Had any good wine lately? If so, you can thank the 21st Amendment for that.
On December 5, 1933, the United States Congress passed the 21st Amendment, putting an end to the Prohibition Era. Once again, Americans could buy, sell, and consume alcoholic beverage.
Now, more than eighty years later, many Oregonians have made the most of this change of heart by developing vineyards and wineries, putting our fair state on the map for quality wine. Which is why we suggest commemorating Repeal Day, not with a toast or a toddy, but with a trip to the library.
hanlib.sou.edu/wine
Hannon Library has been documenting the history of wine production in Southern Oregon with an ever-growing collection of photographs, wine labels, books, journals, and other materials. A visit to our Special Collections department will yield hundreds of books about wine, viticulture, and enology. Or you can explore our digital collections online to see historical photos, wine labels, annual reports, and more.
Learn more about Hannon Library’s Wine and Viticulture Collection at our Special Collections website, and remember to celebrate our rights and freedoms responsibly.
Learn more about Repeal Day at www.repealday.org
vineyards due to our hot summers and mild winters. SOU’s very own Dr. Gregory V. Jones, a professor of Environmental Studies, has made a huge impact in the Southern Oregon wine industry with his extensive research on how climate affects wine production. Due to his studies, the vineyards of Southern Oregon have grown immensely over the past decade, now producing upwards of 6,000 tons of fruit annually.