The American Vine-Dresser's Guide, by Jean Jacques (John James) Dufour is a treatise on growing grapes in America, specifically the eastern half of the country. This early work, first published in 1826, is an amazingly thorough text on grape growing and wine making. Dufour's keen sense of observation gave him an understanding of grape growing comparable to many "experts" of today, without the benefit of the modern sciences of biology, plant physiology, plant pathology, soil fertility, and so on. Despite the fact that the book was written nearly 200 years ago, many of the practices recommended are still applicable in the modern vineyard; and Dufour's detailed recommendations on vineyard management show the reader that very little has changed in grape growing technology over the past two centuries. Many topics are covered in detail that would be appropriate for today’s growers along with text notes and 16 pages of color photos.
FORWARDS TO THE NEW EDITION
The Word of Mr Blickenstorfer, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States
America in Dufour’s time, by Yves Bordet
The actuality of Dufour, by Professor Bruce Bordelon
Importance of the Vevay experience, by James L. and John J. Butler
THE AMERICAN VINE-DRESSERS’ GUIDE
Authorization of the State of Indiana
Author’s preface to the original version
CHAPTERS
I A brief history of the introduction of grapevine cultivation.
II Various attempts to establish vineyards in The United States.
III Selection of grape varieties through the sowing of seeds
IV Large number of current grape varieties
V Wild grapes.
VI Different vineyards seen in Europe and their management.
VII Lombardy hautins on mulberry trees
VIII The quality of soils for grapevines
IX Fertilizers
X Preparing the soil for vineyards
XI Planting grapevines
XII Preparation of cut vine shoots and marcottes
XIII Correct distance between rows of grapevines
XIV Pruning, training and fertilizing vines
XV Bowers, espaliers and hautins
XVI Budding, suckering and fastening vines to stakes
XVII Grapevine diseases
XVIII Layers or provins and plant grafts
XIX Plowing and hoeing
XX Preparation for the grape harvest
XXI The vintage or crop
XXII Fermentation and winemaking
XXIII Racking, clarifying and bottling the wine
XXIV Wine cellars
Jean-Jacques (John James) Dufour was born on February 14, 1763 at Sales/Châtelard, district of Vevey, in the parish of Montreux, by the Lake of Geneva, Switzerland. Ever since his early days, he dreamed of bringing the art of vinegrowing to America . It was only when he reaches the age of 33 that he was able to make his youthful wish come true.
