A vineyard becomes a crime scene in this compelling mystery: “Truly surprising twists and turns . . . A brilliant, twisted plot” (James Byron Huggins, international bestselling author of Leviathan). When northern California’s idyllic Napa Valley is shattered by the shooting deaths of two men, investigative-reporter-turned-wine-editor Dante Rath seizes the chance to salvage his sagging career. One of the dead is the winery’s top investor, a high-tech genius, who was shot and killed by the winery’s owner—who in turn was gunned down by Napa County sheriff deputies. At the murder scene, Dante encounters Carmen Carelli, the lawyer for the deceased investor, whose case files he rifles after sharing wine and other pleasures. But when Carelli is shot and wounded jogging near her house in Sonoma, Dante knows something deeply sinister is fermenting in wine country. Doggedly pursuing the story, Dante uncovers fraud, deceit, and a toxic scandal certain to shake the wine world. But he must stay alive to publish the story . . .

What Happens When You Turn a Great Writer Loose on One of His Favorite Topics? John Turi's A Drinker With a Writing Problem is just not some collection of wine reviews. Instead it is a collection of Turi's best wine writing. Each piece is really a story of and about a specific wine. Each chapter reads like the most interesting wine history lesson in print and simultaneously like a page ripped from the private diary of the most interesting person you know. After reading a review you will not only want to go and find the wine right away, you will find yourself wishing you could share a bottle with the author. Some reviews increase your knowledge and shape your opinion. These reviews do that, but more importantly they infect the reader with the same passion for wine that radiates from every one of Turi's paragraphs. If you love wine you need this book. If you love great writing you need this book. If you love great wine writing your life will not be complete until you add this collection to your personal library. Praise for John Turi and A Drinker With a Writing Problem: "Whether they know a great deal or nothing about wine, listeners will enjoy John Turi's views--he reviews only wines he loves." - AudioFile Magazine John's wine reviews are part history lesson, part personal epiphany, part peep show, part discovery, and they are always peppered with a dash of enthusiastic admiration. - Ken Robidoux, Founding Editor-in-Chief of ConnotationPress.com Get Your Copy Right Now

This breezy-to-read but super-informative guidebook is a stylish primer for any newcomer to the endlessly fascinating world of wine. Master Sommelier Melanie Wagner's down-to-earth tone and comprehensive knowledge make learning about wine fun and approachable. Twelve chapters explore every aspect of wine—from how it is made to how to drink it—and provide helpful descriptions of grape varietals and recommendations that can be taken to the wine store. Featured alongside these many encouraging lessons and suggestions are 60 whimsical and informative color illustrations. With insights ranging from what makes a wine exceptional, palate-building, and enjoying wine with others, this is the perfect self-purchase or gift for anyone who wants a great wine resource.

From jagged cliffs and towering redwoods, to mysterious sea caves and legendary surf breaks, explore the best of California's golden coast with Moon Coastal California. Travel writer and longtime California resident Stuart Thornton covers the best of coastal California, from hiking through redwoods in Big Sur to surfing the waves at Black's Beach in San Diego. Moon Coastal California is the perfect tour guide, offering unique trip ideas for a wide variety of travelers, whether you're craving a romantic getaway or embarking on a Pacific Coast Road Trip. Packed with expert advice on everything from choosing the best beaches, to whale-watching, to planning a fun side trip to Disneyland, Moon Coastal California gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. Coverage includes: San Francisco and the Bay Area Wine Country North Coast Monterey Bay Big Sur and the Central Coast Santa Barbara and Ventura Los Angeles and Orange County San Diego

BLACK ENTERPRISE is the ultimate source for wealth creation for African American professionals, entrepreneurs and corporate executives. Every month, BLACK ENTERPRISE delivers timely, useful information on careers, small business and personal finance.

Pinot noir, the famously elegant, sexy, and capricious red grape of Burgundy, is finally producing impressive wines in North America. Credit talented winemakers, enthusiastic restaurateurs, and consumers in search of alternatives to cabernet and zinfandel. Considered perhaps the ultimate food wine, pinot noir has an allure based on its special combination of aromas, flavors, and mouthfeel; on its legendary capacity to reflect the terroir where it is grown; and on its reputation for being hard to grow and make. This is the definitive work on pinot noir in North America. A comprehensive reference for winemakers and aficionados as well as a sourcebook for casual enthusiasts, it includes extensive historical and viticultural background on pinot noir in the New World and profiles of six dozen prominent producers in California, Oregon, British Columbia, and New York. John Winthrop Haeger, known for his perceptive wine writing for more than fifteen years, gives contextual and comparative information about pinot noir in Burgundy and then tells the story of wine producers' early failures, frustrations, and breakthroughs in North America. He discusses plant genetics and clones, identifies the essential conditions for really good pinot, tells where the best wines are grown and made, and analyzes the factors that determine wine styles and signatures. In the second part of the book, he presents detailed producer profiles with accessibly written tasting notes on recent and mature vintages. A final section covers glassware, vintages, wine and food pairings, and other matters of interest to consumers. Maps prepared especially for this book cover all the major pinot-producing regions in North America.