We are often asked what books and other references we recommend as a starter into the farming and winemaking ethos of Bedrock Wine Co. Over the past few years, particularly before harvest interns start, we send out a list of the books that we find most influential for us.
These books cover a range of topics and though some are very germane to Bedrock and wine, others provide great insight into broader topics that provide context for the world we operate in, be it the tension of agriculture and water use or books that bring to life the fundamental principles of our farming. We have collated these works below based roughly on topic.
Wine:
Angels Visits/Zinfandel by David Darlington: Though dating back to 1991 this is easily the best book focused on Zinfandel. It looks at both the history of the grape but provides an easy-reading and detailed look into the grape via the lens of extensive interviews with legends like Paul Draper and imbedding for a harvest at Joel Peterson’s (yes, Morgan’s father) Ravenswood Winery. The book also provides a few great quotes regarding Morgan as a precocious kid- at one point David notes “Morgan, at the age of five, could distinguish between Merlot and Zinfandel.”
Winemaking/Enology:
Making Good Wine by Bryce Rankine: This book threads the needle between readability by someone with little scientific background while also providing solid winemaking know-how. Need a good description of the molecular disassociation curve (aka, why sulfur is 10x more potent at pH 3.0 than 4.0) along with great summaries of how to make and stabilize all types of wine? This is a great place to start.
The Science of Wine by Dr. Jamie Goode: This book provides a very readable entry into the more scientific side of winemaking, viticulture and human interaction with wine. Dr. Goode is a great writer and makes complex topics accessible and exciting.
California Water:
The Dreamt Land by Mark Arax: Truly one of the most beautifully written books we have read. Originally from the Central Valley he both writes with compassion but also brutal honesty about the way water resources have been utilized by state agriculture. It includes a beautiful historic backdrop to contemporary issues that frames up how many of the challenges we face today to the Gold Rush. Water policy meets John McPhee.
Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner: Though this dates all the way to 1986 it is as prescient now as then. Broader in scope than The Dreamt Land it looks at the way water and water politics have shaped the arid, western landscape of the United States.
Farming:
There are remarkably few books on viticulture that really outline the principles that define Bedrock Wine Co. farming philosophy (note to self, write book). However, these are the books that have been the most influential in our learning process.
Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown: Gabe is one of the fathers of the modern regenerative movement and this books tracks his journey from being a conventional farmer to working with fully integrated systems that minimize soil disturbance and integrate animals. He also has several seminars available you youtube, including a TED talk, that introduces the principles slightly more quickly.
A Bold Return to Giving a Damn by Will Harris: Similar to Gabe Brown’s book this tells the journey of Will Harris moving White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, GE from a highly conventional feedlot operation to a fully integrated farm that now drives the entire economy of a previously impoverished part of Georgia.
For the Love of Soil by Nicole Masters: A bit more of a geek out, Nicole Masters brings an Australian perspective to soil health and regeneration.
Call of the Reed Warbler by Charles Massy: One of the most beautiful books about Australian agriculture.
Growing a Revolution by David Montgomery and Anne Biklé: All of David and Anne’s books are highly recommended. Both scientists they write in a non-academic manner and cover all facets of food production. They do a really nice job of laying out regen principles and why they are important to both environmental and human health.
Agroecology by Miguel Altieri: Miguel invented the term agroecology and this is the first book to really dive into what scientifically driven, integrated farming systems can look like. Definitely more academic but worthwhile if you want to take the deep dive.
One Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka: The OG of the regen movement in many ways.
Intersection of Farming and Nutrition:
What Your Food Ate by David Montgomery and Anne Biklé: This fascinating work looks closely at the way food is grown and the resulting nutrient density ramifications. Basically, we have gotten really good at growing calories while erasing a lot of nutrient density from the actual food we eat. This is linked to the uptick in chronic diseases, obesity, diabetes, etc. we see across the U.S. currently.