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Destination: Tuscany, Napa Valley Departure time: 1950s
A novel of wine and secrets from the Napa Valley to the vineyards of Tuscany
The Winemakers
What you need to know before your trail
1956: Caterina Rosetta inherits a cottage in the countryside of Italy from a grandmother she’s never known, but that’s not the only surprise she gets as the house holds the key to a long-buried family secret which turns out to be so devastating, it threatens the future of everything she has ever known.
Many years ago, her mother worked tirelessly in order to stake her family’s claim in the vineyards of California. Caterina Rosetta, has inherited both her mother’s talent for crafting the finest wines and also her indomitable will, wants nothing more than to win her mother’s approval and work at her side.
However the two women are holding secrets from each other – Caterina a child, fathered by the love of her life, who left her without explanation. And the secret her mother is holding is more devastating still.
Locations
ResetTravel Guide
From the vineyards of Napa Valley and the lush vineyard of Mille Étoiles, to the even lusher greenery and hilly area of Toscana where the family had an estate – the house that Catarina now finds.
“This cloying summer heat was neaby Napa Valley wether – good for ripening grapes”
Her mother Ava is a self made woman who has single handedly managed a vineyard and escaped from a situation she hoped she would never find herself in again. California is their haven, their escape and Ava has managed to become the only or one of the only women to run a vineyard here and to be respected for it.
“Caterina woke to the aroma of fresh-baked bread and the sound o fboy’s laughter an wondered for a moment where she was. Italy, Montalcino”
“The morning air was cool, and the fresh scent of dew lade herbs perfumed the terrace”
Lush descriptions of the Italian and Californian countrysides and detailed information on the wine-making process make this an evocative and taste bud tempting read. This estate is in Montalcino, Italy, a place her mother never speaks about, so Caterina knows her mother once lived there and so there is a lot for her to discover
Streetview Maps
B) USA - CA - Napa Valley Vineyard
D Tuscany - Montalcino main square
Booktrailer Review
Susan: @thebooktrailer
There is so much to love about this novel and more than lives up to the high standard she set with Sent of Triumph. I just really identify with her characters and understand them. Ava and Caterina’s lives are so far removed from my own but it’s the little details and the secrets women share that made me feel close to them.
It’s a story about women and the choices they had in the 1950s that really held my fascination. The family secrets that come spilling out and the treatment of women as second class citizens is nicely drawn and creates a trail of deceit, secrets and ultimately hope.
On top of this, the story of winemaking and the skill and detail that this involves was just amazing. I knew nothing about this yet I felt I was on the vineyard myself, talking the language of wine and even though I rarely drink the stuff myself, I really wanted to spend time in both locations finding out more. It’s quite an insight into how wine is made and how a vineyard is so much work but can stay in a family for decades.
These are all great ingredients for a novel and together it’s like a tapestry of colour, aromas and sensations. A picture of the 1950s, of viniculture and women with choices and family ties.
You have to read this with a glass of the best vino you can find. Relax, take a sip and indulge in a lovely, full flavoured journey.
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information: The Winemakers
Destination: Napa Valley, Montalcino Departure Time: 1950s
Twitter: @janmoran
Facebook : janmoranbooks
Web: janmoranwrites.com
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