The following is in my book, Croatians in California, 1849-1999

Agoston Haraszthy-Father of California Wine

The following is in my book, Croatians in California, 1849-1999.

Croatian vines and wines were brought to California but were never recognized as Croatian.

Agoston Haraszthy-Father of California Wine

In the 1850s Agoston Haraszthy, a Hungarian, arrived in Sonoma with cuttings of the Muscat Alexandria grape, which he planted at Buena Vista, outside Sonoma, the first large vineyard in California. The wine industry, which had been centered in Southern California, soon was thriving in the north, thanks to the innovation of Haraszthy and the hundreds of cuttings he introduced from Europe.

Croatian Mother of California Wine

Agoston Haraszthy in 1856 bought a vineyard in Sonoma and organized the Buena Vista Winery. In 1861 he traveled to his homeland, Hungary, and other parts of Europe and collected vines and trees for planting in California. His collection was published by the State of California as a Catalogue of Vines and Trees.

Croatia was a part of Austria and Hungary at that time. All cuttings were listed as Hungary with a few from Illyria; others were listed by country. He was proclaimed The Father of California Wine. Agoston Haraszthy was born on August 30, 1812 at Futok, Backa, Vojvodina to a noble family. Vojvodina is not in Hungary, it was a part of Austria and was ancient Croatian territory.

In 1834 he married a noblewoman, Eleonora Dedinsky, from Dedina Her parents were the nobles Cupor from Croatia.. The Dedinsky coat of arms is registered as Croatian arms. The Haraszthy and Dedinsky arms are similar in design indicating relationship. A genealogy of Haraszathy shows related families of Horvat, Balasovich, Kubovich, Burian, Halas; all found today in Croatia.

While Haraszathy was in Croatia and Vojvodina, the following poem appeared in a leading Zagreb newspaper in 1862:

CALIFORNIA GOLD CROATIAN WINE

August Senoa

God has blessed California with gold;

Gold has exalted the land far and wide;

Its rivers and brooks roll treasures untold,

Its rocks conceal gold veins in their inside.

But from whatever you have had you fill

You no more derive any joyous thrill.

When it is far, however, what a change!

The gold that leaves its native land, and sails

The ocean to Europe- is it not strange?

May a fine day roll on Austrian rails.

Well, Austrian? Gold? But where is it? Where?

My brothers, in museums. Look it up there.

And we, the gentle souls, think it meet

To be content with a sheer paper sheet.

The country of Croatia overflows with wine,

Its drops more precious than gold, crystally clear:

God Himself has consecrated our vine,

Its fame expanding world-wide, far and near,

One cannot be a prophet in his land,

Sometimes we may not drink as manners demand.

When far and away, however- what a change!

Whenever leaving your home for some time,

You prize Croatian wine- is it not strange?

You miss it under a foreign clime.

And while I drink that wishy-washy beer,

I often brush away a painful tear.

Then I remember you, my charming home,

Your fiery wine, opulent, flavorsome,

With life in it and real love beside,

With heaven in it and thunderous song.

With olden glory and national pride,

With courage and concept lucid and strong;

Sure cure for old age, bright sunshine for youth,

Proof our hospitality tells the truth.

And you, my brothers in Croatian parts,

Keep on dancing, sing from you fullest hearts;

Our wince is foaming, see it sparkle, my dear,

Let jokes be cut- let everybody cheer,

Propose a toast to too many a son

Who lacks our wine beneath a foreign sun:

Drink moderately to keep yourselves alert

Let enemies should plan an assault;

Drink boldly to be able to avert

From new-glory-bearing vines any fault;

Drink modestly this divine, fierce gift;

Drink wisely, Mirza teaches, foster thrift.

Zagreb Times Newspaper 1862 Croatia

Sjor Adam S. Eterovich

croatians@aol.com