AND WINE MAKING. 165 



high as 16° on Beaume's saccharometer, when at the same 

 time pure water shows 2° on the same scale. 



The Eisen Vineyard comprises at present 160 acres, and 

 every year about 20 Cicres are added, the bulk of the 

 grapes being Zinnndel, Malvoisie, and Fahirzozos, the 

 former two producing Claret and Port, the latter White 

 Wine. The Zinfindel is here considered the best grape ; 

 its color is excellent, and its flavor and acid splendid. 

 The vines average 25 lbs. each of grapes, but as much as 

 50 lbs. have often been raised on certain varieties, such as 

 Chasselas, Rose of Peru, and others. A peculiar trait of 

 some grapes is that they do not color. The Rose of Peru, 

 elsewhere considered one of the finest black grapes, loses 

 its color here entirely, while the Zinfindel always retains 

 its dark color. In Stockton, 150 miles from here, the 

 contrary takes place. There the Rose of Peru is always 

 of a dark, black color, while the Zinfindel turns nearly 

 white. 



Besides the above varieties, we have on the place, in 

 different quantities, nearly 100 varieties, mostly foreign, 

 but it is also our intention to experiment with Ameri- 

 can varieties, especially those of the cesiivalis and cor- 

 difolia classes. Of the former we have a few hundred 

 of Norton's Virginia ; they have grown enormously, 

 but will not fruit before next year. 



The must we ferment in tanks containing 2,000 or 

 2,500 gallons, and the wine is kept in casks of the 

 same; size. The brandy distilled from mash and wine 

 is of a very high quality, according to Rev. Dr. Bleas- 

 dale and other experts, is entirely fi'ee from fusel oil, 

 and of a very fine natural bouquet. 



