited parts of France, several German provinces, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. The mother and daughter accompanied them as far as Germany, then returned to Paris for an extended stay. Haraszthy filled notebooks with descriptions of vineyards, wineries, customs, procedures — those he could come into contact with and those he could see from train windows. Everywhere he asked questions and collected printed accounts, so that if he missed the actual grape crushing he at least would know the method used.
