In this intimate and uproarious story, two daring New Yorkers convert an ancient, abandoned farm into a world-renowned winery. Finding your dream house with a vineyard in Tuscany is like searching the woods for porcini mushrooms: a labor of love. Such feats require patience, discernment, resolve, and an indestructible sense of humor. The Mátés' future home and wine estate lies amid breathtaking scenery in a community brimming with warmth. In Italy's most prestigious wine zone, Montalcino, they restore a thirteenth-century friary nestled on two hills within sixty acres of forest, olives, and potential vineyards. Here they plant fifteen acres of vines, build the winery, and learn from their famous vintner neighbors, like Angelo Gaja, the secrets of how to grow the best grapes and make superb wines. Within the first years, the Máté wines receive international acclaim. This highly entertaining tale of how two dreamers struggle and thrive in idyllic Tuscany will enrich the lives of travelers and wine lovers alike.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
In vino veritas:
In wine there is truth, or at least in this case, wisdom and a beautifully written book. I have been a fan of Mr. Mate's writing for many years and this book does not disappoint. Written in a similar style to The Hills of Tuscany, Mr. Mate brings the reader along on his quest to restore a dilapidated friary and establish a vineyard of his own. Equal parts insight, humor (the tractor driving experiment) and adventure; Mr. Mate has once again blended a perfect read.
PARADISE REGAINED:
I read the "criticisms" on this board and do not share them. This was not intended as a treatise on vine growing and wine making but a deeply personal account of one family's quest for achieving a dream -- told with wonderful writing style, transporting the reader into the magical and unique world of discovery, illumination, and appreciation of one of God's gifts -- Tuscany. Try to imagine yourself getting "tips" from Gaja; rubbing elbows in the rich soil of this region with the Conterno's and Banfi's;... more info
Depends on your expectation:
Based on the other reviews, I had high hopes for this book; I expected a more thorough story of his experience starting his own vineyard, people he had interacted with and the "terrior" of his vineyard embedded with light-hearted anecdotes. Instead, I found the details lacking. Little time is spent on the characters who appeared in the book, the restoration of the estate, planting and cultivating of the vineyard, wine-making decisions, and his (and his family's) tie to the place. The fact that this book is... more info
A Vinyard in Tuscany:
A Vinyard in Tuscany by Ferenc Mate is the second in a series on life in Tuscany. In a genre loosely known as expats move to Tuscany, Mate is truly in a class by himself. If Frances Mayes is the standard ,then Ferenc Mate far excells her in poetry , lyrical description , humor and sensitivity. If after reading this book, you don't want his life then you better check your pulse. A love song to Tuscany and the art of wine, makes Frances Mayes akin to watching paint dry. Read The Hills of Tuscany as well which... more info
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