Jun 3, 2014
[box] **
On a personal note
before we get into the show notes and the podcast, I have to say I
am so honored to be the first person outside Brotherhood winery to
read this book and to have this interview with Bob. Growing
up in the Hudson Valley I always heard about Brotherhood
winery. I have had the privilege to work with Cesar Baeza who
to me is the face of Brotherhood. I have learned so much from
Cesar and am ever so grateful to him for sharing his knowledge and
kindness. He is a true gentleman and it is to him I raise my
glass. Thank you Cesar !**[/box]
When you think
wineries in the Hudson Valley the first winery to come to mind is
Brotherhood, America's Oldest Winery. Do you know
the story behind the oldest winery in America? In this podcast, I
am joined by Bob Bedford author of "The Story of Brotherhood,
America's Oldest Winery." The book is to be released June 14, 2014
and commemorates Brotherhood's 175th anniversary. The book not only
tells the story of Brotherhood but has many artifacts from all the
various eras. It's fascinating to see the many different logo
designs, the advertisements, the invoices and the pictures that
document the years. You will see how instrumental Brotherhood was
with many practices that continue today. Also, the California
tie to Brotherhood, from vineyards they owned in the Livermore area
to winemakers that they hired. It all began with a man named John
Jaques a cobbler who moved to a small town called Little York with
his recently widowed mother in early 1810. Little York is
known today as Washingtonville, NY. He planted a few vines in
his backyard and well the rest is history. Up until the late 1800's
wines were often adulterated and doctored with drugs or foreign
elements and had little regulation. Jaques produced wine that
was pure and earned the reputation for a quality product. All
his wines had the same message: [box] " Pure wine from the grapes
without alcoholic addition or adulteration. Pure, old and
superior for family, medicinal and sacramental uses."[/box] 1839
was the first commercial vintage and construction of the
underground wine cellar began, which is still in use today. Jaques
brought his three sons into the business (Oren, John Jr and
Charles) and in 1858 he deeded the winery to them. Fast
forward to 1886 and the last surviving son, Charles in poor health
sold the winery (the plant with the vineyards, cellars, orchards
and thousands of gallons of wine) to wine merchants Jesse Mm
Emerson Srm and his son Edward Emerson. In 1894 Emerson
incorporated The Brotherhood Wine Company and received Federal
Designation US Bonded Winery B.W.2. The Emerson's expanded the
vineyards, purchased a 139 acre plot and planted more vines.
They began construction on a new cellar in 1893 that connected to
the cellarv Jaques built. In addition they also expanded by
working with various winemakers and smaller wineries in the Finger
Lakes. He also was one of the founders of the American Wine
Growers' Association, an organization that was created to correct
trade abuses and to keep unfriendly and unfair legislation in
check. The membership included producers east of the Rocky
Mountains. In 1924 Emerson unexpectedly passes away. In 1920
he had partnered with Louis Farrell who after his death took
over the business. We are in Prohibition years and
Brotherhood supplied 70% of the Archdiocese of NY with wine.
Louis Farrell died suddenly in August 11947 and his son Junior took
over. Shortly after harvest, November 20, Junior passed
away from complications after a medical procedure. He wasn't
married, had no children and left no will. The estate was now
transferred to his only relatives, his three cousins Francis L
Farrel and siblings Herman J Diehl Jr and Leocadie L Diehl. It is
in this era 1947-1987 that wine tourism is born. Events and
parties at Brotherhood. Growing up in the area I heard all
about the parties at Brotherhood. 5,000 people a day would
pass through the winery on a 75 minute tour. The 1980 recession
hurt Brotherhood hard along with a 25% excise tax (ouch!) In 1987
the winery was sold to a consortium of local business partners and
enter winemaster Cesar Baeza. Cesar began making wines with
Amerian native varieties and select New York State grapes from five
different regions. He introduced four premium varietals to
the Brotherhood line, a dry Seyval Blanc, dry Chardonnay with a
hint of oak, dry, full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and a semi-dry
Johannisberg Riesling all made from 100% New York Grapes Tragedy
struck the night of January 7, 1999, I remember it like it was
yesterday. Brotherhood was burning. The fire devastated
Brotherhood. But Cesar switched to "survival" mode and
continued on. In 2005 Cesar partnered with The Castro and Chadwick
families from Chile. It is at this time the restoration of
Brotherhood begins and Brotherhood is what it is today. I realize
these are pretty long show notes and it is just a brief taste of
the information you will find in the podcast and the book. The book
is set to be released June 14. You can reserve a copy and
purchase on the website of Flint Mine Press, the publisher of the book.
Bob, you did a fantastic job and I realize there is so much more
that can be told. I enjoyed the book and looking at all the
historical memorabilia throughout. If you are in the Hudson Valley,
a trip to Brotherhood is a must with a tour of the cellars where
you will find many of the artifacts shown in this book on display.
Remember you can find the podcast and subscribe by: