This digital version has all the photos in color and labeled. Of the many New World Wine Regions, Napa and Sonoma are probably the most famous, but why? There are many reasons, and they are found in both the stories and the insights that an insider has access to. Considering the location, its popularity seems improbable, because Sonoma and Napa are the northern most points in the Spanish Empire's expansion in the Americas. It was a place that was hard to reach by land, with a coastline that was rocky, and fog bound. When they finally arrived in Sonoma, we're convinced that the Spanish thought to themselves, "We've arrived in Eden, we don't need to go any farther." Sonoma and Napa are located in a special place, that at one time was considered the far ends of the Earth, a place where explorers, adventurers and the foolish went, which made for a very interesting demographic. What is surprising is how different Sonoma and Napa are, located on either side of the Mayacamas Mountains. We often describe Sonoma as the older sister, who is a good-looking girl, a great cook and gardener, always content with her family and friends.

Napa is her golden-haired little brother, who is endlessly curious about the outside world, and every time he walks in the room, everybody makes a fuss. It drives Sonoma crazy, but Napa adores his big sister. These stories and insights about Wine Country, covering its origins and culture, were gathered over twenty years, while tour guides, Ralph and Lahni DeAmicis, stood in the back of tasting rooms listening to the hosts talk about the region, while pouring wine for their tour clients. They found that every story had at least three versions, so they melded them together, using as their guide what felt right. They present a wonderfully revealing picture of this remarkable place and the people who have helped make it special.