Elmer Swenson

Elmer Swenson ( born December 12, 1913 † 24 December 2004) was an American winemaker and grape grower.

Life

Elmer Swenson was originally inspired by the work and publications of the botanist Thomas Volney Munson. The most important breeding goal of Swenson was to create frost- resistant varieties, which are suitable for the climatic conditions of the northern Midwest of the United States such as the states of Minnesota (→ Viticulture in Minnesota) and Wisconsin ( → viticulture in Wisconsin).

In 1943 Swenson started his breeding program on the family's 48 -acre ranch, which he had inherited from his mother grandfather Larson. Larson died when Elmer was five years old. The ranch was located near Osceola, Wisconsin. He used for his breedings often French hybrid vines of the family of Seibel vines, which he einkreuzte with selections of local wild vines Vitis riparia. Very early he received from the University of Minnesota, some local varieties, including the variety Minnesota was 78. This variety was one of the most important basic places in the work of Swenson.

From 1969 to 1979 he worked for the University, but ran his own breeding program continues on the ranch.

From Elmer Swenson bred varieties

In the list of varieties recorded varieties:

• St. Croix
• St. Pepin
• La Crosse
• Espirit
• Kay Gray

Together with the University of Minnesota published:

• Swenson Red
• Edelweiss

Other varieties not let Swenson patented:

• Kandiyohi
• Sabrevois
• Norway Red
• Alpinglow
• Petit Jewel
• Prairie Star
• Louise Swenson
• Lorelei
• Troll Haugen
• Swenson White
• Summer Sweet
• Brianna
• Deslisle
• Montreal Blue (also called " St. Theresa" or " Flambeau " called )
• Aldemina
• Somerset Seedless