The subtitle of Seasons Among the Vines by Paula Moulton is "Life Lessons from the California Wine Country," and this memoir is as much about personal growth as about winemaking.

Moulton left her career in the city to run a small California vineyard. Her book is full of interesting anecdotes about shifting her farm from traditional farming to organic farming, the business side of wine, being a woman in a male-dominated career field, and creating a new life after the death of her husband.

As an oenephile and an organic gardener myself, what I found most interesting about the book were the boxed areas outside the narrative of the memoir. These contain a wealth of information about composting, soil improvement, watering, vine anatomy, buying grapevines, which varietals grow best in which regions, diseases that affect vines, etc.

I really don't think my region is suited to grape-growing, but for those in more hospitable regions who think it might be a fun hobby to grow grapes and make their own wine, this book would be invaluable. It's also just an interesting read, especially enjoyed with a glass of wine!