Wine critic Steve Heimoff has just released his second book entitled, New Classic Winemakers of California, published by University of California Press.

Here’s what’s being said about the book by wine professionals…
“A fun read, and a humanistic glimpse into the travails and triumphs of winemaking in the 21st century.”–Wine Enthusiast

“The encounters with winemakers make absorbing oral histories for anyone seriously interested in California wine… The content ranges all over the intellectual wine map, from missed or seized career opportunities, to why a winemaker is more passionate about one varietal than another, to what part of Russian River has the best Pinot Noir vineyards… Heimoff is a well-informed interviewer who knew good questions to ask, and he seems to have put his subjects at ease enough that they opened up to him. So it’s no surprise that these new classic winemakers had plenty to say.”–Wines & Vines

“After talking to the industry leaders, the grassroots vintners and the visionaries who promise to keep the California wine business booming, Heimoff presents a clear argument for what makes this industry so special.”–Kirkus Reviews

“This book is intellectual eavesdropping for wine lovers. Steve Heimoff asks all the right questions, and then wisely lets the winemakers take center stage.”–Paul Lukacs, author of The Great Wines of America

Inspired by Robert Benson’s Great Winemakers of California (1977), Steve crossed the state of California to record intimate conversations with more than two dozen winemakers and wine grape growers. The book contains what Steve finds to be the best representation of today’s leaders and visionaries. He’s a perfectionist and a wonderful interviewer. His style of writing is always engaging.

The Line-up of interviewed super stars is the following:

John Alban
Mark Aubert
Heidi Peterson Barrett
Andy Beckstoffer
Greg Brewster
Merry Edwards
Elias Fernandez
Gina Gallo
Rolando Herrera
Genevieve Janssens
Kathy Joseph
Greg La Follette
Adam and Dianna Lee
Dan Morgan Lee
Bob Levy
Rick Longoria
Javier Tapia Meza
Gary, Jeff, and Mark Pisoni
Kent Rosenblum
Ted Seghesio
Doug Shafer
Justin Smith
Tony Soter
Brain Talley
Michael Terrien
Randy Ullom
Margo van Staaveren
Bill Wathan

Heimoff is the West Coast editor for Wine Enthusiast magazine, and the author of A Wine Journey along the Russian River (UC Press 2005).

New Classic Winemakers of California retails for $27.50, and is currently being sold through the following locations:

· UC Press : www.ucpress.edu

· Amazon.com: www.amazon.com

· Chapters Indigo: www.chapters.indigo.ca

· Barnes and Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com

· MSN Shopping: www.shopping.msn.com

This book is a not only a wonderful addition to anyone’s wine library of important publications, but it’s also a perfect gift for the wine lovers on my (or on anyone else’s) holiday shopping list!