Shafer
Vineyards is pleased to offer a book by John Shafer, winery chairman, recounting highlights of his family’s life
in Napa Valley from 1972 to the present.
“In some ways it’s a rather personal story, revealing some behind-the-scenes
anecdotes of our family,” says
Shafer. “On the other hand, a great number of people have lent us their enormous talents – such as Elias Fernandez,
Mary Kay Schatz, and Alfonso Zamora-Ortiz – and this is their story too.”
From the Ground Up was produced as part of Shafer celebration of 25 years of winemaking. The book is a hardbound
volume of 76 pages and includes illustrations by Kevin Sprouls, recognized for his pen-and-ink illustrations in the
Wall St. Journal.
John Shafer left a successful publishing career based in Chicago to pursue a dream of growing grapes
and making wine. The family purchased Napa Valley hillside vineyard property in 1972 and moved out from Chicago shortly
afterward. Doug Shafer, who is winery president, was just 17 at the time. The family christened their winery in 1979.
Today
Shafer Vineyards is managed by father and son team John and Doug Shafer. They cultivate 200 acres of vineyards and
produce 34,000 cases of wine each year. In 2005 Robert M. Parker, Jr., called Shafer Vineyards, “one of the world’s
greatest wineries.”
From the Ground Up sells for $10.95.
