On Books

Napa Wine: from Mission Days to Present

2nd edition, by Charles L. Sullivan;
published by the Wine Appreciation Guild in cooperation with the Napa Valley Wine Library Association

In celebration of the publication of the second edition of Napa Wine, Larkmead Vineyards in Calistoga hosted a book signing with author Charles L. Sullivan on Tuesday, May 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In attendance were members of the Napa Valley Wine Library Association, Wine Appreciation Guild, Sonoma Wine Library, and friends of Larkmead. Elliott Mackey, president of the Wine Appreciation Guild, Kate and Cam Baker, owners of Larkmead, Dale Brown, Bob Long, and Bob Pecota, old and new members of the NVWLA board were all part of the reception for Charles.

NVWLA initiated the writing of Napa Wine almost twenty years ago. A first edition of Napa Wine was published in 1994. So many changes have come to the Napa Valley wine community since then, that the author saw the need to bring his book up to date. Charles has added a fifteenth chapter, “When Cabernet Was King” and ends his history with the sale of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in July of 2007. All his notes, indices, tables and maps have been revised for this new edition as well.

In April the Wine Literary Foundation honored Charles with its 18th Wine Literary Award for his work as a wine historian. Charles was particularly interested to visit the winery at Larkmead, since it is one of the newest in the Valley, serving vineyards that are among the Valley’s oldest. He was also able to visit Oak Knoll Ranch and Lamoreaux Vineyards before the reception. If you missed the chance to meet and talk with Charles, he will be at the Annual Tasting, Sunday, August 24, to sign copies of his new edition of Napa Wine.

photography: Julie Dickson