I've been toying with the idea of writing a book about Long Island wine for some time. But, between buying a house a couple years back, having a baby, etc. I just haven't had the time.
Okay, who am I kidding? I could have made it a priority, but just didn't.
But, as I look around at the region, there is a dire need for a tome that gives Long Island wine country its due. One that touches on the history, focuses on the present and looks to the future. A book that talks about what makes Long Island unique -- the location, the soil, the water, the weather, the people -- and its place in the larger world of wine.
This is the sort of book that I'd love to read about Long Island wine. And, since one doesn't exist, I guess I'm just going to have to write it myself.
I'm still early on in the whole process -- working on an initial outline. But, it's fun, exciting and scary to think about this. When will I finish it? Who will publish it? Who will buy it? I don't know yet, but it's time that I make it a priority.
Why the image of a Macbook with a red case? Because that's what I do my writing on, and it's about to become attached to my fingertips I think. Even more so than it is now.
In the meantime, what are some of the things you like best in a wine book? What topics would you like to see in the book? Email me and let me know.
I don't want this to be another boring "Long Island wine was founded in 1973...similar to Bordeaux...merlot is king" book. This isn't about marketing or blindly promoting the region. I'm not a rah rah guy. It's about the region's reality, the region's current state, and the region's potential.
Maybe by proclaiming my intentions here, it'll be more likely that I'll follow through. Maybe.
Lenn, certainly it is the people who make LI wine country what it is. Perhaps a simple "What, in your experience, is the single best thing about the wines of Long Island?" question will generate a broad range of insights as well as trigger new questions - the answers to which could make your book not only unique, but a compelling read. Perhaps I'll have more thoughts on this later. Best of luck, Mr. New Author!
Posted by: winehiker | January 11, 2008 at 04:00 PM
A real nice jacket photo of the author is always required for a successful book. Ask anybody.
Good luck! It's all about the self-discipline!
Posted by: Bradley | January 11, 2008 at 04:26 PM
Sounds like an intriguing project, challenging to make it better and different than what's out there already, pulling everything together, making it readable, not too dry, not too fruity, nuanced, and colorful.
Posted by: Nan Patience | January 11, 2008 at 05:09 PM
Do it! Do it! Do it! I'm on my fourth year of working on my novel . . . in the course of which I've a) worked full time, b) gotten an MBA and c) adopted a daughter (who is literally hanging off of my shirt as I type this). So I totally hear you on the priorities front. It's not easy at all--oh my Lord it's not easy--but you ARE the guy to write this book, and I think you should do it. The advice that I keep getting from agents and authors who have gone before me is "take your time." So I pass that advice on to you and add, "but just do it." :-)
Posted by: swirlingnotions | January 11, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Lenn, go for it. I met Eric Fry (winemaker at Lenz Winery) this afternoon and for about four hours he filled my brain with winemaking knowledge. My head is still spinning and no it's not from tasting 10+ wines at the winery here in Mass. I had already heard a lot about Eric and I honestly believe that Long Island is fortunate to have someone like him. So.... in your book I would love to read about Eric and other winemakers who play a role in distinguishing Long Island as a unique wine growing region. That's my suggestion for today.
Posted by: Marco Montez | January 11, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Lenn,
This definitely needs to be done. Here are some suggestions off the top of my head.
1. Come to the wine writers symposium. The contacts you'll make alone are worth the cost, and the knowledge you can gain about how this process works will be priceless.
2. Look at all the other such guides to certain areas. Pick up Gregutt's recently published book on Washington wines. I think that's a good model -- a combination of a history as well as a guidebook is a nice angle -- both scholarly reference, but also practical.
3. Get someone to do good photos of the properties and good maps of the area that can actually be used by readers wanting to find these wineries.
That's all for now. Go for it !!
Posted by: Alder Yarrow | January 12, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Lenn,
I agree that this needs to be done, and who better than you?
You've already got lots of material in your blog, stories, contacts and context. Plus, you've already found your "voice" (sorry Hillary!), and your audience obviously responds.
Since it's such a small wine region, it seems to me your book can encompass it all: A short history, geography, geology / terroir, the personalities / owners / winemakers, varietals, winemaking styles, results, etc. Visually, I would want to see detailed maps, photographs of the vineyards, wineries and people, and suggested excurions.
Get going and see where it takes you!
Posted by: Mark | January 12, 2008 at 04:55 PM