A Sense of Place: An Intimate Portrait of the Niebaum-Coppola Winery and the Napa Valley

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Summary: A Sense of Place
Review: I found this to be a fascinating account of the story behind the renaissance of one of California's oldest wineries. It has a good mix of characters and history, as well as an engaging attention to detail which should captivate anyone interested in wine making and the struggles involved in resurrecting a heritage. Kolpan's erudite approach to the more esoteric aspects of viticulture is an added benefit.

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Summary: In the Spirit of Wine
Review: I have always appreciated the wines of the Napa Valley and have dutifully purchased the appropriate wine books mechanically offering facts on vintage, variety, aroma, flavor, etc. But no one has ever written the "personal story of a winery." Until now. This wonderful volume reads like a novel but is actually a fascinating piece of oral history driven by a passion for fine wine . Diverse testimonials about grape chemistry, land ownership, and farm labor issues highlight the progression from past to present -- Cask Cabernet to Rubicon. Wine "cognoscenti" have always intimidated me - they have never been able to publish a volume so down to earth as this. When descriptions in the last chapter, "Tasting Notes" offer up "heat seeking its way to achieving palatal harmony" the reader can thank Steven Kolpan for poetically inspiring a better appreciation for the grape's bounty. This is a good read for what makes an historic vineyard work.

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Summary: Great Story
Review: I loved this book - it is a beautiful story with a happy ending. It starts out with an immigrant's dream to create a perfect wine château, the devolution of that dream at the hands of corporate soulessness. It again becomes a dream when Francis Ford Coppola and his wife, Eleanor, successfully piece together the property, the pride and quality of this very special vineyard. The author tells the story through extensive research and interviews with the major players. I learned a lot about the world of great wines and the heart and soul that goes into making them.

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Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the magnificent Neibaum-Copola estate and its rich history. I couldn't put this one down. It is full of very interesting facts about California wine history.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the magnificent Neibaum-Copola estate and its rich history. I couldn't put this one down. It is full of very interesting facts about California wine history.

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Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I've been to the winery and was amazed at the story. I was so excited to find this book so I could have a copy of this story to have for myself.

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Summary: What a wonderful winery...
Review: I've been to the winery and was amazed at the story. I was so excited to find this book so I could have a copy of this story to have for myself.

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Summary: Description of A Sense of Place
Review: In A Sense of Place, renowned wine expert Steven Kolpan tells the story of how Francis Ford Coppola brought California's most distinguished and historical vineyard back to life. Gustave Niebaum's Inglenook Estate, started in 1879, was one of California's first established vineyards and the birthplace of its premium wine industry. Generations after Niebaum's death, the vineyard was sold to Heublein (the distributor of Smirnoff Vodka, among others) who broke up the land and changed the brand from a premium, connoisseur wine to a mass-market jug wine. In 1975, Coppola bought the Niebaum residence and the surrounding estate. Along with the original estate reputation, he also brought back some of its original workers, including Rafael Rodriguez, who, in his late seventies, now serves as the vineyard manager and historian. Coppola overcame naysayers, red tape, and financial turmoil to reestablish the winery as a defender of quality, producing wine under four different labels, including the revered wines Rubicon and Cask Cabernet. In 1995, Coppola purchased the Inglenook Chateau and its adjacent vineyard, fulfilling his dream of reuniting the original Napa Valley Estate. Kolpan's luscious, flavorful narrative is worth enjoying now and keeping for later

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: Rife with historical inaccuracies, this book could have been written by just about anyone who has read the storyboard located at the Niebaum Coppola Winery. The sad thing is that it too contains inaccurate historical information. Try using Napa County records and those of the local newspapers next time Steve, instead of relying on spoon fed information from a publicist.

Rating:
Summary: Needs Revision
Review: Sloppy editing and contradictions distract from an otherwise good story. The review in The Wine Spectator got it right. How about a revised edition?