Napa Valley: The Land, The Wine, The People [Hardcover]

Charles O'Rear (Photographer), Daphne Larkin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 20, 2011

More than 30 years ago, National Geographic photographer Charles O'Rear came to the Napa Valley to cover a wine region few knew about. It was a pivotal moment for the valley as well as for O'Rear: his magazine article helped launch national awareness of America's blossoming wine region and the photographer found a place to call home. Since then his work has taken him across the globe many times over, but he has always been happy to return to this special place. With this book, his third on Napa Valley, O'Rear creates a treasured collector's item and establishes his legacy as the master photographer of the legendary wine region. He simply has no peers.

This 9 inch by 12 inch book showcases O'Rear's love of the Napa Valley through classically beautiful photographs that are iconic and singularly his. In his artful and compelling images, the place comes alive as he takes us on a journey into a Garden of Eden where we feast with all of our senses. We see people working the vineyards, creating memorable wines and living a life tied to the land. We admire awe-inspiring vistas, diverse winery architecture and world famous restaurants that make Napa Valley a national destination for food and wine. We are enthralled with the spectacular and comprehensive collection of art on the bottles of 350 wine capsules representing nearly every winery in the valley. We chuckle over the whimsical vanity license plates that broadcast we are in America's premier winegrowing region. With more than three decades documenting Napa Valley, O'Rear knows the place better than any other photographer on earth. In this book, his wife, writer Daphne Larkin, partners again with him. O'Rear's spectacular images and Larkin's illuminating text create a treasured collector's item to be enjoyed for years.

I've seen hundreds of photo books and this is the best I've ever seen! --W. E. (Bill) Garrett, former editor-in-chief, National Geographic magazine.

Napa Valley. . . is the coffee table book to have. -- Narsai David, KCBS Food and Wine Editor.

Chuck's incredible eye and perspective, and Daphne's artful prose capture the essence of the Napa Valley experience and community Clay Gregory, President & CEO of Napa Valley Destination Council.

His artistic eye has always captivated people who know excellence. -- Margrit Mondavi, Robert Mondavi Winery.

Charles O'Rear's breathtaking photographs feel very personal. They inspire; they are sentimental. -- Chef Thomas Keller, The French Laundry.

O'Rear makes one of the most beautiful places in America seem even more beautiful that it is. --Chicago Tribune

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

CHARLES O'REAR and DAPHNE LARKIN combined their talents to produce this elegant coffee table book. A photographer known for his books on wine and wine regions around the world, CHARLES O'REAR is recognized as one of the world's leading photographers. His wine books are: Beringer Vineyards (2009); Wine Across America (2007); Wine Places (2005); Beautiful Wineries (2005); Napa Valley: The Land, The Wine, The People (2001); Chardonnay (1999); Cabernet (1998); Fodor's Wine Country (1997); and Napa Valley (1990). He photographed for National Geographic magazine for 25 years, producing two dozen articles from around the U.S. and the world. O'Rear began photographing wine country when the magazine sent him to cover Napa Valley in 1978 for an article. Today he owns the largest collection of wine photos in the United States. Many of his photos are archived on the Corbis Collection and have appeared in thousands of publications, movies and on television. His most famous photograph is the Bliss photo, the rolling green hills default Microsoft screen saver on a billion computers worldwide.

DAPHNE LARKIN is an award-winning journalist who specializes in the wine industry. Partnering with her husband Charles O'Rear, she wrote, edited and co-produced several wine books, most recently Wine Across America and Beringer. She is a former United Nations journalist, reporter for Newsweek International, television news writer, contributing editor to Parenting magazine and senior vice president of corporate communications for a Fortune 500 company. In 1995, she won the Distinguished Service to Journalism Alumni Award from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism for pioneering the story of children in America with disabilities. Charles and Daphne make their home in Napa Valley on a country lane surrounded by vineyards and views of the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountains.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wineviews Publishing (June 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962522708
• ISBN-13: 978-0962522703
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #478,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Napa Valley The Land, The wine, The people October 15, 2011

By BT

Format:Hardcover

Napa Valley The Land, The wine, The people is a terrific book that depicts such a cross section of wonderful photos in all seasons from bud break to harvest. From pickers to coopers to barrel rooms the book captures the spirit of Napa Valley. I particularly like the spread of license plates with a little Napa humor thrown in-very clever. This book is a marvelous look at the Napa Valley and there is no doubt Chuck O'rear spent numerous hours waiting for just the right moment to capture some of the early morning and late evening vistas of the Valley. They are absolutely stunning. The book is a great pictorial treasure for anyone visiting Napa Valley.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another collector's book on wine. June 22, 2011

By Jim W. Vestal

Format:Hardcover

Chuck O'Rear and his wife Daphne have done it again. The former National Geographic photographer has brought his decades of photographic
excellence to the pages of his new book. I should know, I have most of his in my bookcase, so I can compare them in a few minutes. No
need to turn on the computer and rifle over internet pages just to get a brief look at the fine pictures during the four seasons he has taken that records the
visual wine history of the Napa Valley - a world class destination for all to enjoy. A table top book must.

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo to chuck and Daphne January 23, 2012

By Whitney J. Leblanc

Format:Hardcover

Bravo to Chuck and Daphne. You've done it again. Napa Valley, The Land, The Wine, The People is a marvelous coffee table book. And yet it is much more than that. It is History. It is Pictorial Journalism at its best. The wonderful photography of Charles O'Rear is equally matched by the compelling narratives of Daphne Larkin. It is difficult to put down. Once it is opened there is a magical compulsion to turn to the next page to see what new and delightful creation Chuck's camera has conjured up. The subject matter headings give a clear, concise and detailed monologue of what it is like to be there and experience life in the Napa Valley. One gets to know the pioneers, the fruit, the product and how they are all combined to ferment this tasty beverage. Since it is difficult to put down, pour a glass of wine and linger as you turn each page---it is a journey that will bring joy, pleasure and the feeling of being there. Get the book and see for yourself. And after that you will be induced to take the Photographic Road Trip of Wine Across America.

Whitney J. LeBlanc - Author; Blues in the Wind, Shadows of the Blues, Bodacious Blues