Agoston Haraszthy, Hungarian-American businessman, founded Buena Vista Winery (d. 1869)
Agoston Haraszthy (; 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.
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. He also operated the first commercial steamboat on the upper Mississippi River. 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.
1812Aug, 30
Agoston Haraszthy
Choose Another Date
Events on 1812
- 27Feb
Manuel Belgrano
Argentine War of Independence: Manuel Belgrano raises the Flag of Argentina in the city of Rosario for the first time. - 26Mar
Gerrymander
A political cartoon in the Boston Gazette coins the term "gerrymander" to describe oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win reelection. - 24Jun
French invasion of Russia
Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon's Grande Armée crosses the Neman river beginning the invasion of Russia. - 12Jul
Upper Canada
The American Army of the Northwest briefly occupies the Upper Canadian settlement at what is now at Windsor, Ontario. - 7Sep
Battle of Borodino
French invasion of Russia: The Battle of Borodino, the bloodiest battle of the Napoleonic Wars, was fought near Moscow and resulted in a French victory.