About the Book
Wine critic and writer Steve Heimoff, inspired by Robert Benson's "Great Winemakers of California" (1977), traversed the state of California to record lively and informative conversations with more than two dozen winemakers and grape growers who represent today's leaders and visionaries. While Benson's book captured a wine industry on the brink of exponential growth and recognition, Heimoff surveys a multibillion-dollar business with a global reputation and new issues to face. Heimoff has followed this industry for more than twenty-five years, visiting all parts of the state and monitoring changing styles and trends, and his interviews provide an oral history of contemporary California winemaking. He reveals the personalities, intellects, philosophies, and passions of the individual winemakers, as well as their opinions on recent high-alcohol vintages, globalization, and the 'cult' wine phenomenon. Through this intimate and engaging book, wine lovers can sit in on the back and forth as Heimoff and his vintner subjects talk informally about their favorite subject: wine.
The interviewees include: John Alban, Mark Aubert, Heidi Peterson Barrett, Andy Beckstoffer, Greg Brewer, Merry Edwards, Elias Fernandez, Gina Gallo, Rolando Herrera, Genevieve Janssens, Kathy Joseph, Greg La Follette, Adam and Dianna Lee, Dan Morgan Lee, Bob Levy, Rick Longoria, Javier Tapia Meza, Gary, Jeff, and Mark Pisoni, Kent Rosenblum, Ted Seghesio, Doug Shafer, Justin Smith, Tony Soter, Brian Talley, Michael Terrien, Randy Ullom, Margo van Staaveren, and Bill Wathan.
Table of Contents:
Foreword H. William Harlan Acknowledgments Introduction 1970s Bill Wathen, Foxen Winery & Vineyard Dan Morgan Lee, Morgan Winery Genevieve Janssens, Robert Mondavi Winery Rick Longoria, Richard Longoria Wines Merry Edwards, Merry Edwards Wines Tony Soter, Etude Wines Andy Beckstoffer, Beckstoffer Vineyards Ted Seghesio, Seghesio Family Vineyards Kent Rosenblum, Rosenblum Cellars Margo van Staaveren, Chateau St. Jean 1980s Bob Levy, Harlan Estate Brian Talley, Talley Vineyards Heidi Peterson Barrett, La Sirena, Showket, Paradigm, Other Wineries Greg La Follette, De Loach Vineyards, Tandem Winery Randy Ullom, Kendall-Jackson Doug Shafer and Elias Fernandez, Shafer Vineyards Kathy Joseph, Fiddlehead Cellars Mark Aubert, Colgin Cellars, Aubert Wines, Other Wineries 1990s Adam and Dianna Lee, Siduri Winery Greg Brewer, Brewer-Clifton, Melville Vineyards and Winery Justin Smith, Saxum Vineyards Michael Terrien, Hanzell Vineyards Gary, Mark, and Jeff Pisoni, Pisoni Vineyards & Winery Rolando Herrera, Mi Sueno Winery, Baldacci Family Vineyards, Other Wineries John Alban, Alban Vineyards Javier Tapia Meza, Ceago Vinegarden Gina Gallo, Gallo Family Vineyards Glossary Index
