Agoston Haraszthy
Agoston Haraszthy (/ˈɑːɡəstən ˈhærəsti/; Hungarian: Haraszthy Ágoston, Spanish: Agustín Haraszthy; August 30, 1812 – July 6, 1869) was a Hungarian American nobleman, adventurer, traveler, writer, town-builder, and pioneer winemaker in Wisconsin and California, often referred to as the "Father of California Wine", alongside Junípero Serra, as well as the "Father of California Viticulture," or the "Father of Modern Winemaking in California". One of the first men to plant vineyards in Wisconsin, he was the founder of the Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma, California, and an early writer on California wine and viticulture.
Agoston Haraszthy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Haraszthy Ágoston August 30, 1812 |
| Died | July 6, 1869 (aged 56) Corinto, Nicaragua |
| Nationality | Hungarian |
| Other names | Count Haraszthy, Father of California Viticulture, Father of Modern Winemaking in California |
| Occupation(s) | Nobleman, writer, vintner, town-builder, farmer, livestock owner, store owner, brick maker, steamboat operator, ferryman, wagon master, livery stable operator, stagecoach operator, state legislator, land speculator, refinery owner, assayer, sugar plantation owner, distiller |
| Known for | Pioneer winemaker in California |
| Spouse | Elenora Dedinszky |
He was the first Hungarian to settle permanently in the United States and only the second to write a book about the country in his native language. He is remembered in Wisconsin as the founder of the oldest incorporated village in the state. In San Diego, he is remembered as the first town marshal and the first county sheriff. In California he introduced more than three hundred varieties of European grapes.