THE VINEYARDS AND WINE CELLARS OF CALIFORNIA: An Essay on Early California Winemaking, Edited and with an Introduction by Thomas Pinney and a Foreword by Robert Mondavi
San Francisco: The Book Club of California, 1994. Hardcover. Limited to 450 copies designed and printed at The Yolla Bolly Press. Signed by Thomas Pinney on the title page. "Thomas Hardy recognized the potential of California’s vineyards over a century ago. Originally entitled Notes on Vineyards in America and Europe, and first published in Adelaide, Australia, in 1885, the text reprinted in this book reflects the author’s enthusiasm about the potential of the Napa Valley for becoming a major center for producing grapes and the wine derived from them. Hardy’s own experience as a planter, winemaker, and merchant served him well during his brief but remarkable twenty-day tour of California’s wine regions. Among other things, he describes how wine was sold in late 19th-century California, either directly as by Charles Krug, whose winery he visited, or through San Francisco merchants. Hardy’s figures do not indicate that riches were obtained through the wine trade at that point. The vintners, of course, prevailed, and Hardy’s account presents a wide variety of other interesting details about the 'vineyards and cellars' of California in that period and what he saw as their potential." Illustrated with historic photographs and tipped in reproductions of wine industry trade cards and labels. Quarto. Original printed paper-covered boards over a purple cloth spine, with a printed paper spine label. The spine is a touch sun faded; else near fine. Housed in the publisher's slipcase. Near fine. Item #75494
Price: $200.00