A Vineyard in Tuscany: A Wine Lover's Dream - Softcover

Máté, Ferenc

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0920256589 ISBN 13: 9780920256589

Publisher: Albatross, 2008

Synopsis

"A sun-drenched memoir with a fairy-tale ending."―Kirkus Reviews

In this laugh-out-loud tale, two adventurers discover that rare combination: joy and success. Candace, a painter, and Ferenc, a writer, begin a new life near the hill town of Montalcino. They restore a thirteenth-century friary, plant fifteen acres of vines, build a winery, tame a runaway tractor, excavate an Etruscan village, and battle volcanic fermenting vats, while learning from famous vintner neighbor Angelo Gaja the secrets of growing the best grapes and making superb, award-winning wine. This extraordinary tale will enrich the lives of travelers and wine lovers alike. A New York Times Book Review 2007 Notable Travel Book.

About this title

About the Author:

FERENC MATE was born in Hungary, escaped at the age of eleven, and has lived in Budapest, Vienna, Vancouver, Laguna Beach, New York, Paris and Rome. He is the author of 15 books translated into 14 languages, including New York Times Notable Book A Vineyard in Tuscany and the Dugger/Nello historical sea adventure fiction series. He lives with his family tending their vines and olives in the hills of Tuscany.

From Publishers Weekly:

Hungarian-Canadian author and sailor Máté (The Hills of Tuscany) recounts in wry, candid detail how he rebuilt a Tuscan ruin into a world-class winery. Living in Tuscany with his artist wife and son while savoring the landscape, food and pleasant neighbors wasn't enough for Máté, who admits he thrives on adversity. He wanted his own castle and finagles the purchase of a 13th-century friary in Montalcino, with a proper forno (oven), a forest crammed with porcini and 60 acres of land—15 of which he fashions over three hard years of work into a vineyard sprouting robust harvests of Sangiovese, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and Syrah grapes. His diary of sorts regales the reader on the process of restoring the ancient ruin, called La Colombaio: first by detailing how an Etruscan house was constructed, then by observing how the various workmen were hired (and what they ate for lunch). While hacking in the forest, he finds the remains of a 3,000-year-old city, inviting the interest of archeologists. Máté breaks from the construction and excavation for treks through the Dolomites before returning to prepare for the toilsome but ultimately satisfying vendemmia (harvest). (Oct.)
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About this edition

• Publisher: Albatross
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0920256589
• ISBN 13: 9780920256589
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 273