Circle of Vines

Book excerpt: Traces the history of the New York wine industry as it evolved across the state. Winegrower and journalist Richard Figiel offers the first comprehensive history of New York wine, following its turbulent evolution across the state and emerging as a dynamic player in the world of fine wine. He begins by examining New York’s distinctive viticultural roots and the geologic forces that shaped the state’s terrain for winegrowing. Starting with early efforts to grow grapes for wine in the Hudson Valley, the story moves west to the Finger Lakes and Lake Erie, circles around the state from Long Island to the North Country, and, finally, to contemporary New York City. Through industry booms and busts, he explores the New York wine industry’s continuing process of reinvention by resourceful immigrants, family dynasties, giant corporations, and back-to-the-land dreamers. Moving across centuries of winemaking, Figiel unfolds an extraordinary array of grape species, varieties, and wines. “This is a clear and coherent theme—the evolution of an important modern wine industry in New York. It is the most complete history of this topic.” — Ian A. Merwin, viticulturalist at Cornell University, coauthor of A Grower’s Guide to Organic Apples “What works is when the book weaves between providing basic history and then anecdotes that illuminate that history. I had difficulty putting the book down because it was entertaining. This should make a very fine contribution to the literature of wine-making in New York.” — John C. Hartsock, author of Seasons of a Finger Lakes Winery