NAPA

The owners, the grapes, the workers, and the fermentation process came together in the Napa Valley near San Francisco, giving birth to one of California's biggest industries—wine. The first farmers faced root parasites, 13 years of legal prohibition, and slow product acceptance. But in spite of all the setbacks, many prominent vineyards were created, which rose in quality to gain world fame. Narrator John Morgan remains animated and engaged. He doesn't create character voices, but listeners will find scant need for them to identify the sources of quotes. His pace suits the enjoyable stories of locals struggling to survive and migrant laborers seeking a better life. The Spanish, French, and Italian vocabulary of enology taxes him a little but doesn’t spoil his excellent performance. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2010]