Back Lane Wineries of Sonoma by Tilar Mazzeo

"Be careful going in search of adventure - it'smake said appointment, as Nunes' wines are little
ridiculously easy to find" - William Least Heat Moonknown and worth the while.
Tilar Mazzeo's new book - the charming Back LaneAnd then there is Nalle Winery, where the Nalle family
Wineries of Sonoma - has made your winehas been producing small-lot wines in the Dry Creek
adventures that much easier. This book simply whetsValley since the 1980s. It is easy to become
one's appetite for wine travels along the backroadsenchanted by this family of winemakers who believe
of Sonoma County in search of hard to find, and,that 'wine makes you smart' and whose approach to
yes, adventurous wineries.wine is described as "laidback and fun-loving".
The layout of Mazzeo's Back Lane Wineries ofWith just over 65 wineries included, Mazzeo's guide is
Sonoma is straightforward and easy-to-use. It ischockfull of similarly tempting anecdotes, so one
divided into five sections (six if you count the Intromust not forget to give certain props where props
How to Use section) highlighting Sonoma County'sare due. For how else could one learn of some of
revered wine regions: Dry Creek Valley, Alexanderthese lesser-known wineries - and the producers so
Valley, Healdsburg, Russian River Valley, Sonomasingle-mindedly passionate about wine - without Ms.
Valley and Carneros. The wines that are writtenMazzeo's having travelled these backroads, explored
about in this smart little travelogue are thethe wineries, and written this book.
remarkable hand-crafted wines that herald fromTilar Mazzeo is a cultural historian, biographer, and
family-run operations and that, with few exceptions,assistant professor of English at Colby College. This
see only local distribution. (Mazzeo doesn't spend anymay well explain her depth as a curious human being:
time writing about the big dogs of Sonoma). For eachin Back Lane Wineries of Sonoma she not only seeks
chapter, Mazzeo throws in favorite restaurants,out world class wines, she also seek out the people
cafes, and picnic spots.behind the wines, the stories behind the people. And
It's not only lesser-known winemakers and wineriesin her conversational manner, she conveys her
represented here. Some wines see a broaderconsiderable wine knowledge. It is like listening to
distribution than others. Iron Hill, Unti, Robert Young,one's best friend, home from a wine holiday, still
and Dutton Goldfield, for instance. But keep in mindgiddy with excitement, still full of all those sights and
that these wineries are producing less than 35,000tastes.
cases a year. And though it seems a big number,With over 7 million tourists - connoisseurs and
consider that the output of commercial operations isbeginning enthusiasts alike - visiting Sonoma Wine
closer to 5 million cases a year.Country annually, it's not such a bad idea to take to
Most of the wineries presented in Back Lanethe back roads and experience a wine tasting or two
Wineries of Sonoma produce less than 10,000 casesfrom these smaller wineries. Not to mention, meeting
yearly. Some less than 1000. Most of these wines canthe producers themselves. Most certainly don't forget
only be found and purchased locally. Take Bacarto pack Back Lane Wineries of Sonoma. This little
Vineyards in Healdsburg. "One-man wonder" Tracegem of a guide, thanks to Tilar Mazzeo, just made
Nunes produces only one wine, a Burgundy-styleyour Sonoma adventure ridiculously easier. And
Pinot Noir that retails for $100. He fairly eschewsremarkably tastier, at that.
advertising his wine, favoring working the fieldsBe sure to keep an eye out for Back Lane Wineries
instead. His is an appointment only operation, andof Napa by Tilar Mazzeo, coming 2010.
Mazzeo makes it clear that it is worth one's time to