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A Vineyard in Tuscany: A Wine Lover's Dream | 
 enlarge | Author: Ferenc Mate
Publisher: Albatross
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy Used: $12.00
You Save: $12.95 (52%)
New (31) Used (18) from $12.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 61269
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.9 x 1.1
ISBN: 0920256562
Dewey Decimal Number: 920
EAN: 9780920256565
ASIN: 0920256562
Publication Date: November 5, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
In this intimate and uproarious story, two daring New Yorkers convert an ancient, abandoned farm into a world-renowned winery.
Finding your dream house with a vineyard in Tuscany is like searching the woods for porcini mushrooms: a labor of love. Such feats require patience, discernment, resolve, and an indestructible sense of humor.
The Matés' future home and wine estate lies amid breathtaking scenery in a community brimming with warmth. In Italy's most prestigious wine zone, Montalcino, they restore a thirteenth-century friary nestled on two hills within sixty acres of forest, olives, and potential vineyards. Here they plant fifteen acres of vines, build the winery, and learn from their famous vintner neighbors, like Angelo Gaja, the secrets of how to grow the best grapes and make superb wines. Within the first years, the Maté wines receive international acclaim.
This highly entertaining tale of how two dreamers struggle and thrive in idyllic Tuscany will enrich the lives of travelers and wine lovers alike.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 25 more reviews...
In vino veritas October 6, 2008
In wine there is truth, or at least in this case, wisdom and a beautifully written book. I have been a fan of Mr. Mate's writing for many years and this book does not disappoint. Written in a similar style to The Hills of Tuscany, Mr. Mate brings the reader along on his quest to restore a dilapidated friary and establish a vineyard of his own. Equal parts insight, humor (the tractor driving experiment) and adventure; Mr. Mate has once again blended a perfect read.
PARADISE REGAINED September 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I read the "criticisms" on this board and do not share them. This was not intended as a treatise on vine growing and wine making but a deeply personal account of one family's quest for achieving a dream -- told with wonderful writing style, transporting the reader into the magical and unique world of discovery, illumination, and appreciation of one of God's gifts -- Tuscany. Try to imagine yourself getting "tips" from Gaja; rubbing elbows in the rich soil of this region with the Conterno's and Banfi's; re-discovering the special beauties that the Etruscans built and the centuries hid from plain sight. This book is not a "how-to" dissertation; rather, it is a nearly mystical rendition of unearthing (literally) a treasure nearly lost to us, and a saga full of fun. Talk about being "transported"; Mr. Mate takes the reader on a "magical mystery tour" of his and his family's sheer delight -- and terribly hard work -- in bringing back to life a thoroughly delicious slice of creation -- God's and man's. Even if you're one who puts ice cubes in your Syrah, don't pass this up.
 Depends on your expectation June 19, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Based on the other reviews, I had high hopes for this book; I expected a more thorough story of his experience starting his own vineyard, people he had interacted with and the "terrior" of his vineyard embedded with light-hearted anecdotes. Instead, I found the details lacking. Little time is spent on the characters who appeared in the book, the restoration of the estate, planting and cultivating of the vineyard, wine-making decisions, and his (and his family's) tie to the place. The fact that this book is written in many short chapters averaging less than 10 pages each should have been the first sign. I do not doubt that Mr. Mate will be an interesting guy to have a drink with, and I am sure that he has many interesting stories to tell. But after reading this book, I get a feeling that this is a tale of a wealthy individual (despite his repetitive mentioning of being/getting poor as a result of this endeavor) who spent his way to have people make great wines from a land he has purchased. While this statement may not do him justice, and perhaps that is what this book is meant to be, but more on the people, more on the place, more on his (or the wine maker/consultant's) philosophy of how to cultivate the land and make a great wine will greatly improve the book.
A Vinyard in Tuscany June 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A Vinyard in Tuscany by Ferenc Mate is the second in a series on life in Tuscany. In a genre loosely known as expats move to Tuscany, Mate is truly in a class by himself. If Frances Mayes is the standard ,then Ferenc Mate far excells her in poetry , lyrical description , humor and sensitivity. If after reading this book, you don't want his life then you better check your pulse. A love song to Tuscany and the art of wine, makes Frances Mayes akin to watching paint dry. Read The Hills of Tuscany as well which he wrote about first moving there 20 years ago.
Funny, descriptive and entertaining March 25, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Ferenc Mate's second book on Italy (buy the first one "Hills of Tuscany" also, they are distinctly a matched set to be enjoyed one after the other) is, if possible, even better than the first one. He had a wonderful understanding of Italian culture and is able to convey that to his reader. If you have ever visited Italy, or are planning to, then his books are a must read. One of the things I really like about Mr. Mate's writing is it is appealing to both men and women. I love being able to discuss a book with my husband. In fact with this one, it is the first time I have heard my husband laugh out loud while reading. At first I thought he was choking and when I ran into the room he said "honey, it's the part where he is driving the tractor". Michael and I spend two weeks in Tuscany every May and truly, in this book, the essence of the Montalcino area is captured and wrapped up like a Christmas present for the reader.
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