Chilton, owner of a Napa Valley winery, captures his extensive subject-matter wisdom in this loosely structured collection of how-tos on purchasing, storing, tasting, collecting, manufacturing, and reading a list of wines, among other topics. Chilton’s advice is wide-ranging and . . . hits the mark. Some examples: avoid low humidity and lights when building a wine cellar. Opt for cork closures, not screw caps or plastic resins. Be aware of possible wine fraud (citing the 2012 case of Rudy Kurniawan, famously convicted of the crime). The second half of his discourse is dedicated to several-dozen select vineyard profiles, featuring at-a-glance snapshots (including details like location, people involved, key wines, grape varieties, etc.), vineyard history, and top vintages. Expect high reader recognition for many labels, like Lafitte Rothschild, Dom Pérignon, Penfolds, Stag’s Leap, and others.

Booklist

This is an excellent instruction manual.... Chilton owns Hourglass Vineyard in Napa Valley and let’s just say he has done his homework.... [I]t’s a very solid guide to 'what’s really good, and why' and is a terrific choice if you or someone you know is planning an oeno-tourismo type trip to, say, France. It gives you tons of details on where to go and what to drink, and you’ll pick up the knack of acting Ultra Knowledgeable about the Good Stuff.

Paste Magazine

If you are like me, great wine and good food are two things that have the ability to enhance your happiness in life…. [This book] can help elevate those already good moods. If you’re new to wine, check out Richard L. Chilton Jr.’s new book, Adventures with Old Vines: A Beginner’s Guide to Being a Wine Connoisseur. Chilton, who owns Hourglass Vineyard in Napa Valley, delivers a book grounded in his 40-year wine journey to help ‘new wine connoisseurs’ with theirs. Chilton dissects the art of winemaking, tasting and reading a wine list before introducing profiles of his ‘benchmark’ wines. Chosen because of the ‘unique place they hold in the wine world,’ Chilton supplies information newbies should know about why each of these vineyards, and their classic vintages, are significant.

The Pulse Magazine

Wine is endlessly fascinating, and the artistry and science behind it engages all our senses. But its complexity can also be intimidating to novice wine lovers. Adventures with Old Vines equips beginning enthusiasts with the knowledge to fully appreciate and understand each wine they taste and to start a wine collection of their own. Richard Chilton’s passion for the grape and the beverage shines through in this delightful and insightful guide to all things wine.

Beth Novak Milliken, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery

They say that great wine is made in the vineyard—and Richard Chilton believes that great wine lovers are made there too. His engagingnew book, Adventures with Old Vines,is a personal guide for aspiring wine connoisseurs, focusing on iconic vineyards, wines, and the factors that make them truly great. Vintage reading for connoisseurs and wine newbies alike!

Mike Veseth, Editor of The Wine Economist newsletter and author of Wine Wars II