Wine and The Natchez Trace
Spirits and wine along the Natchez trace have a long and treasured history. Landlocked farmers needed a port to ship their produce to markets. Corn and grapes were too precious to make the two month long, wet journey by river raft to Natchez. Corn was made into liquor, or white lighting and grapes were turned to wine, both out of necessity and its fabled medicinal benefits. Barrels of spirits were easier to transport than hundreds of pounds of easy to spoil corn or the ever fragile grapes.
These barrels were off loaded and sold at the notorious Natchez under the Hill and the Spirits added to the reputation of bawdiness of this river town. Once sold, these barrels of spirits turned into hard to come by currency. Now the adventure took a dangerous turn; a three month long trek home along the Natchez trace. Outside the long arm of the law, highwaymen and criminals knew those heading north had money in their pockets and were easy prey. For those that made it home the money went to plant more corn and grapes.
Today the adventure continues along the Natchez Trace Wine Trail. Relive the history and romance of the trace while enjoying the same wine that added to the reputation and traditions from this unique chapter in American History.
The History of Wine
Littering a dark and dreary back roads of our past are the relics of beer and whisky. As wandering hunters aspired to a better life they longed for a warm place to sleep at night. They yearned for the comforts of home. As they foraged the forests and plains for food and comfort they discovered grapes. The sweetness and heavenly flavors quickly gave them reason to frequent these wild vineyards. As time and discovery played out their fateful hand another wonderful unearthing evolved. Wild yeast played it’s part and the stored grapes began to reveal the nectar of the gods – Wine. A gift so grand was not taken lightly. As they came to a greater appreciation of this accidental wine, they began to understand the value of caring for the vines all year. They gratefully left their their wandering past behind and become vintners and connoisseurs of fine wine.
It is now clear our civilization is built on the solid foundation of Wine.