The Toquerville Utah Winery and the Dixie Wine Mission
The Toquerville Utah Winery was built by John C. Naegle in 1866 after having been sent to Washington County by Brigham Young, of the LDS Church, to create better quality wine there.
The basement of the Toquerville Utah Winery was used as the wine cellar and distillery. Peach brandy was also made there. The upper floors were used as his polygamous residence.
The home was restored and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, #1980003990, February 20, 1980.
John C. Naegle, a German immigrant, was in the Mormon Battalion. He went to California to earn money before he headed home. He made a small fortune from the gold he found at Sutter’s Fort in California. Being a faithful member of the LDS church, he followed the teachings of his church leaders and returned to Utah.
Why Toquerville Utah 
Brigham Young focused on self-sufficiency for his people. He learned that the soil and climate of Toquerville was right for the growing of fruit, especially grapes and peaches. Deep, well-drained soils and temperatures made it ideal. Once he learned that John C. Naegle was an experienced wine-maker, Brigham sent him to Toquerville, Utah to start a wine industry there. Young wanted to give the church sacramental wine and also create a cash crop to sell to anyone passing through Toquerville on their way to California.
Wine Production at Toquerville Utah Winery
John Naegle purchased distilling equipment from California. The Toquerville Utah Winery had five hundred gallon barrels for storage and aging. The wine was shipped to ZCMI in Salt Lake City in 40 gallon casks. The wine was also used as tithing paid in kind and was also shipped to Pioche, Silver Reef and to the settlements north of Toquerville. As much as 3,000 gallons a year of the best wine in the country was produced there. The LDS church became the largest producer of wine in the area.
John would boast about the winery and how a wagon and team could enter in, unload, and then turn back around and head out. NAIL’S Best, the name of his product, was considered the best wine of the territory.
This major industry was discontinued throughout Utah
Economic reasons for the end of the wine industry in southern Utah, were due to greedy winemakers selling bad wine. Customers began to go elsewhere for their wine. Better quality California wine was brought in by railroad along with the closing of the Silver Reef Mine in the 1880’s removed a large market.
When water rather than wine was used during the sacrament as ordered by the LDS church in the late 19th century, the church withdrew its permit. John C. Naegle then left Toquerville, moving to Mexico, causing the house to be left without care. For a short time, it was used as a fig cannery and processing plant for peaches. It also was used as storage for Spilsbury Land and Cattle Company for several years.
Prohibition Laws
Utah, a latecomer to have a statewide ban of alcohol, didn’t become officially “dry” until 1917. After many failed legislative attempts and having been a targeted by prohibition activists, this ban was less effectively enforced in Utah than in any other state. Bootleggers operated all over the state of Utah. Federal agents working in Utah seized 13,000 gallons of wine and 332,000 gallons of alcohol between 1925 and 1932. In 1933, Utah voted to repeal the national prohibition, and interestingly was the state that tipped the scales. Utah’s own prohibition laws were repealed during the same election.
Location
Toquerville Utah Winery, 110 S Toquerville Blvd, Toquerville, UT 84774 (at the south end of Toquerville)
Rich in history, Toquerville is a wonderful town to call home. If you would like to make Toquerville your home, please check out Toquerville Utah Homes for Sale.
Why Toquerville Today?
The prime growing climate for grapes and peaches in Toquerville makes it an ideal place to live. Rich in history, it makes Toquerville another town in Southern Utah desirable to live in. It is located 30 miles south of Cedar City and less than 20 miles north of St. George. Springs about one mile above town is a good water source. Ten miles northwest are the Pine Valley Mountains. State Highway 17 passes through the center of town where tourists pass through on their way to Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell. If you’re interested in local real estate, check out Toquerville Utah Homes for Sale.