September 26

September 26, 1786: The Eden Agreement (Anglo-French Commercial Treaty), negotiated by William Eden, was signed, lowering tariffs including duties on French wine entering Britain.

September 26, 1843: Thomas Volney Munson was born in Astoria, Illinois. Munson was an American horticulturist who spent most of his life documenting native American grapes. His work had a significant impact on the wine industry beyond the United States, as he helped European vine growers recover from the phylloxera disaster, and other waves of parasites. For his part in saving the vineyards of France, the French government conferred upon him the Chevalier du Mérite Agricole (Order of Agricultural Merit), at the time the second highest nominal merit in France besides the Legion of Honour. For more on Munson’s life, visit the Texas State Historical Association website.

September 26, 1986: Arkansas Mountain AVA was approved and established in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. It is one of the largest Viticultural Areas in America.

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Hero image: Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Source: Wikimedia Commons.