At Home in the Vineyard: Cultivating a Winery, an Industry, and a Life
In 1970, the Blossers were in their mid-20s, having spent most of their four married years in graduate school or on memorable road trips in their Volkswagon camper. Then, as she puts it, "Bill and I each gave birth." She produced their first child, while he bought their first lot of vineyard land—in Oregon. As Blosser explains, in 1970 American wine was supposed to be made in California, if at all. But they were guessing that pinot noir, in particular, might work well in a colder, damper climate if the soil were right and the growing calendar adjusted to work with the weather. The Blossers, together with other Oregon pioneers, built up a well-regarded wine industry, which in recent years has become one of the state's more environmentally progressive industries as well. Blosser tells the story of how they learned both viniculture and small business management. True, their marriage ended after 33 years, but she's not one to dwell on the negative in this upbeat narrative. While Blosser's story might be interesting for a vintner hopeful, general readers may find it flat. Blosser might make great wines, but her writing could use a little more flavor.(Aug.)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.