Happy Father’s Day! We hope you are celebrating today with your father figures but want to recognize ours. Meet the Fathers of Missouri Wine!

Charles Valentine Riley, more commonly known as C.V. Riley, was the very first State Entomologist for Missouri. He quickly became one of the leading entomologists in the U.S. and even served as an entomologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

C.V. Riley was one of the first to discover that American rootstock was resistant to Phylloxera. This pest was working hard to destroy the French wine industry. C.V. Riley helped graft French rootstock to American rootstock, making their grapes resistant to the pest as well. He helped save the French wine industry.

Today we recognize C.V. Riley through our wine competition by presenting the C.V. Riley award for the best Norton.

George Husmann was considered the father of commercial grape growing in Missouri. His first vineyard was planted on his father’s farm in Hermann, Missouri. He became a renowned viticulturist, through his success with Norton. He soon introduced Concord to Missouri. He then built a winery in Hermann and helped found the Missouri Fruit Growers’ Association. He published several works sharing his knowledge and expertise on viticulture in Missouri.

Husmann truly was a pioneer and father of Missouri Wine Country. The industry was advanced by his dedication and knowledge of viticulture in Missouri.

Today we recognize Husmann through our wine competition by presenting the Husmann-Jaeger award for best varietal white wine.

Hermann Jaeger experimented with new grape varieties he created. He ended up creating over 100 new grape varieties over his lifetime. One of his experiments addressed downy mildew, he created a solution which he sprayed on the vines. This treatment was successful and he became known as a pioneer in new varietals and application of crop protection sprays for various crop diseases. He shared his knowledge and work with other grape experts around the world and learned from them as well.

Jaeger also worked to save the French wine industry by sending 17 boxcars of Phylloxera resistant rootstock to France.

 Today we recognize Jaeger through our wine competition by presenting the Husmann-Jaeger award for best varietal white wine.

These pioneers were truly the Fathers of Missouri Wine Country. Our industry would not be what it is without them!