I am excited to share that I have written a new book focused on the birth and evolution of the Murphys wine scene!
This has been a true passion project over the past several years. Like many long-term labors of love, I started it, set it aside on the shelf, picked it back up, and repeated the cycle more times than I can count. But today, it’s finally done!
So, why write a book about wine? And specifically, why Murphys?
For me, the story began around 2006, shortly after I moved to the Sierra Foothills from Iowa and began tasting wine for the first time. Coming from the Midwest, my only previous experience with wine—and I am being serious—was a cheap bottle picked up from the regional grocery chain Hy-Vee. Let’s just say the quality was lacking, but the price was right. If nothing else, it taught me what not to drink.
My real initiation into wine happened after driving down the long, winding San Domingo Road to the former Shaw Ranch—the original home of Stevenot Winery. I arrived in California right around the time founder Barden Stevenot was preparing to sell the winery and hand the reins to new owners. At the time, the legendary late Chuck Hovey was winemaker, and Kate Boyle MacDonald was part of the cellar team before later taking over as head winemaker. I distinctly remember visiting the property, telling someone I had just moved out west and was new to wine, and receiving the response: “This is what real California wine tastes like.”
Working as a radio news reporter, a thought took root in the back of my mind: the story of Murphys and its wine renaissance would make a fantastic book.
It didn’t happen immediately. In 2015, I detoured to publish a book on the Rim Fire in Tuolumne County, and spent the next couple of years weighing options for my next project.
Then came a crucial turning point. In 2009, my wife Tamara and I were married on the old Stevenot property—a place that had already held so much meaning for us. Fast forward to 2017: Tamara and I were hanging out with our young kids at the Tuolumne County Public Library, where Tamara was working part-time. She struck up a conversation with a visitor who had driven over from Murphys. When she mentioned that we had been married at the former Shaw Ranch, he paused and said, “Oh yes, what a beautiful place. But Mr. Stevenot is so ill now. It’s very sad.”
In that instant, I knew if I was ever going to write this book, I couldn’t wait any longer.
I had heard several stories about Barden Stevenot over the years, but we had never met. I began asking around in my circle to see if anyone had his contact information and managed to track down an email address through one of his former team members when he was managing Greenhorn Creek.
I sent Barden an email outlining my vision to write a long-form narrative on the birth of the modern Murphys wine industry, sharing how much his work at Stevenot had inspired me. A week passed with no response. I figured I had given it my best shot.
Then, to my surprise, an email arrived. Barden invited me to call his home number to set up a time to chat. Within twenty-four hours, I was sitting on the back deck of his home on Burrows Lane near downtown Murphys, digital recorder running, listening to him recount the early days of the region’s modern wine boom. That interview became the core and soul of the book—fitting for a man widely remembered as the Godfather of Murphys wine. As I gathered my things to leave, Barden looked at me and said, “It was good you didn’t wait any longer.” He shared the health struggles he was facing, noting his doctors were surprised he had made it as far as he had. Sadly, Barden passed away just three months later.
From that pivotal interview, the project grew. I sat down with figures across the region: winemaker Chuck Hovey, the Kautz family of Ironstone Vineyards, Gay Callan of Chatom Winery, Scott Klann of Newsome Harlow, Steve Miller of Milliaire Winery, Matt Hatcher of Hatcher Winery, Matthew Rorick of Forlorn Hope, Jim Riggs and Bob Bliss of Chispa Cellars, and many others.
The final result of those conversations is Grapes, the New Gold: Calaveras Wine Legends.
The journey wasn’t without its pauses. Truthfully, imposter syndrome set in more than once. Did I really know enough about winemaking to write a book on it? To bridge that gap, I dove in headfirst—learning the mechanics of small-batch winemaking (with a big thanks to former Mt Brow Vineyards founder Jim Costello), visiting dozens of cellars, reading extensively, and launching a wine podcast. Over the last year and a half, I put the finishing touches on the manuscript, and it is officially ready for you to see.
I want to acknowledge upfront that no single volume can capture every single individual who contributed to the Murphys wine scene. One interview naturally led to another, one story opened the door to the next, and this narrative took shape from those connection points. Writing a book is hard work, and I gave this project everything I had.
So, where can you get a copy?
While it is listed on the major online book retailers, I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy locally through our area wineries, independent bookshops, and community stores. Buying local directly supports the small businesses that make our region special, while also allowing me to keep researching, documenting, and sharing local history. So, keep an eye out for some upcoming launch events being developed. And, if you have any ideas for some, let me know.
I hope the 162 pages bring back fond memories of early Calaveras wineries and help deepen your connection to this incredible community.
Cheers!