Reflections of a Vintner, Tor Kenward
Reflections of a Vintner, Tor Kenward
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

Reflections of a Vintner
Stories and Seasonal Wisdom from a Lifetime in Napa Valley

Author: Tor Kenward, Robert M. Parker, Thomas Keller

Narrator: Steve Marvel

Unabridged: 6 hr 47 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 12/27/2022


Synopsis

Reflections of a Vintner recounts the lessons learned, relationships forged, and observations made from an insider's nearly fifty-year journey through the burgeoning wine industry in Napa Valley. From the mid-seventies, when there were less than fifty wineries, to the present, with over eight hundred, Tor Kenward shares his recollections as the region became a world-class wine destination.

In addition to the wine knowledge Kenward imparts, the vintner shares stories of his friendships with legends of the modern American food and wine scene, including Julia Child, André Tchelistcheff, Andy Beckstoffer, and Robert Mondavi, among others.

In the October 2021 Judgment of Napa, TOR Cabernet was judged to be #1, outscoring legendary Bordeaux châteaux, Napa Valley, and international peers by leading critics and sommeliers. TOR wines, coveted by connoisseurs worldwide, received seven perfect 100-point ratings from leading critics for their 2018 Napa Valley wines.

With Kenward's impressive connection to Napa Valley and his legacy of creating inimitable wines, Reflections of a Vintner offers entertaining insights into an often intimidating and complex but highly enjoyable world.

About Tor Kenward

Tor Kenward is considered an industry icon after almost half a century on the front lines of Napa Valley's wine industry. He founded TOR Wines in 2001, focusing on single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons that are highly prized by wine collectors around the world. From 1977 to 2001 he was instrumental in shaping Beringer Vineyard's Private Reserve programs; was mentored by notable winemakers from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Napa Valley; and built wine and food programs with the help of Julia Child and Madeleine Kamman. TOR Wines recently took first place at the 2021 Judgment of Napa Tasting, beating out both domestic and international peers.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Laura

I have lots of beefs with this book—the structure, the editing… but one of the biggest is the name-dropping. Clearly Tor has decades of experience in this industry but it feels like he tried to cram in a mention of everyone he ever worked with rather than spending more time on a few good stories. (J......more

I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I saw Tor Kenward on a talk show and liked how passionate he was about wines. I enjoyed his stories and learning about the “wine world” it truly is fascinating. I need a Napa Valley trip and clearly need to give reds a try especially some Caber......more

Goodreads review by Matthew

Wow! This has been one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. I learnt so much about the evolution of Napa Valley to becoming one of the greatest wine regions in the world. Tor Kenward wrote an amazing book filled with engaging stories of his experience in the wine community. All I know is I’m going t......more

Goodreads review by Adele

Good overview of the history of Napa Valley. Fun and entertaining anecdotes, but the book was packed with too much name-dropping and the author came across a bit egotistical.......more