Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
VINEYARDS
VINEYARDS. At a meeting of the FARMERS' CLUB on December 23 1863, the question was asked who planted the first grapes in Dubuque County. It was believed John Specht held the honor with a vineyard of catawbas. Although it did not answer the question, a remark was made that a Dr. Munsell had made a few bottles of wine from a native, early variety of grapes found along Lyle's Creek west of the city in 1862. (1)
Members of the group commented that the bluffs were well suited to growing grapes. Among the types grown for eating were the Delaware, Adirondacs, and the Lons. Grapes for wine making included the Allens, Rogers and other hybrids. It was felt that the bluffs would be a good site to plant the Winona where the warm, rich limestone soil without animal enrichment would be suited. (2)
Some of the most famous early Dubuque residents had. These people included John KING and Joseph A. RHOMBERG. People living on the hill were subject to the problems of erosion made worse by the lack of trees and ground cover. Stone retaining walls used to terrace the vineyards often failed because, as observed by the editors of Die Iowa (April 22, 1875), they were commonly constructed "in the American fashion without regard for the burden to be carried."
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Source:
1. "Farmer's Club," Dubuque Democratic Herald, December 31, 1863, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18631231&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. Ibid.