Napa County CA Archives Biographies.....Schram, Jacob 1826 - 
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Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891)

JACOB SCHRAM AND THE SCHRAMSBERG VINEYARDS.—It is the general opinion among
experts that while California can make wines as good as are to be found in any
other part of the world, yet, on account of the dryness of the atmosphere, she
does not succeed-in aging them, as a general thing. The remedy for this has been
found in adopting the system of storage for aging purposes in tunnels run into
the hills, where a uniform low and moist temperature can be maintained and the
resultant wine be found perfect in every particular. The cellars at the
Schramsberg Vineyards were found to be the most complete exponent of this fact
of all in this part of the State, and this circumstance accounts for the
exceedingly high reputation that the Schramsberger wines have attained. The
cellars are nothing but a series of tunnels, with cellar like excavations and
transverse connections, run into the hillside There are two sets of them, the
upper consisting of two tunnels extending into the hill a distance of 200 feet,
and connected by cross tunnels, and the lower, of a similar character, only 400
feet in length. In front of the former is the fermenting house, 85 x 45 feet in
size, of wood, but shortly to be replaced by an erection of stone, to be 130x45
feet in size, with a central tower 60 x 60 feet, the whole suitably and
conveniently arranged for the purposes of wine-making. When this fine building
is completed the whole establishment will present an entourage that will have no
equal for substantial beauty and convenience anywhere in the State. The
house-mansion, as it might be more properly called, which has lately received
its finishing touches, is large and very handsome, being built of stone with
hard-wood finish. The inside finish is rich yet ornate, every detail and
particular the best of its kind. Before the house stretch ornamented grounds,
now being laid out to flowers and shrubbery, with taste and discrimination. The
barns and stables, of a similar class of architecture, the stone work
constructed from material quarried on the premises, is a like handsome
structure. The location of vineyards and buildings is one peculiarly romantic
and pleasing, advantage being taken of the natural capabilities of the position
to consult at once utility and a love of the beautiful. The vineyards are in the
thermal belt, where no frost tonches the vines, and from their commanding
situation of the western foothills of the Napa Valley, they present views of
great extent and of singular beauty.

  It is no wonder, under all these circumstances, that the wines from
Schramsberg are so excellent—this statement, however, going almost without
saying, considering the high and rapidly extending fame that the Schramsberger
wines, both red and white, have attained throughout the United States and
Europe—in fact wherever introduced. The drive up to Schramsberg from the valley,
is not the least of the attractions of the spot. It is one long to be
remembered, the road winding upwards amid almost tropical verdure, and beneath
the lofty forest trees, most part of the way beside a babbling brook that flows
in every season. As one emerges at last from the forest, and the elegant mansion
and other buildings are seen nestling against the hill, while the orderly rows
of grape-vines stretch up out of sight, the picture is one to arouse enthusiasm,
and can certainly never be forgotten.

  This great establishment is the product of the life-work of Mr. Jacob Schram
and his estimable wife. In the thirty years or so since they bought and began
the improvement of the Schramsberg Vineyards, they have transformed a rough,
unpromising hillside from its native jungle of "forest and underbrush to an
estate worthy even of the banks of the Rhine itself for beauty and worth.
Perhaps the memory of the old home worked in their minds as they planned and
labored, for both Mr. and Mrs. Schram are natives of the Rhine-land, one born
two miles and the other within one mile of the historic old city of Worms, or
rather at the very side of the famous Liebfrauenberg Vineyard, whence comes the
noblest of wines, the "Liebfraumilch," which they are now coming near to
reproducing in the New World.

  Mr. Schram's life has been one of singular variety and incident, with the many
ups and downs so characteristic of the Californians of the earlier days. No
matter what came he never gave up; and though he had many difficulties and
discouragements to encounter, he was always master of the situation, and came
out superior to the emergency. His life shows well what maybe accomplished by
energy and pluck when joined with common sense. Perhaps, too, he was actuated by
character derived from his ancestors in his successful struggle upwards from
narrow circumstances to affluence and eminence. His uncle, General Schram, will
be remembered by all students of history for his prominence in the Napoleonic
wars. His father was also a member of the celebrated guard as captain under
Napoleon. Certain it is that he has never allowed any difficulty to daunt him,
but he has always pressed energetically forward.

  Mr. Schram was born May 26, 1826, at Pfeddersheim, two miles from Worms, on
the left bank of the Rhine. In 1840, when but a mere lad, he set out for America
to push his own way in the world. In 1852 he came to California, having had many
a trial to overcome, but always meeting them bravely. The exigencies of a busy
life brought him to Napa Valley in 1857, and shortly afterward, having lost his
health, he purchased the hillside property and immediately began its
improvement, being assisted in every detail by Mrs. Schram, to whom he was
married in February, 1859, her maiden name being Annie Christine Weber, and her
birth-place Hocheim, one mile from Worms. She has proven a most worthy helpmate
to her husband, cheerfully bearing the full share of the hardships and trials of
the earlier days, staying at the vineyard alone while her husband was carrying
on business in the valley, herself directing the improvements and ordering the
dealings: To-day, with equal talent she graces her handsome home, as in the
earlier days she conducted the petty affairs of the laborers. The knowledge
gained in the old home on the Rhine—the true home by the way of the vine, of the
soil's varieties and the value of the hillsides for grape-culture, have all been
put into profitable use by Mr. and Mrs. Schram; and hence it is they chose the
admirable location in the foot-hills and are now reaping the return for the
greater labor of clearing those hillsides, in the superior quality of the
Schramsberger Riesling, Hock and Burgundy, that have become so celebrated. It is
safe to say that the 100 acres of vines upon this estate are worth five times as
much or more that number in the valley bottom. An extensive young olive orchard
has1 also been set out, and judging by appearances, it will prove an equally
wise investment with the vines for excellence of quality and worth.

  Mr. and Mrs. Schram have one son, Herman Adolph, now a young man of nearly
thirty years, who is developing the same traits of energy, intellect and
diligence which so abundantly characterize his parents. He is busy improving a
property of his own in Knight's Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Schram had another child, a
daughter of unusual brightness and promise. Her death in youth was an
irreparable blow to her parents.

  Such is the brief and in no way sufficiently appreciative sketch of the life
and labors of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Schram, yet, we hope, a correct account as far
as it goes.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.


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