This award-winning book takes the reader through the breathtaking vineyards and quaint charm of California's renowned wine region. A listing of wineries and tasting rooms is included, along with reproductions of the region's legendary wine labels.

When acclaimed journalist Alan Deutschman came to the California wine country as the lucky house guest of very rich friends, he was surprised to discover a raging controversy. A civil war was being fought between the Napa Valley, which epitomized elitism, prestige and wealthy excess, and the neighboring Sonoma Valley, a rag-tag bohemian enclave so stubbornly backward that rambunctious chickens wandered freely through town. But the antics really began when new-money invaders began pushing out Sonoma’s poets and painters to make way for luxury resorts and trophy houses that seemed a parody of opulence. A Tale of Two Valleys captures these stranger-than-fiction locales with the wit of a Tom Wolfe novel and uncorks the hilarious absurdities of life among the wine world’s glitterati. Deutschman found that on the weekends the wine country was like a bunch of gracious hosts smiling upon their guests, but during the week the families feuded with each other and their neighbors like the Hatfields and McCoys. Napa was a comically exclusive club where the super-rich fought desperately to get in. Sonoma’s colorful free spirits and iconoclasts were wary of their bohemia becoming the next playground for the rapacious elite. So, led by a former taxicab driver and wine-grape picker, a cheese merchant, and an artist who lived in a barn surrounded by wild peacocks, they formed a populist revolt to seize power and repel the rich invaders. Deutschman’s cast of characters brims with eccentrics, egomaniacs, and a mysterious man in black who crashed the elegant Napa Valley Wine Auction before proceeding to pay a half-million dollars for a single bottle. What develops is nothing less than a battle for the good life, a clash between old and new, the struggle for the soul of one of America’s last bits of paradise. A dishy glimpse behind the scenes of a West Coast wonderland, A Tale of Two Valleys makes for intoxicating reading.

The essential source for in-depth travel and relocation information to Napa and Sonoma Counties. Written by a local (and true insider), Insiders' Guide to California's Wine Country offers personal guidance to two major wine regions and their environs. Fully revised and updated, this guide contains five maps of the wine country.

Describes accommodations, restaurants, and wineries in the region, provides tips on planning tours and drives, and discusses the art of winemaking.

Tour the vineyards big and small, explore the wineries, taste what they have to offer. The best are described here and almost all are shown in photos. Hundreds of places to stay and eat, things to do and see are detailed, with photos of most. For couples of all ages and lifestyles, this guide has something to suit every taste and budget. Quaint inns & delightful restaurants are included for their high romantic appeal - not their high price tag. Take a lazy cruise with your loved one. Discover the nightclubs and party spots. Or spend the weekend in a charming B & B. From fine dining to theme parks, historic sites to wineries -- it's all here.

Fodor's choice ratings you can trust. Exceptional restaurants, hotels, and sights selected to help you make the best choices. Simple Pleasures. Embrace the local scene as you sip your way through tasting rooms in Napa, Sonoma, and the Carneros District. Soak up the gorgeous scenery on a picnic or a hike. Boundless activities. Find options for every traveler, from cycling and hot-air ballooning to hitting the shops and spas Local Experts Fodor's worldwide team of 700 writers reveal their favorite haunts to enrich your travel experience. Freshest Facts You won't find a more up-to-date guide to the region. Our writers seek out hot spots while verifying that current listings still meet our high standards. Travelers Like You Get candid advice from fellow travelers at Fodors.com, and read their "Word of Mouth" tips throughout this book.

Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for 80 years. One of the country's most idyllic getaways, Napa and Sonoma charm visitors with superb wineries and wine, trendy restaurants and intimate resorts, and pampering spas. Time may seem to stand still in the iconic California countryside with its rows of leafy vines, but the luxury and sophistication here are thoroughly modern. This travel guide includes: · Dozens of full-color maps · Hundreds of hotel and restaurant recommendations, with Fodor's Choice designating our top picks · Multiple itineraries to explore the top attractions and what’s off the beaten path · Coverage of Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, Northern Sonoma, Russian River, and West County Planning to visit more of California? Check our Fodor's state-wide travel guide to California and also Fodor's San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego guides.