Hopland: An Epic Tale of Vineyards, Wine, and Love

HOPLAND: An Epic Tale of Vineyards, Wine, and Love, is a story that takes place close to Hopland, California in Mendocino's Wine Country near Napa and Sonoma Counties in the mid-sixties. The story is about a fourth generation family that planted the vines, cared for them, fought the frost, rain and droughts to produce the best wine grapes. Molly Anderson who owns the Vineyard falls in love with a New York City real estate developer, who conceals his intention to force her Vineyard into foreclosure, so that residential estate properties can be built among the grape vines in Mendocino.

The book is rich in Northern California wine history and culture and the growing of the grape. The story also takes the reader to San Francisco and New York, and looks at the world of real estate development and well known restaurants that provide an interesting contrast to living on a Vineyard. But the story explores the Vineyard experience. As Molly says, "I've spent my whole life here. My dad once told me to let the wind comb my hair, let the sun color my cheeks, and let the rain cleanse my soul, and I will always be beautiful by the light of the moon."

Gus, Molly's father, loved the Vineyard and constantly talked to Molly about the richness of the life surrounding the grape. "Corn is corn," he would say, "But the grape; now you've got something, something that glows when you hold it up to the light; something that tastes like the field it comes from, something proud. Our life's work is growing better-and-better grapes and learning all the tricks of pruning and harvest and working with the weather, so the wineries will pay top dollar."

Author: Ronald a. McKenzie, Donald E. McKenzie
Publisher: D.E.M. Publishing
Published: 09/12/2017
Pages: 420
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.07lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.86d
ISBN: 9780692910054

About the Author
McKenzie, Donald E.: - "PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND - The late Donald E. McKenzie grew up in Mendocino County near Hopland, where the story takes place. He graduated from Foothill College, Los Altos, California with an Associate of Arts degree, and Humboldt State University, Arcata, California with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater, followed by a Masters of Arts in Theater. He worked KGO Television in San Francisco cutting the news stories; most notably the Patty Hearst saga and the videos he cut hit the major ABC News Outlets and affiliate stations across the United States. Soon he moved to Pasadena, and then Venice Beach, where he was a general crewmember on Motion Pictures in Hollywood, 1st & 2nd Assistant Director and worked as a news editor at various stations. He then landed a job as Senior Video Editor of Entertainment Tonight, Paramount Studios, Hollywood, California starting with the shows premier in 1981. He worked with Dixie Whatley, Mary Hart and Leonard Maltin, and others and spent over four years on the show. During this period, he was studying Japanese under the guidance of Saho Lucas. Don then relocated to Japan where he became fairly fluent in Japanese. He traveled frequently to Hong Kong working as freelance Film/Video Writer/Director/Editor in Hong Kong and Tokyo, Japan. Later in life, Don was Owner and Operator of Lincoln City Books and Newport Books on the Oregon Coast in Newport and Lincoln City."McKenzie, Ronald a.: - "PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND - Architect, Author, and Advisor. Ron is president of COMPASS Consultants Corporation, a national strategic planning, and marketing company helping architects, design/builders, contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, and engineers develop a competitive advantage. Ron grew up in Mendocino County near Hopland, where the story takes place. He attended Foothill College, Los Altos, California obtaining an Associate of Arts degree, and then he attended California Polytechnic State University obtaining a five-year Bachelor of Architecture Degree. He became a licensed California architect in 1978 and holds a current NCARB Certificate. He resides in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife Pamela where he is a full-time writer and business planning consultant."