31 December 2015

Impressions of Wine Country - by Richard Sheppard - Book Review and Giveaway

Impressions of Wine Country Review and Giveaway / www.delightfulrepast.com

Is 2016 the year you'll travel to Northern California wine country? If you'd like to but can't, you can do what I did: Be an armchair traveler via Richard Sheppard's Impressions of Wine Country. Then when you actually make travel plans, you'll have the advantage of the "insider's" perspective. Wine aficionados will appreciate Richard's talks with some the region's winemakers and growers.

Watercolor is my favorite medium, and Richard is a master of the medium, capturing people, animals, buildings, plants, food, wine, everything, in a way that pulls you right into the scene. He takes us through the year, month by month, introducing us to people and places through well-told stories as well as more than 170 vivid watercolors.  

This giveaway is open to
readers anywhere in the world!


I've been a fan of Richard's work for several years since I discovered The Artist on the Road blog, and I was so glad to be able to have a book to hold in my hands and enjoy away from my computer. Hmm ... perhaps sipping a glass of wine in the gazebo while I dream of Napa Valley and Sonoma.

The book might make you envy the artist and his life in wine country, but it might also ignite in you the desire to look at wherever you are with a fresh eye. Even if we don't draw or paint, art is a way of looking at life; and we can all do that! 

Wineries mentioned and/or pictured include: Bacigalupi Family Winery, Bella Vineyards, Benziger Family Winery, Chateau Montelena Winery, Chateau St. Jean, Christopher Creek Winery, Duckhorn Vineyards, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Envy Winery, Francis Ford Coppola Winery, Glen Ellen Winery, Imagery Estate Winery, Iron Horse Vineyards and Winery, Joseph Swan Vineyards, La Crema, Limerick Lane Winery, Lyeth, Mazzocco Winery, Pedroncelli Winery, Quivira Vineyards and Winery, Ridge Winery, Robert Goyette Winery, Robert Mondavi Winery, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Toad Hollow Winery and Tofanelli Family Winery.

Impressions of Wine Country Review and Giveaway / www.delightfulrepast.com

This giveaway is open to readers anywhere in the world who are 18 years of age or older. Leave a comment below (one entry per person, please) and please include your email address in the body of your comment. Must enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday January 6. 

Winner will be chosen by random drawing and be announced here in the comments before noon Eastern time on Thursday January 7. If I don't hear back from the winner of the random drawing by noon Eastern on Sunday January 10, another drawing will be held and a new winner selected from the original entrants (those who commented before the giveaway deadline).

Disclosure: The artist/author is providing the book for this giveaway. I have received no compensation. The views expressed here are entirely my own. As always, I tell my readers what I really think!

50 comments:

Nancy said...

I would love this beautiful book nancystandlee@sbcglobal.net

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

An artist yourself, Nancy, you definitely would!

Amy at love made my home said...

Sounds like a wonderful book featuring many wineries that I have visited! Sadly not our favourite which is the very small Schug, which produces delicious wine! Happy New Year! Here's to a good 2016! xx

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

Delightful repast, indeed! You can devour and digest a book in one sitting or in leftovers without loss of nutrition or freshness over as many sittings as you like. No calories. No harmful ingredients. And though I suspect most will sip wine with each course, I’ll stick with water – watercolors that is. Dessert included. What’s not to like? The best of New Year’s to you and what’s-his-name, Jeani, and to all your discerning epicureans and loyal readers here!

lulabelldesigns said...

I would love the book! Your art is beautiful and I aspire to be as good!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Hmm ... I'll have to ask Richard if he has been to Schug; perhaps it's on his blog. All the best to you, Amy!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Sully, and all our best to you and yours!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Lynda/lulabelldesigns, I think you'll find Richard Sheppard really captured Sonoma and Napa. I look forward to checking out your blog.

Karenann S. said...

What a lovely giveaway! Thank you for the opportunity to win it! Have a wonderful New Year celebration! kasharrott@yahoo.com

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Karenann! Have a terrific 2016!

Margaret D said...

Happy New Year...

Maureen | Orgasmic Chef said...

I loved both visits to the California wine country so I know I'd love this book.

Have the happiest new year ever and I look forward to the delights you'll share in 2016.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Margaret! Hope 2016 is a marvelous year for you!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Maureen, thank you! And I look forward to following along with your lovely blog throughout the changing (and opposite, I must remember!) seasons.

Debby said...

