Wine making

Headed off at lunch to try and find Tufton to take some pictures of the next door farm. Went the wrong way and ended up on the Jefferson vineyard. Nipped in to see how it was going and to discuss Jefferson and Alexander's love of wine, so was taken to see the wine being made after a little tasting. Here is Tim straining the red wine.

Very interesting to see it all - Jefferson first planted it in 1774, and managed to get two barrel's worth out of it - but then the English traipsed all over it during the war and apparently some Hessians as well with their big boots. The Hessians are still known was the real bad guys and their name strikes fear - one of their generals was held captive at the vineyard during the war and fell in love with the place. Here's the inside of that large vat that is being strained - the grapes will then be crushed again.

Came back to a book launch in the library.

Talk: Jefferson and the Development of Public Administration
Stephanie Newbold’s new book places Jefferson’s role in preserving American constitutional tradition in its correct historical context, illustrating his place in helping to shape administrative theory and practice during the early years of the Republic. Stephanie Newbold, Assistant Professor of Public Administration at American University in Washington D.C. Talk begins at 4pm.


She was brilliant I thought - I wouldn't say it was the easiest subjects to bring alive, but she did it by describing Jefferson's designs for UVA, so that helped, especially as I had just been on my tour so knew what she was talking about. I had slightly panicked at the beginning when she skimmed over some recent developments in public administration scholarship which I have to admit had past me by. 


Afterwards there was a reception - and I met with Ted Crackle, who was editor in chief of the Washington Papers at UVA, so incredibly grand. He is heading to Scotland in November to spend a week in Aviemore - I told him Colin was giving a talk in Glasgow in November, so look out for Ted Colin. He and his wife are coming to my talk in a couple of weeks so I will warm them up for yours. He is then going for a week in Thirsk - to look at where Washington's family came from.