Chardonnay is THE most popular white wine grown worldwide; almost everyone likes to opine about it. Chardonnay wine is just pretty easy – easy to say, easy to spell (watch out for that extra "n" though), and easy to buy. Hence the reason for this blog and why we visited almost 30 wineries in Napa and Sonoma that feature outstanding Chardonnay and are sharing our experiences.

A lively husband and wife team recounts their twenty-year climb from amateur winemakers to recipients of an almost unheard-of perfect score from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. Kathryn and Craig Hall launched themselves head first into Napa Valley 20 years ago with the purchase of an 1885 winery and never looked back. Since the couple's purchase of their debut winery, their critically acclaimed HALL Wines and WALT Wines have become fixtures of the California wine industry, winning numerous accolades including a coveted 100-point "perfect score." A PERFECT SCORE weaves a vibrant tale of the HALL brand's meteoric rise to success, Napa Valley's tug-of-war between localism and tourism, and the evolving nature of the wine industry as a whole. Readers who love a good glass of wine will find much to savor in the Halls' expert account of the art, soul, and business of a modern winery.

Call of the Vine takes you on a tour of ten famous vineyards in the legendary California wine regions of Napa and Sonoma. Sit back and relax as author, Dr. Liz Thach, first female Master of Wine from California, introduces you to the men and women who are guardians of some of the most sacred plots of land on earth for wine lovers. Written in the first person with close and intimate conversations with vineyard managers and winemakers, this non-fiction book will not only inspire you with the meticulous care and environmental practices being used in these vineyards, but will explain how viticulture decisions such as canopy management and clonal selection impact wine quality. Most importantly this book taps into the "soul of the vineyard" and describes how working amongst the vines provides insights into a balanced life and respect for the graces of nature. Inspired to write this book when visiting La Tache and Romanee Conti vineyards in France and witnessing the respect and admiration carloads of tourists had for these famous vineyards, Liz decided to begin an exploration of the famous vineyards of her own homeland, California. Armed with the help and guidance of the Napa Valley Vintners and the Sonoma County Vintners, she was able to identify a list of ten Napa and Sonoma County vineyards that fit the criteria of being a historic vineyard, unique in some special way such as location or varietal, and/or consistently producing a high number of award winning wines.

Andrea's Cooktales: A Keepsake Cookbook. Learn New Recipes, Treasure Old Ones is the debut book of one of America's top 100 home cooks. This heirloom cookbook is meant to be savored, splattered, and shared. It features "New-Generation" Southern recipes that are unique, fun, and easy to follow. Special stories are behind every recipe, which will inspire your own memories and stories. Learn new recipes to add to your weekday as well as holiday meal rotations. From appetizers to dessert, recipes are both naughty (for splurging) and nice (for healthy eating). A notes section is included for cooking/food questions and answers, as well as journal areas to jot down stories and enter family recipes. The perfect gift book, it features a scuff-resistant hardcover, Smythe-sewn binding and a ribbon bookmark that will ensure it will be passed along for years. With delicious photography by Memphian Nicole Cole and a foreword by Memphis restaurateur and chef Jennifer Chandler.

The only reporter present at the mythic Paris Tasting of 1976 for the first time introduces the eccentric American winemakers and records the tremendous aftershocks of this historic event that changed forever the world of wine. The Paris Tasting of 1976 will forever be remembered as the landmark event that transformed the wine industry. At this legendary contest—a blind tasting—a panel of top French wine experts shocked the industry by choosing unknown California wines over France’s best. George M. Taber, the only reporter present, recounts this seminal contest and its far-reaching effects, focusing on three gifted unknowns behind the winning wines: a college lecturer, a real estate lawyer, and a Yugoslavian immigrant. With unique access to the main players and a contagious passion for his subject, Taber renders this historic event and its tremendous aftershocks—repositioning the industry and sparking a golden age for viticulture across the globe. With an eclectic cast of characters and magnificent settings, Judgment of Paris is an illuminating tale and a story of the entrepreneurial spirit of the new world conquering the old.

Celebrate the sophisticated blend of agriculture and style that defines California wine country. With well-told stories and stunning photography, author Heather Hebert features the architecture of 25 California wineries in her alluring new book, The New Architecture of Wine. As wine tourism has increased, California vintners have embraced the call to create splendid spaces where visitors can taste their unique varieties and enjoy conversation about wine. In place of imitating old-world European estates, grand architectural statements or quirky forays into bohemianism, the new architecture of wine has evolved into a celebration of California’s topography, agricultural heritage, historic architectural vernacular, and forward-thinking passion for sustainability and design. The 25 wineries featured in The New Architecture of Wine, all built within the last ten years, include buildings designed by top architects Juan Carlos Fernandez and Howard Backen, among others. Together, these wineries form an authentic expression of the winemakers’ passion for the land and its heritage—an homage to California. Heather Hebert, formerly the director of marketing for a San Francisco-based architecture firm with an international practice, spent 25+ years guiding the firm's marketing, brand identity, and positioning on a global scale. She works directly with clients to develop their brand strategy and design stories for their hotel, resort, winery, multi-family residential and urban mixed-use projects. Heather lives in Marin County, California, with her husband and four children. The New Architecture of Wine is her first book.

Created to provide Pandemic relief to Napa restaurant workers, The Essential Napa Valley Cookbook is a first-of-its-kind collection of 35+ recipes from top Napa Valley restaurants and chefs. Featuring 35+ recipes from the region's top chefs and restaurants, including Cindy Pawlcyn's Mustards, Thomas Keller's The French Laundry, and Christopher Kostow's The Charter Oak. 75% of proceeds go directly to restaurant workers of the participating restaurants. 25% of proceeds go to supporting the efforts of Feed Napa Now, which feeds Napa families in need.

Robert V. Camuto sets out across modern Southern Italy in search of the "South-ness" that defined his youthful experience and views the world through wine, food, and families.

The passion, courage, and talent of women making their way in a male-dominated field are captured through conversations with women winemakers from throughout California and wine regions of France, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain. Their stories are told through the lens of four career pathways and the cultural histories of each wine region.