Into The Earth, a Wine Cave Renaissance
Author Daniel D'Agostini with Molly Chappellet
A Review by Eva Dunn
Editor-In-Chief
An intriguing pictorial and written tale that brilliantly illustrates the history, charm and eco-conscious qualities of California 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. www.dagostini.com
A special reprint of this article appeared in the winter issue of Central Sierra Magazine, March/April 2011
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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