Overview

When Maximilian Potter went to Burgundy to report for Vanity Fair on a crime that could have destroyed the Domaine de la Romanee Conti-the tiny, storied vineyard that produces the most expensive, exquisite wines in the world-he soon found a story that was much larger, and more thrilling, than he had originally imagined. In January 2010, Aubert de Villaine, the famed proprietor of the DRC, received an anonymous note threatening the destruction of his priceless vines by poison-a crime that in the world of high-end wine is akin to murder-unless he paid a one million euro ransom. Villaine believed it to be a sick joke, but that proved a fatal miscalculation; the crime was committed and shocked this fabled region of France. The sinister story that Potter uncovered would lead to a sting operation by top Paris detectives, the primary suspect's suicide, and a dramatic trial. This botanical crime threatened to destroy the fiercely traditional culture surrounding the world's greatest wine. Like Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, SHADOW IN THE VINEYARD takes us deep into a captivating world full of fascinating characters, small town French politics, an unforgettable narrative, and a local culture defined by the twinned veins of excess and vitality and the deep reverent attention to the land that run through it.

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9781455516100

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Reviews

Maximillian Potter has taken a sinister plot and woven an intriguing story around the most revered wine estate in the world with the most respected winemaker at its helm. Through this event he has painted a colorful tableau filled with fascinating historical evidence on why the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, the terroir of Burgundy, and the culture of Burgundy, are among the most treasured and special sites on the planet. Bravo. Daniel Boulud, James Beard Award-winning chef, and Daniel Johnnes, James Beard Award-winning sommelier

"""Maximillian Potter guides us through the work of the French police, the storied history of Domaine de la Roman�e-Conti and the dedication of Mr. de Villaine, now one of the wine world's senior statesmen.""--Wall Street Journal ""[Potter] places the crime in a broad, rich, historical and cultural context that is engaging""--USA Today ""A gripping crime drama more creative than most procedurals, and Potter does excellent working in fleshing out both the involved players and the historical context of the Burgundy region and its oenophiles.""--The Daily Beast ""A gripping, real-life mystery and an intimate portrait of one of the world's great wine-makers as he battles the man bent on destroying five centuries of greatness. Maximillian Potter has always been an outstanding reporter and now he reveals the fascinating story of France's legendary vineyard, Domaine Romain Conti.""--Michael Hainey, author of After Visiting Friends ""A rare book that transcends the narrow interests of wine lovers.""--The New York Times, named a Best Wine Book of 2014 ""A satisfying crime story expanded into a love letter to a great French vineyard.""--The Dispatch ""A whodunit with a culprit worthy of a Woody Allen film, Potter's first book is a rich study of a cinematic crime and bona fide page-turner....Even the most devout teetotaler will have a hard time putting this one down.""--Publishers Weekly (STARRED) ""An arch-criminal clicks on his headlamp in his underground lair and instantly, you're hooked. SHADOWS IN THE VINEYARD is non-fiction at its nail-biting best, a literary true-crime thriller that plunges you into the manhunt to apprehend - and understand - a mysterious villain who set out to destroy the most treasured wines in the world. SHADOWS IN THE VINEYARD is so full of bizarre twists and one-of-a-kind characters that if you think you know what's coming next, just wait till you turn the page.""--Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run ""Aubert de Villaine is the legend behind the legend. DRC is the most celebrated wine on the planet and the place where the alchemy of the soul of the earth, combined with the elements, as well as the knowledge and wisdom of craftsmen, are united to create this magical nectar. But out of nowhere, the dark side interfered and this inconceivable thriller began. This riveting story, where good ultimately triumphs, instills a renewed appreciation of the C�te d'Or region, its people, and the passion that is the fortitude behind this incredible wine.""--Eric Ripert, chef and co-owner, Le Bernardin, author of Avec Eric ""Books I devoured in the last few weeks impressed me mightily: ...SHADOWS IN THE VINEYARD, a nonfiction blending of several genres - culinary, travel, history, true crime by Maximillian Potter, who's an enviably nimble writer.""--Frank Bruni, New York Times ""In the end, the book turns out to be less about a dastardly crime than about the powerful mysticism surrounding Burgundy's wine culture....Powerful.""--The New York Times Book Review ""Inspired by a daring crime that a lesser writer might reduce to police procedural, Maximillian Potter has opened a portal into a fabled world unknown to outsiders. The story he so compellingly recounts in SHADOWS IN THE VINEYARD breathes, like the hallowed wine at its heart, with life and history and wonder.""--Benjamin Wallace, author of The Billionaire's Vinegar ""Maximillian Potter has taken a sinister plot and woven an intriguing story around the most revered wine estate in the world with the most respected winemaker at its helm. Through this event he has painted a colorful tableau filled with fascinating historical evidence on why the Domaine de la Roman�e-Conti, the terroir of Burgundy, and the culture of Burgundy, are among the most treasured and special sites on the planet. Bravo.""--Daniel Boulud, James Beard Award-winning chef, and Daniel Johnnes, James Beard Award-winning sommelier ""Mr. Potter...tells the story quite vividly-and the book delivers a happy ending as well.""-- Wall Street Journal, Great Reads ""Remarkable...Through his immersive reporting, Potter gives us a privileged look at today's Burgundy.""--Terroirist ""SHADOWS IN THE VINEYARD details the tale of a threat so bizarre it seems unreal: one deluded man's attempt at a big score by threatening a true culinary treasure...the prose is evocative...and captures the gravitas of a crime with deep cultural resonance without becoming wonky.""--San Francisco Gate"

Maximillian Potter has taken a sinister plot and woven an intriguing story around the most revered wine estate in the world with the most respected winemaker at its helm. Through this event he has painted a colorful tableau filled with fascinating historical evidence on why the Domaine de la Romaneee-Conti, the terroir of Burgundy, and the culture of Burgundy, are among the most treasured and special sites on the planet. Bravo. Daniel Boulud, James Beard Award-winning chef, and Daniel Johnnes, James Beard Award-winning sommelier

Author Information

Maximillian Potter is the former executive editor of 5280: Denver's Magazine. Under his editorial guidance, 5280 earned many of the most prestigious honours in journalism, including its five (print) National Magazine Award nominations. Folio has dubbed him a 'Publishing Innovator to Watch' and cited him as a 'Top Talent'. A former staffer of Premiere, Philadelphia and GQ magazines, Potter has served as a contributing editor to Men's Health/Best Life and Details. He's appeared on television and radio programs such as Colorado Public Radio, Colorado Inside Out, and ABC's 20/20. A fellow of the Knight Digital Media Centre Multimedia Reporting and Convergence Program, Potter is a native of Philadelphia, with an MS in journalism from the Medill School. He lives in Denver with his wife and two sons.

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