Lucian W. Dressel
Lucian W. Dressel | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1940 |
| Occupation(s) | Winemaker, Viticulturist, Businessman, Composer |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Known for | Submitting the application that resulted in Augusta, Missouri becoming the first federally designated wine district in the United States; Youngest winery proprietor nationwide; Creating new hybrid wine grape varieties; Composing a cantata "A Visit from St. Nicholas" |
Lucian W. Dressel is a prominent American winemaker and expert in viticulture. He was responsible for submitting the application that resulted in Augusta, Missouri becoming the first federally designated wine district in the United States.
Augusta and Mt. Pleasant
Following the completion of his MBA at Columbia, Dressel joined his family’s Aro-Dressel Dairy located in Granite City, Illinois, and held a teaching position at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. There, he became the inaugural Assistant Dean of the Business School. Subsequently, he took on the role of the first Director of Development for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. In 1966, Dressel acquired the former Mt. Pleasant Wine Co. estate in Augusta, Missouri, which had ceased operations during Prohibition. After securing his federal wine license, he was recognized as the youngest winery proprietor nationwide.
Between 1968 and 1993, under Dressel’s stewardship, the winery earned 218 gold medals at various national and international wine contests. Among these accolades was a gold medal awarded for its 1986 vintage port at London’s International Wine & Spirit Competition. A significant event occurred in 1987 when Mount Pleasant Brut triumphed over Napa Valley’s Domaine Chandon in a blind tasting held during the National League baseball playoffs in San Francisco, with a decisive score of 56-17. This victory brought widespread acclaim and positive reviews from wine critic Robert Finigan.
Davis, California
After divesting from the winery in 1982, Dressel moved to Davis, California. There, with mentorship from Dr. Harold Olmo and assistance from staff at the National Germ Plasm Repository, he created a new lineage of wine grape varieties by hybridizing Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel with Norton, America's leading red grape.
Return to the Midwest
In 2002, investors from California invited Dressel and his son Joseph to launch a new winery in Illinois dedicated to cultivating innovative grape varieties and crafting wines inspired by European traditions. Lucian took on the role of General Manager while Joseph acted as Winemaker from 2003 through 2011. The establishment grew to become the second largest winery in Illinois and received numerous honors for quality, including a Gold Medal at the 2007 National Norton Festival—one of only six medals awarded out of more than 120 participants.
Music
In 1992, Dressel composed a cantata titled "A Visit from St. Nicholas," based on the well-known 1923 poem; this work was premiered by the Webster University Orchestra and Chorus. Later in 2008, he collaborated with Dr. Diane Sol to develop musical components for her translation of "ANTIGONE," which was performed at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.