The Road to Burgundy, Ray Walker
The Road to Burgundy, Ray Walker
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The Road to Burgundy
The Unlikely Story of an American Making Wine and a New Life in France

Author: Ray Walker

Narrator: Sean Crisden

Unabridged: 7 hr 51 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 07/11/2013


Synopsis

Ray Walker had a secure career in finance until a wine-tasting vacation ignited a passion that he couldn't stifle. Ray neglected his work, spending hours poring over ancient French wine-making texts, learning the techniques and the language, and daydreaming about vineyards. After Ray experienced his first taste of wine from Burgundy, he could wait no longer. He quit his job and went to France to start a winery—with little money, a limited command of French, and virtually no wine-making experience.

Fueled by determination and joie de vivre, he immersed himself in the extraordinary history of Burgundy's vineyards and began honing his skills. Ray became a pioneer in his use of ancient techniques in modern times and founded Maison Ilan. In 2009, Ray became the first non-French winemaker to purchase grapes and produce a wine from Le Chambertin, long considered to be one of the most revered and singular vineyards in the world.

Along with his struggle to capture his wine's distinct terroir, Ray shares enthralling stories of late-night tastings, flying down the Route National on a vintage Peugeot bicycle with no brakes, and his journey to secure both the trust of his insular Burgundian neighbors and the region's most coveted grapes. Capturing the sunlight, the smell of the damp soil, and the taste of superlative wine, The Road to Burgundy is a glorious celebration of finding one's true path in life, and taking a chance—whatever the odds.

About Ray Walker

Ray Walker is the founder and owner of Maison Ilan in Nuits-Saint-Georges, France. He lives with his wife, Christian, and their two daughters, Isabella Ilan and Siena Jesline, in Burgundy, France. The Road to Burgundy is his first book.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Mark

In reviewing Thorstein Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class I told a story about sitting next to some very yuppified software developers while flying back to San Francisco, both of them spending their entire flight (or the best part of it- the other half was "layoffs, and rumors of layoffs") speakin......more

Goodreads review by Marcia

Not just another book about an American moving to France. This is a fast paced bio about someone who totally followed his passion. As an infrequent drinker, I felt I was finally able to understand the complexity of the flavors of wine from his descriptions of terroir and its grapes.......more

Goodreads review by Blagoi

Nice book presenting the life of a wine lover who decides to go all in for his dream - making wine in Burgundy. Most of the times in the story the things just put in their exact places but that cannot take anything from the devotion and dedication of the main character. It can happen, if you want it......more

This is a book for anyone who's ever known what he/she has to do in life, and then by golly, sets out and DOES it despite overwhelmingly masochistic odds. Ok, it's also a book for those who enjoy wine. And good food. And travel. I was researching Burgundy while I was reading, which is always a good......more