Into The Earth, a Wine Cave Renaissance
Author Daniel D'Agostini with Molly
Chappellet
A review by Eva Dunn
 An intriguing pictorial and written
tale that brilliantly illus-trates the history, charm and
eco-conscious qualities of Cali-fornia wine caves, Into the Earth
"is one man’s exhilarating journey into subterranean California, the
birthplace of wine caves in the Americas. The hardcover book
features a foreword by world-renowned wine expert Hugh Johnson and
includes stories and images of never-before-photographed caves like
Sloan Estate, exclusive underground sanctuaries like Far Niente
and Schramsberg. The first documentary of its kind, Into the
Earth celebrates the history and future of caves for making,
aging and storing wine as well as entertaining".
http://
Panache.com
Mesmerizing to read, Daniel D'Agostini's book
captivates
 not only through the history of wine
caves, the earliest about 800 BC by the Romans, but as it touches
on the obscure facts of the troglodyte caverns in Loire, and the
Chinese-cut Schramsberg caves deep in the earth, a "marriage of
talent, wine and holes". That boring machine later arrived in
California to create the most extensive and spectacular caves ever
made for perfecting wine. During the late 1800's a dozen caves were
created in the Napa Valley by Chinese miners. Then nothing until
1981 at Far Niente Winery. Since then, a renaissance of wine caves
has occurred and about 150 caves have been created. Romantic? Yes,
indeed. Cave cutting is astonishing from the simple to the
elaborate. Who doesn't love caves, hidden from sound and light,
exciting, curious dark places deep within the earth.
Photo: Wine cellar
Caves have had many functions, from homes to
ceremonial rooms, or art galleries. The author tells us that
ancient caves are found all over the world including Antarctica,
Africa, and Texas. During the American Civil War, bat guano from
the Frio Cave in Texas was used as the chief ingredient of
gunpowder. More caves are being mined now as caves are rediscovered
as remarkable insulators from heat, cold, drying air and
light--perfect for wine cellars. They are dramatic settings for
celebrations, elegant dinners, special events and impressive
wedding backdrops.
 Beautiful rooms, graceful yet dynamic arches and
soft, warm lighting transform the bowels of the earth into amazing
rooms where not only is fine wine stored at perfect temperatures,
but where wine lovers and aficionados can gather and enjoy wines in
a singular environment. By 1998 more than new wine caves had been
created and D'Agostini has photographed over 85 of them to date.
Wine caves are economical and environmentally responsible. Picture
acres of vine-yards growing directly above the wine cave tunnels
that store their wine without high energy requirements.
Photo: The O'Shaughnessy wine cave, Angwin, CA
 The author began his path of
discovery filming these wine caves, dark and wonderful spaces using
only a sturdy tripod and a camera that records existing light
without added flash. The photos are beautiful, a visual pleasure of
color and form in cavernous rooms, and the yen to visit one is very
strong. This beautiful book opens a door to learning what happened
from the first modern wine caves to those created just last year in
2009. From Pine Ridge Vineyards, Ironstone Vineyards, Keller
Estate, to Nordby Wine Caves and Bella Vineyards, the story is
fascinating, the photos magnificent, capturing the myth, strength,
beauty and magic of wine caves.
Photo:
Daniel D'Agostini by Quince, author's son, courtesy to the Gold Country
Times
This is a lovely book with its fantastic
photographs, a great historical read about wine caves, and a salute
to the genius of man in creating cave rooms and tunnels for wine
storage, designed to stand for centuries, and a viable victory in
the Green trend. Into the Earth positions caves as
functional, beautiful, sustainable creations. You will learn the
inspiration behind each cave and the process as it was created.
Functional creations, they may become the most energy efficient
spaces available for human habitation. Underground living could
even be in our future.
Appealing to all, but especially wine
connoisseurs, design aficionados, travel enthusiasts, history buffs
and photographers, the caves presented in Into The Earth
will engage and inspire you. A large portion of Daniel D'Agostini's
portfolio focuses on wine caves and the wine industry of
California, particularly in the counties of Amador, Calaveras, El
Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino. Daniel
participated in the annual Amador County "Behind the Cellar Door"
extravaganza in March, signing books at Sobon Estate which sits on
the property that the D’Agostini family once owned.
His limited-edition color and black-and-white
prints are noted for their delicacy and sensitivity. His
photographic work has been published in a variety of printed media
including The Romance of the California Vineyards. Into
the Earth: A Wine Cave Renaissance, can be ordered at
www.dagostini.com
Daniel says you can also find his book at the following locations:
Well Read Books up near Safeway on Sutter Hill off Hwy 49 has a
nice display; Lizzy Anns on Main street in Sutter Creek, Ironstone
Vineyards, Murphys, in their gift store/tasting room; Dillian
Winery on Steiner Road in the Shenandoah Valley; and of course,
Sobon Estate. He can be contacted for a personalized, signed copy.
All the major online bookstores also feature this spectacular book.
This book is a treasure, a keepsake, one you will own with pride.
Daniel conceived of the book, the title, and did the photography as
well as the writing- the cover image he shot at Jarvis Winery in
Napa and it was his choice for the commercial cover. Daniel resides
in the Sierra foothills of Northern California. Visit his website
to enjoy more of these magnificent wine cave photographs and read
an excerpt from his book.
A special reprint of this article appeared in the
winter issue of Central Sierra
Magazine.
See story in California Wine Caves in California Country magazine,
March/April 2011:
http://www.californiacountry.org/features/article.aspx?arID=853
Published in Sutter Creek, our paper is a positive
example of journalism with an eclectic assortment of articles and
reviews ranging from health and wellness to the arts.
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