On Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. Z-Arts Humanities presents a panel discussion on the history of the wine industry in Southern Utah.  This time and date were chosen to provide a nice tie-in for those who will be attending the Annual Beaujolais Wine-Tasting and Dinner taking place at Flanigan’s Inn at 6:00 p.m. that same evening immediately after this panel discussion has concluded.

Since the beginning of Mormon settlements in Southern Utah grapes were grown for the manufacture of wine.  Initially made in Toquerville and Santa Clara in 1861, wine was eventually made in all of Washington County’s settlements. Southern Utah’s wine industry began to be phased out around the time of World War I and the arrival of Prohibition provided its death knell.  Although people here and there in Washington County continued making wine for their own consumption, the wine industry here has been trying in recent years to make a come back.  Time will tell on that point.

Our panel consists of local historians Heber Jones, Kelton Hafen, and Loren Webb as speakers, with writer Brian Passey of the St. George Spectrum acting as panel moderator.  Discussion will focus on the wine industry from the beginning of the Mormon settlements to the enactment of Prohibition.  Topics will include the agricultural aspects of growing grapes and making wine, the recreational/social use of wine among the locals, the folklore that arose about this time period in Washington County, and the circumstances that brought an end to the wine industry in Southern Utah.

Come join us for an interesting evening and a telling of tales of times gone by.