Thomas Volney Munson (1843-1913), the internationally known horticulturist
from Denison, Texas developed over 300 varieties of new grape varieties
specifically for the American South and Southwest. He is perhaps best
known for his work in fighting the phylloxera epidemic of the late
nineteenth century, which nearly wiped out the world’s vineyards.
His solution – grafting Vitis vinifera onto certain resistant
native rootstocks from Texas – earned him the Chevalier du Mérite
Agricole in the French Legion of Honor and numerous accolades from
around the world. Munson belonged to and was honored by a number of
viticultural and scientific associations and was considered a leader
in the new scientific movement of the time for his cutting-edge work
in breeding plant varieties, some of which are still important in
modern viticulture and research. See Related Books
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Viticulture Enology Center |
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The T.V. Munson Viticulture Enology Center was dedicated by dignitaries
from around the world September 10, 1988. As an instructional site,
the 5,000 square-foot facility houses a library for research documents
and historic memorabilia; classroom and office space; workroom facilities
for processing grape plants, juice and wine. Additionally, the Center
has classrooms for the delivery of lectures, seminars, workshops and
demonstrations. Academic credit and credit-free courses, as well as
meetings, are conducted in the facility. As a repository and research
site, the Center houses an extensive set of written materials related
to the areas of viticulture and enology. Among these documents are
historical materials written about, and by T.V. Munson regarding the
breeding of grapes native to this area of the world. The Center is
located on the West Campus of Grayson County College, Denison, Texas.
See a Schedule of Courses
The T.V. Munson Memorial Vineyard was established in 1974 on the West Campus
of Grayson County College through the generosity of the W.B. Munson
Foundation in memory of T.V. Munson. Dr. Munson experimented with
and developed over three hundred varieties of grapes in the Denison,
Texas area. Different varieties of his grapes are exhibited in each
section of the vineyard, with one section reserved for producing stock
for grape culture in the surrounding area. The W.B. Munson Foundation
has also provided a greenhouse and a storage and equipment building.
Dr. and Mrs. John Anderson, Denton, Texas donated their winery,
Schoppaul Hill to the Grayson County College Foundation, Inc. for
use in the College’s Viticulture and Enology Program in 1997.
Grayson County College has been training students for the grape
and wine industry in the Southwestern United States for over thirty
years. The College offers both a certificate and an associates degree
in viticulture and enology in the T. V. Munson Viticulture and Enology
Center located on the West Campus of Grayson County College.
The winery strengthens the program by providing hands on instruction
in wine production. Over 250 students annually take advantage of
the training provided through the unique program. Classes are offered
in a format that is in tune with its students. Classes are taught
on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to better serve the diverse student
population. The program is now drawing international students from
wine producing nations around the world.
The 35,000-gallon winery, located in Ivanhoe, Texas, is modern
in every aspect and has been in operation as a commercial winery
for over ten years. Dr. Roy Renfro, Executive Director of the GCC
Foundation, Inc. states that, “the Foundation is extremely
appreciative of the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Anderson and that
the gift significantly enhances the quality of our program by providing
cutting edge technology in wine production processes.”
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Click on the image above to learn more about upcoming Enology seminars
sponsored by Grayson County College and the Texas Department of
Agriculture.
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