Rating: 
Summary: Splendid resource for discovering or remembering Napa Valley
Review: "We have a day or two. There are 200+ wineries. How can we best enjoy a quality visit of the Napa Valley"? While directing the Napa Valley Wine Auction, this question was often posed to me by prospective visitors. What a pleasure it was and is to point guests in the direction of Antonia Allegra's fine book, Napa Valley: The Ultimate Winery Guide. It is a splendid resource for discovering or simply remembering the wonders of this world-renown wine region. Antonia Allegra's award-winning writing style, reminiscent of MFK Fisher, complemented by the stunning photography of Richard Gillette is as inviting as the lush landscapes of the Napa Valley itself. Touring alternatives, including many hidden gems, are selected from the favored 50 wineries. While offering seasonal variation, tours are thoughtfully presented to appeal to a wide range of possible reader interests be they wine-making, architecture, gardens, panoramas, art, grape-growing or regional characteristics. Even cave-dwellers will find a dream tour in these pages. As a guide, a gift or a treasure, readers are certain to find satisfaction in the Artistry of "Napa Valley: The Ultimate Winery Guide". I've purchased dozens as gifts, and most recently carried several copies of Allegra's book on a luggage-sparse trek of South America where it became a wonderful tool for communicating the otherwise indescribably rich wonders of this valley I have the good fortune to call "home". LN Russell
Rating:
Summary: Splendid resource for discovering or remembering Napa Valley
Review: "We have a day or two. There are 200+ wineries. How can we best enjoy a quality visit of the Napa Valley"? While directing the Napa Valley Wine Auction, this question was often posed to me by prospective visitors. What a pleasure it was and is to point guests in the direction of Antonia Allegra's fine book, Napa Valley: The Ultimate Winery Guide. It is a splendid resource for discovering or simply remembering the wonders of this world-renown wine region. Antonia Allegra's award-winning writing style, reminiscent of MFK Fisher, complemented by the stunning photography of Richard Gillette is as inviting as the lush landscapes of the Napa Valley itself. Touring alternatives, including many hidden gems, are selected from the favored 50 wineries. While offering seasonal variation, tours are thoughtfully presented to appeal to a wide range of possible reader interests be they wine-making, architecture, gardens, panoramas, art, grape-growing or regional characteristics. Even cave-dwellers will find a dream tour in these pages. As a guide, a gift or a treasure, readers are certain to find satisfaction in the Artistry of "Napa Valley: The Ultimate Winery Guide". I've purchased dozens as gifts, and most recently carried several copies of Allegra's book on a luggage-sparse trek of South America where it became a wonderful tool for communicating the otherwise indescribably rich wonders of this valley I have the good fortune to call "home". LN Russell
Rating: 
Summary: As handy as it is beautiful!
Review: 5/8/2001 NAPA VALLEY: The Ultimate Winery Guide Revised and updated Third Edition by Antonia Allegra Photography by Richard Gillette Forward by Robert Mondavi In her book, NAPA VALLEY: The Ultimate Winery Guide, Antonia Allegra features 29 of her favorite wineries. She bases her selections on how she feels they will become an enjoyable learning experience as well as a fond memory. Richard Gillette's splendid photography makes this a feast of photos, a collection to keep and share. Allegra's book is filled with winemaking stories and local history. Each property, with its ancient and contemporary art, fills ivy-covered halls, Victorian landmarks and ambling chateaus. These are mixed amongst magnificent castles, an old California abbey and a Greco-Roman temple. Humble mission abodes and California plantation homes lend their appeal, as well. Allegra devotes a separate chapter to each winery, with a side bar telling access details, hours of operation, tasting times -- charges, if any -- types of wine offered and website information. She also indexes each winery as to region, town, visiting seasons and special attractions. In a section entitled, Triangle Tours, Allegra suggests three easily seen wineries during a single day's Napa Valley outing. This Guide is as beautiful as it is helpful. (end)
Rating:
Summary: As handy as it is beautiful!
Review: 5/8/2001 NAPA VALLEY: The Ultimate Winery Guide Revised and updated Third Edition by Antonia Allegra Photography by Richard Gillette Forward by Robert Mondavi In her book, NAPA VALLEY: The Ultimate Winery Guide, Antonia Allegra features 29 of her favorite wineries. She bases her selections on how she feels they will become an enjoyable learning experience as well as a fond memory. Richard Gillette's splendid photography makes this a feast of photos, a collection to keep and share. Allegra's book is filled with winemaking stories and local history. Each property, with its ancient and contemporary art, fills ivy-covered halls, Victorian landmarks and ambling chateaus. These are mixed amongst magnificent castles, an old California abbey and a Greco-Roman temple. Humble mission abodes and California plantation homes lend their appeal, as well. Allegra devotes a separate chapter to each winery, with a side bar telling access details, hours of operation, tasting times -- charges, if any -- types of wine offered and website information. She also indexes each winery as to region, town, visiting seasons and special attractions. In a section entitled, Triangle Tours, Allegra suggests three easily seen wineries during a single day's Napa Valley outing. This Guide is as beautiful as it is helpful. (end)
Rating:
Summary: As handy as it is beautiful!
