A compendium for wine lovers: a prominent vintner shares a lifetime of great wines, famous friends, deep knowledge, and insider insights Reflections of a Vintner recounts the lessons learned, relationships forged, and observations made from an insider’s nearly fifty-year journey through the burgeoning wine industry in Napa Valley. From the mid-seventies, when there were less than fifty wineries, to the present, with over eight hundred, Tor Kenward shares his recollections as the region became a world-class wine destination. Following the calendar year, each chapter opens with the challenges and opportunities a winemaker faces that month—in the vineyard, winery, tasting room, and out on the road. In addition to the wine knowledge Kenward imparts, the vintner shares stories of his friendships with legends of the modern American food and wine scene, including Julia Child, André Tchelistcheff, Andy Beckstoffer, and Robert Mondavi, among others. Kenward’s hard work as a vintner was recently acknowledged and celebrated. In the October 2021 Judgment of Napa, held forty-five years after the historic Judgement of Paris, TOR Cabernet was judged to be #1, outscoring legendary Bordeaux châteaux, Napa Valley, and international peers by leading critics and sommeliers. TOR wines, coveted by connoisseurs worldwide, received seven perfect 100-point ratings from leading critics for their 2018 Napa Valley wines. An iconic winemaker, Kenward has written, taught, and lectured on wine most of his adult life. What he is most often asked about are not facts or numbers about his wines, but the stories behind them. These are stories of inspiration and wisdom that shaped his journey. With Kenward’s impressive connection to Napa Valley and his legacy of creating inimitable wines, Reflections of a Vintner offers entertaining insights into an often intimidating and complex but highly enjoyable world.

A collection of social and cultural articles published in regional newspapers over the past decade.

Half a century ago a rag-tag group of innovators was building a foundation for modern American rock climbing from a makeshift home base in Yosemite. Photographer Glen Denny was a key figure in this golden age of climbing, capturing pioneering feats on camera while tackling challenging ascents himself. In entertaining short pieces enlivened by his iconic black-and-white images of Yosemite's big wall legends, Denny reveals a young man's coming of age and provides a vivid look at Yosemite’s early climbing culture. He relates such precarious achievements as hauling water in glass gallon jugs up the east face of Washington Column, nailing the 750-foot Rostrum in a punishing heat wave, and dangling overnight on El Capitan’s Dihedral Wall in a lightning storm. Each true tale captures the spirit of historic Camp 4, where Denny and others plan the next big climb while living on the cheap and dodging park rangers.

Reflections on Big Spring is a thoughtfully researched, highly readable celebration of the rich heritage of the Genesee River Valley, Pittsford, NY and the Big Spring that drew generations of Americans to the area. The Seneca Tribe who lived in the Genesee River Valley for five centuries were the fighting elite of the Iroquois Confederacy. The author chronicles the series of seminal decisions that led to the gradual displacement and ultimate downfall of these proud indigenous people. New Englanders immigrated to the great frontier of western New York State in the early 19th century seeking the well-publicized "agricultural el dorado". These pioneers were of hearty stock and by nature, strong-willed risk-takers. From both of these sturdy gene pools came generations of brave war heroes, inspirational politicians, compassionate humanitarians, civil rights leaders, creative inventors, and revolutionary entrepreneurs. Their influence has been substantial not just locally but throughout the state, the country and the world. Follow the lives of resident humanitarians Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony as their inspired civil rights efforts make history. Consider the courage displayed by lesser-known local heroes who farmed, taught school or ran stores during the day and became "conductors" on the area's Underground Railroad after dark. Oral histories of secret passages, tunnels, caverns and hidden rooms take readers on the "last 100 miles to freedom" ride. Seamlessly woven throughout the text are fascinating facts that define the uniqueness of the Genesee River Valley. While closely tied to its agricultural roots, the area is home to several of the world's most prestigious business enterprises and was the birthplace of a wide variety of revolutionary technologies, business strategies and labor-management practices. Discover how Genesee Valley residents shared amateur photography, xerography, the UPC label, self-service groceries, white hots and cream style mustard with the world.

Histories of the people of Moapa Valley, starting in 1865. Many photos included. Leavitt-Z.

Vance Havner’s Reflections on the Gospels was rescued by Michael Catt from a collection of newspaper columns and compiled for the first time into book form. The result is a wonderful devotional volume that gives a unique insight into God’s Word through the eyes of this great preacher.

From the bestselling author of "Tra Vigne Cookbook" and host of his own weekly PBS show comes the story of Napa Valley winemaking and its people. 20 recipes. 150+ full-color photos.

With life’s ups and downs, Botanical Reflections can be the prescription for you to help your days be more enjoyable. Explore feelings, reduce anxiety, and reconcile emotional conflicts when you purchase and use this book to answer a daily question, read an inspiring quote, and express your creativity.