A Cultivated Life
A Year in a California Vineyard

What makes a wine distinctive is the goût du terroir, or the taste of the land—plus the personality and passion of the wine maker who lovingly adds his own liqueur de dosage or secret ingredient to each bottle. Here is a vintner’s month-by-month account of one vintage at the Iron Horse vineyard located in the hills of Sonoma County in California. Author and wife of Iron Horse’s wine-maker, Joy Sterling, fascinates with her account of the commitment involved in producing a premium wine.