{"chunks_used":10,"query":"The vineyards of Croton Point","report":"# The Vineyards of Croton Point: The Underhill Dynasty\n\nThe vineyards of Croton Point, located in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, emerged as a significant agricultural enterprise in the mid-nineteenth century, primarily driven by the efforts of Dr. Richard T. Underhill. By the late 1850s, Underhill had established what was described as one of the largest vineyards in the country. In September 1859, *The Gardener\u2019s Monthly* published a detailed account of the estate, noting that the vineyards covered the northwest and southeast slopes of Croton Point. The article highlighted the meticulous agricultural planning involved, specifically mentioning that the vines were \"so arranged, that a perfect draught of air is kept up between the rows,\" a technique designed to optimize growth and prevent disease. The estate was not only a commercial operation but also a tourist attraction, as it \"was visited through the summer by numerous travellers, who are permitted to drive through the grounds.\"\n\nThe scale and significance of the Underhill operation were further cemented in the public consciousness by 1867. That October, *Harper\u2019s Weekly* featured a full-page wood engraving by artist D. C. Hitchcock, depicting the vineyards during the grape harvest season. This visual documentation captured the bustling activity of the enterprise and the grandeur of the Underhill mansion situated at the southern tip of Croton Point. The prominence of the vineyards was such that they became a landmark of the region, with contemporary advertisements and descriptions noting additional features of the estate, including a deer-park, fish-pond, and orchards producing apples and quinces.\n\nHistorically, the Underhill family is regarded as foundational to the American wine industry. Thomas Pinney, in his multi-volume *History of Wine in America*, identifies the Underhills as \"the first dynasty in American viticulture\" and \"the real founders of the winegrowing industry in New York.\" This scholarly assessment aligns with contemporary accounts that praised Dr. Underhill\u2019s success in cultivating specific grape varieties, notably Catawba and Isabella grapes, which were well-suited to the local climate. The profitability of the vineyards was substantial, contributing to the family's ample income and allowing them to maintain a luxurious lifestyle, including the upkeep of the Point homestead and its extensive grounds.\n\nWhile the primary sources focus heavily on the agricultural and social aspects of the vineyards, they also hint at the broader economic context of the era. One source notes that while Dr. Underhill was successful in the brick business and the vineyard, he did not operate brickyards himself, suggesting a distinction between his agricultural ventures and other local industrial activities. The vineyards were part of a larger estate that included a \"Green farm,\" indicating that Underhill also owned land along Mount Green Road in Croton. This diversification of agricultural holdings underscores the economic importance of the Underhill family in the Croton-on-Hudson community during the mid-to-late 1800s.\n\nThe legacy of the Croton Point vineyards is preserved through both written records and visual artifacts, such as the 1867 engraving. These sources provide a vivid picture of a thriving agricultural enterprise that attracted national attention and played a pivotal role in the development of American viticulture. The combination of careful cultivation techniques, diverse grape varieties, and the estate\u2019s appeal to visitors and tourists illustrates the multifaceted nature of the Underhill vineyards. Today, these historical documents serve as a testament to the region\u2019s rich agricultural heritage and the enduring impact of the Underhill family on the history of wine in New York.\n\n**Sources consulted**\n*   *The Gardener\u2019s Monthly* (1859), as cited in crotonhistory.org, \"You Need Not go to the Rhine to See Vineyards.\"\n*   *Harper\u2019s Weekly* (1867), wood engraving by D. C. Hitchcock, as cited in crotonhistory.org, \"The Underhill Vineyards, 1867.\"\n*   Pinney, Thomas. *History of Wine in America*, as cited in crotonhistory.org, \"The Underhill Vineyards 1867.\"\n*   crotonhistory.org, \"You Need Not Go To The Rhine To See Vineyards.\"\n*   brickcollecting.com, \"Croton on Hudson Bricks.\"","sources_consulted":["crotonhistory.org \u2014 https://crotonhistory.org/2013/02/27/the-underhill-vineyards-1867/","crotonhistory.org \u2014 https://crotonhistory.org/2013/07/14/you-need-not-go-to-the-rhine-to-see-vineyards/","brickcollecting.com","crotonhistory.org"]}