Crush

John Briscoe is a San Francisco poet, author, and lawyer. A noted wine and food writer, he is the author of Tadich Grill: The Story of San Francisco's Oldest Restaurant.

In a tour de force of scholarship, fine writing, and multifaceted format, Crush describes the process of how California introduced wine to America and how wine helped to create contemporary California. With verve and amplitude, Briscoe evokes the alchemy through which wine-as agriculture, as vintners' art, as connoisseurship in dialogue with advanced and popular taste alike-helped define California as a regional civilization." - Kevin Starr, former professor of history and California State Librarian "An entertaining and insightful story of California seen through the state's wine history, Crush is an essential addition to any California bookshelf. Readers may never look at their glass of California wine in the same way." - Christopher O'Sullivan, University of San Francisco "Crush is a hopeful saga, with the forces of oenophilia winning out in the end as California wines enter the pantheon of the world's fine wines. It's a tale written with panache and wry opinions, and is a smooth introduction to five centuries of California history, as seen through the curved lens of a wine glass." - Foreword Reviews "Delivers a comprehensive history and fascinating read; it is a true celebration of the persistence of the California vignerons throughout the ages, their battles with adversity to make the region's wines some of the best in the world today. Highly recommended!" -The Columbia Review "The history in this book pops right off the page...For those who are passionate about food culture in America or the history of California, the character and detail in this book is something that can't be missed." - The US Review of Books "Briscoe's attention to detail is staggering, and as a result, his exhaustive book is filled with tidbits that will make for fine dinner party anecdotes. [...] Briscoe's passion for California and its wine often shines through, and the book will offer many surprises to patient readers." - Kirkus Reviews