A Vineyard in Napa

by Doug Shafer, Danny Meyer (Contributor), Andy Demsky (Contributor)

At the age of 47, when he a successful publishing executive and living with his wife and four children in an affluent Chicago suburb, John Shafer made the surprise announcement that he had purchased a vineyard in the Napa Valley. In 1973, he moved his family to California and, with no knowledge of winemaking, began the journey that would lead him, thirty years later, to own and operate what distinguished wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr. called "one of the world’s greatest wineries." This book, narrated by Shafer’s son Doug, is a personal account of how his father turned his midlife dream into a remarkable success story.Set against the backdrop of Napa Valley’s transformation from a rural backwater in the 1970s through its emergence today as one of the top wine regions in the world, the book begins with the winery’s shaky start and takes the reader through the father and son’s ongoing battles against killer bugs, cellar disasters, local politics, changing consumer tastes, and the volatility of nature itself. Doug Shafer tells the story of his own education, as well as Shafer Vineyards’ innovative efforts to be environmentally sustainable, its role in spearheading the designation of a Stags Leap American Viticultural Area, and how the wine industry has changed in the contemporary era of custom-crushing and hobbyist winery investors.

Genres: Wine, Nonfiction

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Irena Pasvinter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of trials and tribulations of Shafer vineyards in Napa written by Doug Shafer. For readers who have more than passing interest in wine-making and appreciate quality wine made with care and love. Those who think that all wines have similar taste and differ only by price need not bother.

I read this in 2017, before a trip to California -- a few days of work in Fremont; a few more days visiting friends in Fresno, with whom we made one day trips to Yosemite and Sequoia National Park; a quick visit to San Francisco. Anyway, I didn't get to visit Napa Valley, but I did manage to buy a few bottles of fine California wine to bring home.;)

[Greg Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an invitation to fall in love with Napa. Mr. Shafer explores the history of Napa Valley without sentimentality. Things were not always pure and then corrupted. The people were people and the commonality was built on wine, the growing, harvesting, experimenting, and finally, the enjoyment of working a family vineyard.

He shares personal anecdotes that humanizes the people involved. There are characters like Amigo Bob. There are successes and failures. There are lawsuits, bureaucracy, business deals, and risk-taking.

He explores the business-side of wineries with authenticity. It is a business, but it is also personal. I’ve read other books, like Ski, Inc., for example, where the author cannot separate himself from the business. Those books bore because they discuss EBITDA and name-drop. The drops, however, are just that, drops to impress the reader. Shafer succeeds where those other authors fail because he presents well-known names as characters requiring an introduction. That humanity seals through to a good story.

Finally, the use of non-linear narrative makes for more compelling storytelling. Though it follows a logical chronology he successfully avoids the trap of this then that.

It is the history of modern day Napa from one knowledgeable man’s perspective. It is simply an enjoyable read that I recommend

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned of Shafer Vineyards though Doug Shafer's podcast, The Taste (and then watching his sheep video on YouTube, early pandemic). Listening to this book put the history in chronological order, though many bits and pieces felt familiar from the podcasts.

So very enjoyable... Now I just need to get over there to do a tasting and see the beautiful-sounding property.

[thomas kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Story

Napa valley wine history written by one of the people who lived (and still lives) it. Easy read, great name dropping through out the book. Very entertaining read, not overly scientific.
Picking up a bottle of 1.5 for tonight. :)

[Kim Jurgonski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Huge fan of semi bios from wine regions!

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

What made a successful publishing executive living in Chicago, approaching his 50th birthday, decide to purchase a vineyard in California and, without any knowledge of winemaking, change careers "on a whim"?

This book looks at the interesting, remarkable life of John Shafer who has managed to establish what wine critics say is one the world's greatest wineries in a remarkably short time. Despite being written by Shafer's son, this is no hagiography. The trials and tribulations of setting up a business, learning a lot of things from scratch and the problems that beset the operation are all covered in graphic detail through 50 small chapters. Ups as well as downs.

There is no detailed analysis of the Napa Valley wine industry as a whole. This is a clear personal narrative, a written documentary of the journey that the Schafer family has made and a look at their present blueprint for the future. The company, despite its success, is not resting on its laurels and has to keep an eye out for changing customer tastes, environmental, ecological, regulatory and business challenges that may come in the future.

Obviously it helps to have at least an interest in wine, the region or business to at least make the most out of this book. Sure, it could even be classed as a real-life general interest novel (sic) if you wish but a lot of the real joy is the colour material, the nuggets of information, the personal testimony that accompanies this book. Despite the acknowledged pride, justifiable love and admiration that the author holds for what is the family business, an element of objectivity, reserve and discretion remain. The author's I and W-E keys have not been overburdened, so despite it being a book about Shafer, other pertinent things are also covered.

The chapters are concisely, yet informatively written, allowing this book to be one of those things you can read on the move, such as when commuting or when on vacation, if you should so desire but the text is strangely addictive and compelling that you might in any case find that you are navigating through many chapters at a time. It would have been nice for a bit more information about Shafter Wineries and the region on-the-whole for the general reader, but that is more a desire than a serious omission.

The book concludes, or should one say really pauses as Shafer continues, with a bit of a philosophical introspection, looking at a period of economic recession which doesn't put a dampener on the story-so-far, despite one's initial feelings that it would in fact do so. In conclusion, an interesting book that grows on you as you read through it. It is really more than just a look at a winery!

A Vineyard in Napa, written by Doug Shafer & Andy Demsky and published by University of California Press. ISBN 9780520272361, 284 pages. Typical price: USD29.95. YYYY.


// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //

[Brian Schoppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read. Picked it as I thought it would be inspiration for the guy from Chicagoland drops his career for something totally different. However, the story told by his son is a more complex than that. I actually liked this story for its look into one family's path to starting their own business. It goes into the trials and tribulations associated with starting and running your own business. It also gave some background into the history of the Napa and Stag's Leap district (even having visited Napa, I was unaware of most of this stuff). I liked the insight that the book gave into the way Shafer market's their wine and their take on the internet marketing. One common theme in this book was how the business had to keep shifting to reinvent itself in a market that doesn't seem to change, but is actually evolving shortly. This is from the variety of wines and grapes the vineyard produces to the shifting to be a green vineyard. I especially liked how they told the story of when there growth in the wine market from the dot com boom, they choose to invest their revenue growth in building the infrastructure of the vineyard instead of trying to produce more wine than their quality standards would be able to keep up with.

[LM Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So you think you know Napa? Doug Shafer shares his family's forty year 'hero's journey' establishing Napa's Shafer Vineyards. One of Napa's premier vineyards today, Shafer's road to humble greatness includes more than a few potholes, bad vintages, fires, and Stags Leap neighborhood dramas - all told with humor, candor, and generosity of spirit. A must-read for anyone sincere about understanding the true character of a wine region, sans the hype. @ShaferVineyards

[Fabien · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real American dream !
At 50, moving all his family in a vineyard in California. Nothing is easy, lots of challenges and with consistency and perseverance, building the famous, notorious Shafer vineyard.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh I just love Doug Shafer. Hopefully we will see some of his Hillside Select at the shop so that I might experience it for myself.

I lovely history not only of Shafer but of the Stags Leap District and Napa Valley. Fantastic story!

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable easy read by a true insider in Napa Valley. Particularly enjoyed the father/son interplay.

[George Woodbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, covering a family's development of one of Napa's great wineries. The Shafer's definitely have it figured out - do things the right way and you will capture the essence of wine.

[Felicear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting view of the life as a wine maker and insight into Napa. I enjoyed learning about the sustainable farming efforts and evolution of the area.