Who do they think was helping Jefferson with everything when he was writing the Declaration of Independence? He had people running and controlling his …" LaNier said.
Jefferson's Agricultural and Winemaking Legacy
In addition to political philosophies, Jefferson's agricultural pursuits also drew heavy influence from international figures, including Italian patriot Philip Mazzei.
John F.
Kennedy wrote in his book A Nation of Immigrants: "The great doctrine 'All men are created equal' incorporated into the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson, was paraphrased from the writing of Philip Mazzei, an Italian-born patriot and pamphleteer, who was a close friend of Jefferson."
Jefferson maintained a documented fascination with winemaking, allocating land at Monticello for Mazzei to plant European grapevines.
The estate continues to highlight the third president's "abiding and evolving interest" in viticulture.
Centuries later, Italian winemakers revived Jefferson's viticultural ambitions in Virginia during the 1976 bicentennial.
"When I planted the first 5 acres in Barboursville Vineyards in April of '76, who do you think came to see me?
Do you know?" asked Gabriele Rausse, founder of Gabriele Rausse Winery.
Agricultural officials initially discouraged the effort, unaware that historical failures were caused by the phylloxera pest rather than climate.
"It was the USDA, and they told me the most stupid thing you can do is to plant European vines in Virginia.
And I said, 'They pay me every month to do a stupid thing. So I don't mind to do a stupid thing.'
Right? That was the beginning of my story," Rausse said.