Wine country and water colors, what a great way to start a new year. Clowninabug@gmail.com

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Yes, it is, Debby! Hope you have a wonderful 2016!

Daniela said...

It's always such a joy to me to visit you here, darling Jean and thank you for starting the New Year with this lovely, inviting initiative !

I wish you and your loved ones a New Year filled with love, peace, serenity, health ... and dreams to make come true, my sweet friend !

With all my heart
Dany

tenutageremia@gmail.com

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Dany, thank you. I was just thinking about your lovely blog this morning! Wishing you a wondrous 2016!

Nancy said...

Looks like a beautiful book!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

It really is, Nancy! Sitting down with it for a few minutes in the middle of a busy day is like a mini-vacation!

Nenna said...

Looks so lovely!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Oh my goodness I would love to win this book! I'm an artist, too, but I work in oils mostly. I do like watercolor pencils and crayons.

My friends and I are planning a trip in the spring to Napa! We were planning it on New Year's Eve while we were watching Alabama defeat Michigan State (Roll Tide Roll)!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving your comments about our Hot Chocolate Bar. We've had little winter so far, but it will come and we can enjoy it more then. I'm with you....I love hot chocolate!

Happy New Year!

xo,
Ricki Jill

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Nenna, it is!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Ricki Jill, you are going to have a wonderful time! And I recommend lunch on the Napa Valley Wine Train!

TONY said...

Happy New Year Jean.

" but it might also ignite in you the desire to look at wherever you are with a fresh eye. Even if we don't draw or paint, art is a way of looking at life; and we can all do that!"

Couldn't agree more.

TONY said...

Just a thought. The cover picture could be Italy. The other sketch you feature looks like a Victorian Gothic revival country house. You can find hundreds of those all over Britain.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Tony! I love architecture. If I ever take up drawing and painting, I think I'll do old houses and barns and such.

Unknown said...

Looks amazing! Thanks for the chance. jenannhayden at yahoo dot com

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

You are so welcome, Jennifer! I do great giveaways at Delightful Repast!

tealady said...

what a wonderful giveaway,love all the fun things on your site

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, tealady! Check out my Recipes index page subheading "Teatime."

Susan said...

I love California wine country AND Richard Sheppards art! Both are excellent!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Susan, I so agree! Thanks for entering.

Glenda said...

What a nice treat for someone! I love Richard Sheppard's art.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Glenda, I do, too! His work really speaks to me.

DeniseinVA said...

A great sounding giveaway and I do love the artwork. We have just come back from Kauai and my sister-in-law, whom we were meeting up there to attend a mutual friend's wedding, packed a bottle of Napa wine and gave it to me when we got together. She lives in California not too far from wine country and visits there often. My husband and I enjoyed a glass on our 40th wedding anniversary.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sounds wonderful, Denise! Happy anniversary!

Summer said...

Such a lovely giveaway! The book sounds interesting♥

summerdaisy.net

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks for entering, Summer!

Cranberry Morning said...

I'll have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of wine because it seems to give me a headache, but I'll selfishly enter the drawing because I love that cover art and would so enjoy reading each selection. Sounds wonderful!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

You're right, Judy! It's not just for wine lovers. I'm sure you'd enjoy it.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

*Giveaway Winner Announced* - The winner of the book, by random drawing, is Ricki Jill. Ricki Jill, as soon as you send me, delightfulrepast at aol dot com, your name, address and phone number (required by shipper), the artist/author will ship the book to you. Congratulations!

If I don't hear from the winner of the random drawing by 11:59 am Eastern time Sunday, January 10, another drawing will be held and new winner selected from among the original entrants (those who commented before the giveaway deadline).

This was fun! Watch for more giveaways here at Delightful Repast! In the meantime, follow me on Google and Twitter. You can even use the Follow Me By Email button in the right column.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

You have the best giveaways, Jean! What a wonderful book with water colors.
I'm hoping my package for you arrives soon!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Kitty!

Laurie - Country Link said...

Beautiful pictures! Thank you for joining the January Country Fair Blog Party!
Laurie - Country Link

Sippity Sup said...

With a meal like that I sat bring on the rain. GREG

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Laurie, thank you for stopping by!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Greg, I have a feeling this comment goes with the Boeuf Bourguignon post. Thanks so much!

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

Thanks for tweeting me and sorry it took so long for me to visit! I have been toying with the idea of watercolour images for my recipe book. Really love the concept. Have a super 2016 Jean :)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tandy, that sounds wonderful! Your own watercolours, or do you know someone?