Endorsements
“I am fortunate to say that I have lived in this beautiful and uniquely gifted valley my entire life. My grandfather Cesare recognized the great potential of this area and brought us here over 100 years ago. My father Robert helped take us and California wine to the stars. I am a third generation winegrower with children working in our Continuum, and our fifth generation is now on the scene. We have seen many changes in our industry and our valley. Over this century, as Richard has written, California wine has gone from being “demon to darling. Few people have contributed to its positive evolution in recent decades more actively than Richard Mendelson.
The Agricultural Preserve, established in 1968, and its more recent enhancements are fundamental to the protection of our valley. Also, I am proud to say that Richard and I worked to establish the appellation system in Napa Valley. He has gone on to lead the charge in its protection. Richard has always been at the center of the good fight to enhance the quality of life and the health and quality of our valley that both nourish and inspire us. In Common Ground, Richard elucidates the never-ending challenges that arise with time and change and success. He explores the ongoing pressures and offers possible solutions to these controversial and important issues. In truth, these same ideas pertain to any unique, beautiful area worth protecting. Common Ground is an enjoyable and thought provoking read from a fellow often at the center of this good fight.”
- Tim Mondavi, owner, Continuum Estate
“I have lived and worked in the Napa Valley since 2975, and my family and I care deeply about our community and its future. Author and lawyer Richard Mendelson grapples with this future, laying out the challenges we face in a clear, compelling way. He offers his unique wisdom about how to safeguard the national treasure that we have worked so hard to build.”
- Francis Ford Coppola, owner, Inglenook
“An essential read for anyone who wats to understand the role of Napa Valley today, as well as the challenges that lie ahead as the region balances maintaining exceptionally high standards of quality while also dealing with the often conflicting forces of growth and the preservation of what is one of the most pristine viticultural landscapes in the world.”
- Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“Richard Mendelson has written a remarkable book on the past, present, and future of the beautiful Napa Valley. It was a great pleasure to discuss with him the evolution and the challenges facing our major winegrowing regions in America and France. I was particularly impressed by his thesis that we must anticipate, through joint reflections, the future of our vineyards and the development of our winegrowing region, taking into account the terroir and the urgent demands that face us today: the environment, climate change, respect for biodiversity, and urban development.”
- Jacques Fanet, former Deputy General of the French Institut National des Appellations d’Origine, author of Great Wine Terroirs
