Overview

The story of Napa Valley winemaking is the story of its people - their triumphs and failures, their passion and commitment, and their ongoing struggle to produce world-class wines. In Michael Chiarello's stories and profiles, we meet the people who make the wine that gives the Napa Valley its singular reputation. As Chiarello points out, the best wines are more than just grapes, soil, and weather; there is a hint of the winemaker's character in them. By knowing the stories of the winemakers, we can taste the history and effort that has shaped every glass. Napa Stories profiles some of the most prominent people in the valley - Mondavi, Trefethen, and Duckhorn - as well as some essential Napa characters whose names rarely reach the public. These personal stories reflect the modern history of Napa wine from the early contributions of Andre Tchelistcheff, the influential wine consultant, to the current views and achievements of such winemaking stars as Larry Turley and Tony Soter. In addition, the book includes vignettes that explain the winemaking process as a series of critical decisions - which varietals to plant where, how to trellis, whether to use barrel fermentation or stainless steel, what method of blending is best, even what kind of cork to use. Because no two vintners make the same decisions, no two wines are alike, and the debate over these decisions often continues long after the wine is in the bottle. Napa's appeal goes far beyond its wine. More than 150 stunning photographs by acclaimed photographer Steven Rothfeld capture the visual splendor of this remarkable place and highlight its cultural and culinary contributions. These include images of Napa Valley celebrations featuring menus and recipes created by Chiarello to complement some of the winemakers' signature wines. A California native and Napa resident for 15 years, Chiarello brings an insider's insightful and intimate perspective to the story of this legendary region. He has created the ultimate gift book for everyone who enjoys the pleasures of fine wine.

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9781584791164

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Michael Chiarello, a California native and Napa resident for 20 years, is an acclaimed chef and winemaker, TV personality, and the author of the best-selling The Vigne Cookbook, At Home with Michael Chiarello and Michael Chiarello's Casual Cooking. Janet Fletcher is staff food writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Steven Rothfeld is a well-known photographer who specialises in travel and food photography. His books include Bringing Tuscany Home, Entrez, Irish Dreams, French Dreams, and Italian Dreams.

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