"Back Lane Wineries of Napa" by Tilar Mazzeo for anyone who has ever enjoyed a sip of Napa wine

Some of the best wines in the world are California Wines, and some of the best California wines come from the twin valleys of Napa and Sonoma. I have the great fortune to live in the midst of California wine country; an hour drive from Napa, hour plus from Sonoma, thirty minutes from Lodi to the South and Amador to the North. So making day trips to wine country is something my husband and I do often, however, as often as we have been to Napa and visited wineries along Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail, little did we know there were wonderful back lane wineries we didn't know existed. Wineries that Napa locals knew about but not readily shared with outsiders.  Now thanks to Tilar J. Mazzeo the cat is out of the bag because his wonderful  "Back Lane Wineries of Napa" lets us in on the secret. Whether you are a seasoned wine aficionado, a novice, or someone who just enjoys a great bottle of wine this book is for you.  The Introduction sets the scene, enticing you to picture sitting on a veranda overlooking beautiful country with a great glass of wine in your hand, a wine that none of your friends have ever tasted or even heard of. Then there is a chapter on how to use the book, which has some good tips on selecting a tasting area for either a day trip or a longer visit. The bulk of the book is all about the little known wineries divided into nine different tasting areas. Each of these tasting areas are chapters that list a selection of wineries, their histories, types of wine produced, some wine prices and the tasting fees.  You will learn that some of these small wineries are owned by vintners who had their start at some of the more famous wineries in France, Italy and Napa/Sonoma. No wonder these wines are worth searching out. Once you begin reading this wonderful little book you will want to plan a vacation to Napa Valley for an amazing stay in some of the most beautiful country in Northern California, savoring great wine and great food while visiting local spa's and hot springs and staying in comfort in the area's accommodations. Which are all included in each chapter. Whatever you do, don't forget to pack this gem of a book as you will want to refer to it over and over again. This book now has a permanent place in the glove box of my car for my future forays to the valley. I just wish I had picked up this book years ago.