Review: 5/8/2001 NAPA VALLEY: The Ultimate Winery Guide Revised and updated Third Edition by Antonia Allegra Photography by Richard Gillette Forward by Robert Mondavi In her book, NAPA VALLEY: The Ultimate Winery Guide, Antonia Allegra features 29 of her favorite wineries. She bases her selections on how she feels they will become an enjoyable learning experience as well as a fond memory. Richard Gillette's splendid photography makes this a feast of photos, a collection to keep and share. Allegra's book is filled with winemaking stories and local history. Each property, with its ancient and contemporary art, fills ivy-covered halls, Victorian landmarks and ambling chateaus. These are mixed amongst magnificent castles, an old California abbey and a Greco-Roman temple. Humble mission abodes and California plantation homes lend their appeal, as well. Allegra devotes a separate chapter to each winery, with a side bar telling access details, hours of operation, tasting times -- charges, if any -- types of wine offered and website information. She also indexes each winery as to region, town, visiting seasons and special attractions. In a section entitled, Triangle Tours, Allegra suggests three easily seen wineries during a single day's Napa Valley outing. This Guide is as beautiful as it is helpful. (end)
Rating:
Summary: Winery Guide for Wine Country Residents
Review: As a California native, and a person who has lived in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County wine country for years, I keep my copy of "Napa Valley The Ultimate Winery Guide" in the trunk of my car. It is not only my guide to wineries in each particular geographic section of Napa Valley, but also my resource for tracking down a certain vintage or type of wine. It also assists me in planning short excursions during which I may want to visit an art gallery along with a winery, and long weekend tours with friends when I want to give an overview with a bit of everything Napa Valley has to offer: a small town not well-known by tourists, a French-Chateau, the best view in the Valley, wonderful walks and, always, pointers on events--both fixed offerings at each winery and seasonal goings-on. The detailed information and directions make this guide a user-friendly pleasure. In short, this is a convenient reference book on how to get the most out of Napa Valley...whether you are a resident who hasn't yet had the opportunity to discover all of Ms. Allegra's wonderful finds, or a visitor wanting to pack a variety of the Valley's best into a day or two. This is a must for anyone visiting Napa Valley, or vicariously enjoying an armchair tour through the beautiful photographs.
Rating:
Summary: Winery Guide for Wine Country Residents
Review: As a California native, and a person who has lived in the Napa Valley and Sonoma County wine country for years, I keep my copy of "Napa Valley The Ultimate Winery Guide" in the trunk of my car. It is not only my guide to wineries in each particular geographic section of Napa Valley, but also my resource for tracking down a certain vintage or type of wine. It also assists me in planning short excursions during which I may want to visit an art gallery along with a winery, and long weekend tours with friends when I want to give an overview with a bit of everything Napa Valley has to offer: a small town not well-known by tourists, a French-Chateau, the best view in the Valley, wonderful walks and, always, pointers on events--both fixed offerings at each winery and seasonal goings-on. The detailed information and directions make this guide a user-friendly pleasure. In short, this is a convenient reference book on how to get the most out of Napa Valley...whether you are a resident who hasn't yet had the opportunity to discover all of Ms. Allegra's wonderful finds, or a visitor wanting to pack a variety of the Valley's best into a day or two. This is a must for anyone visiting Napa Valley, or vicariously enjoying an armchair tour through the beautiful photographs.
Rating:
Summary: great overview of where to go and why
Review: Having never been to the valley, this book was an invaluable help in breaking down the different wineries into catagories of interest other than just wine tasting, and the suggestions were right on the money. A must for any first time goer, and a great source for all else.
Rating: 
Summary: I want more
Review: I have been researching my vacation to wine country for about a month now and have been unable to find a book that gives an objective viewpoint. I want a book to actually recommend a winery in addition to explaining what the winery has to offer. This book goes over the tours available at most wineries in the area which is helpful, but not exhaustive.
Rating:
Summary: I want more
Review: I have been researching my vacation to wine country for about a month now and have been unable to find a book that gives an objective viewpoint. I want a book to actually recommend a winery in addition to explaining what the winery has to offer. This book goes over the tours available at most wineries in the area which is helpful, but not exhaustive.
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