Tasting the Good Life: Wine Tourism in the Napa Valley

by George Gmelch, Sharon Bohn Gmelch

Overview

While anthropologists often have been accused of failing to "study up," this book turns an anthropological lens on an elite activity – wine tasting. Five million people a year, from the US and abroad, travel to California's Napa Valley to experience the "good life": to taste fine wines, eat fine food, and immerse themselves in other sophisticated pleasures while surrounded by bucolic beauty.

Written in a highly readable style by anthropologists George and Sharon Gmelch, Tasting the Good Life examines who wine tourists are and what the "tasting" experience is all about. It also examines the growth of wine tourism in the valley and the impact it is having on the landscape and the lives of the people who live there. In addition to the authors' own analysis, they present the personal narratives of 17 people who work in Napa tourism — from winemaker to vineyard manager, from celebrity chef to wait staff, from hot air balloonist to masseuse. Their stories provide unexpected and entertaining insights into this new form of tourism, the people who engage in it, its impact on a now iconic place, and American consumer culture in the 21st century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253223272
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	06/16/2011
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

George Gmelch is Professor of Anthropology at the University of San Francisco and Union College. He is author of 11 books and numerous articles, many of which have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Psychology Today, Society, and Natural History.

Sharon Bohn Gmelch is Professor of Anthropology at the University of San Francisco and Roger Thayer Stone Professor of Anthropology atUnion College. She is author of 7 books, including Nan: The Life of an Irish Travelling Woman, The Tlingit Encounter with Photography, and Tourists and Tourism.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Tasting the Good Life
1. The Napa Valley—a Brief History
2. The Tourism of Taste
3. Consuming Place: Napa's Culinary Terroir
4. From Vine to Wine
Vineyard Foreman: Juan Martinez
Vineyard Manager: Jim Lincoln
Winemaker: Pam Starr
5. Touring and Tasting
Wine Educator: Ellen Flora
Tasting Room Consultant: Craig Root
Tasting Room Server: Jim McCullough
Salonnier: Shawn LaRue
Wine Tour Guide: Don Partier
6. Food and Fine Dining
The French Laundry: Thomas Keller
The Front of the House: Salvador Aguilara and Josefina Gonzales
Napa Valley Cooking School: Barbara Alexander
From Back to Front of the House: Edgar Bonilla
7. Napa's Other Pleasures
Wine Train: Melodie Hilton
Massage: Claude Smith
Hot Air Ballooning: Joyce Bowen
Bike Tours: Brad Dropping
Art Gallery: Paul Thoren
8. Tourism, Quality of Life, and the Future of Napa
Acknowledgments
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Johns Hopkins University - Susan Jakab

I just finished it, and am recommending it to all our friends who are interested in wine. It's a wonderful book—I learned a lot. It has everything: an interesting subject, broadly treated; good design and good editing; a sense of humor; smoothly written oral histories by pros. And, best of all, the Gmelches have written a book with intellectual heft that's accessible to the general reader.

Universityof California, Berkeley - Nelson Graburn

This ethnography is a winner. Written by Napa Valley insiders George and Sharon Gmelch, it reveals both sides of the renowned wine tourism industry, paying attention to the visitors and to the voices of key local people. Tourism scholars and wine and food tourists alike will find it enlightening.

CEO, The Napa Valley Destination Council - Clay Gregory

I applaud the Gmelchs' even-handed and thorough approach to tackling this complex topic. . . . Tasting the Good Life does an excellent job of identifying not only the economic benefits of well-planned tourism development and defined constraint in a genuine American icon such as the Napa Valley, but it also explains clearly the benefits that are received by the residents who shape the character of this special place. Well done!

retired CEO, St. Supery Winery - Michaela Rodeno

Because of its natural beauty, temperate climate, and fine wines, Napa Valley is a major attraction for visitors. . . . This book offers a look at how wine tourism in Napa Valley developed, how it affects the local population, and what the future might hold. It is a fascinating read.

Editorial Reviews

"This ethnography is a winner. Written by Napa Valley insiders George and Sharon Gmelch, it reveals both sides of the renowned wine tourism industry, paying attention to the visitors and to the voices of key local people. Tourism scholars and wine and food tourists alike will find it enlightening."—Nelson Graburn, University of California, Berkeley

"Because of its natural beauty, temperate climate, and fine wines, Napa Valley is a major attraction for visitors. . . . This book offers a look at how wine tourism in Napa Valley developed, how it affects the local population, and what the future might hold. It is a fascinating read."—Michaela Rodeno, retired CEO, St. Supery Winery

"I just finished it, and am recommending it to all our friends who are interested in wine. It's a wonderful book—I learned a lot. It has everything: an interesting subject, broadly treated; good design and good editing; a sense of humor; smoothly written oral histories by pros. And, best of all, the Gmelches have written a book with intellectual heft that's accessible to the general reader."—Susan Jakab, retired editor, Johns Hopkins University

"I applaud the Gmelchs' even-handed and thorough approach to tackling this complex topic. . . . Tasting the Good Life does an excellent job of identifying not only the economic benefits of well-planned tourism development and defined constraint in a genuine American icon such as the Napa Valley, but it also explains clearly the benefits that are received by the residents who shape the character of this special place. Well done!"—Clay Gregory, CEO, The Napa Valley Destination Council

"Even-handed and thorough....Well done!"—Clay Gregory, CEO, The Napa Valley Destination Council

"Opens a new chapter on California's celebrated Napa Valley...presenting both the economic benefits to, and the negative social impacts on, those who live and work in 'Eden'."—Rue Ziegler, California Heritage Research Group

"Tasting the Good Life is an interesting and readable consideration of what tourists are doing to us—and what we think of ourselves. October 6, 2011"—Napa Valley Register

"Tasting the Good Life is a fine study of wine and what it offers people, highly recommended. August 2011"—Midwest Book Review

"An excellent book for all tourists, winery managers, and city or region planners.August, 2011"—Winesworld's Magazine

From the Publisher

Opens a new chapter on California's celebrated Napa Valley...presenting both the economic benefits to, and the negative social impacts on, those who live and work in 'Eden'.

California Heritage Research Group - Rue Ziegler

Tasting the Good Life is a fine study of wine and what it offers people, highly recommended. August 2011

Midwest Book Review

Tasting the Good Life is an interesting and readable consideration of what tourists are doing to us—and what we think of ourselves. October 6, 2011

Napa Valley Register

Even-handed and thorough....Well done!

CEO, The Napa Valley Destination Council - Clay Gregory

An excellent book for all tourists, winery managers, and city or region planners.August, 2011

Winesworld's Magazine

"Because of its natural beauty, temperate climate, and fine wines, Napa Valley is a major attraction for visitors.... This book offers a look at how wine tourism in Napa Valley developed, how it affects the local population, and what the future might hold. It is a fascinating read." —Michaela Rodeno, retired CEO, St. Supery Winery

Michaela Rodeno

"This ethnography is a winner. Written by Napa Valley insiders George and Sharon Gmelch, it reveals both sides of the renowned wine tourism industry, paying attention to the visitors and to the voices of key local people. Tourism scholars and wine and food tourists alike will find it enlightening." —Nelson Graburn, University of California, Berkeley

Nelson Graburn

"I just finished it, and am recommending it to all our friends who are interested in wine. It's a wonderful book—I learned a lot. It has everything: an interesting subject, broadly treated; good design and good editing; a sense of humor; smoothly written oral histories by pros. And, best of all, the Gmelches have written a book with intellectual heft that's accessible to the general reader." —Susan Jakab, retired editor, Johns Hopkins University

Susan Jakab