PREFACE. 



A book, specially devoted to "Grape Culture and Wine 

 Making in California," would seem to need no apology for its 

 appearance, however much the author may do so for under- 

 taking the task. California seems to him, at least, as "the 

 chosen land of the Lord," the great Vmeland ; and the in- 

 dustry, now only in its first stages of development, destined 

 to overshadow all others. It has already assumed dimensions, 

 within the short period of its existence, hardly forty years, 

 that our European brethren can not believe it, and a smile of 

 incredulity comes to their lips when we speak of vineyards of 

 several thousand acres, with a product of millions of gallons 

 per annum. 



But, while fully cognisant -f <j>e importance of these large 

 enterprises, it is not for their owners that this little volume is 

 written specially. The millionaire who is able to plant and 

 maintain a vineyard of several thousand acres, can and should 

 provide the best and most scientific skill to manage his vine- 

 yard and his cellars; it will be the wisest and most economi- 

 cal course for him, he can afford to pay high salaries, and the 

 most costly wineries, provided they are also practical, would 

 be a good investment for him. We have thousands, perhaps 

 the large majority of our wine growers, however, who are 

 comparatively poor men, many of whom have to plant their 

 vineyards, nay, even clear the land for them with their own 

 hands, make their first wine in a wooden shanty with a rough 

 lever press, and work their way up by slow degrees to that 

 competence which they hope to gain by the-sweat of their 

 brow. Of these, many bring but a scanty knowledge to their 

 task; and yet it is from these, who cultivate their small vine- 



