Dragonvine is author Steven Laine’s latest wine-theme fiction novel. You’ll find my review of his previous book Root Cause here.

Disclosure: I received this book as media sample. I received no compensation for this review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis

When his father dies in a wildfire, Carmine Cooper takes over the family winery in the middle of harvest, putting his dreams of becoming an architect on hold. He soon finds himself fighting with a vengeful neighbor, blackmailed by a local gang, harassed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities, and the target of an ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives) investigation.

Carmine’s only hope to solve his problems and finish his first solo vintage successfully rests in identifying an unknown grape variety his father grew and made into wine for a quarter century with links to an ancient Chinese grape variety and the First Emperor of China.

Can Carmine save his father’s legacy, his family, the winery, and his first harvest before it’s too late?

Book Review

This novel’s story line has three threads. Two of the story lines feature contemporary events, while the third features the tale of a Chinese emperor and his search for an exilir of life.

The author admirably interweaves the story lines, though I found myself gravitating more toward the contemporary story lines than dynastic Chinese history…that is until I felt like I knew how the three story lines might intersect.

Laine’s wine knowledge is impressive and adds to the appeal of this novel for me. For example, he mentions a particular strain of cultured yeast that is used to start fermentations of crushed grapes. And, he also provides a very accurate description of the location of the Department of Viticulture & Enology at UC David, where some to the story takes place.

I don’t know dynastic Chinese history, so I can’t vouch for the level of details around that story line. But given the author was inspired by his travels to Asia, including the First Emperor’s Tomb and the Terra Cotta Warriors, I bet there are many fascinating details weaved into that story line too.

Overall, I found the author’s story-telling to be impressive, and this vinous thriller was a captivating and entertaining read. Bravo!

Wine Pairing

I was inspired to pair this novel with 2020 Oak Ridge Winery Zinfandel OZV (“Old Zin Vin”) because a “dark, full-bodied Zinfandel from Lodi is one ATF Special Agent, John Haskins’ (a character in the novel) favorite wine.

Also, as resident of Lodi, I appreciate the self-proclaimed “Zinfandel Capital of the World” getting some vinous love in this Napa-centric tale. Lodi’s other (arguably) literary claim to fame is Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Stuck In Lodi”, which isn’t exactly a glowing reference for the city.

I think it’s important to note the reference to Lodi in the novel is to the sprawling Lodi wine region (America’s largest wine-growing region), while the song refers to the city of Lodi itself.

2020 Oak Ridge Winery Zinfandel OZV (“Old Zin Vin”)

Fruit for this wine is sourced from vines with an average age of fifty years. It is a blend of 85% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Raised 11 months in 80% French oak, 20% American oak.

The wine pours opaque ruby color with boysenberry pie, blackberry, mocha, vanilla and peppery spice aromas. There’s a touch of heat on the nose.On the palate, this easy going crowd-pleaser is full-bodied, with a supple texture, low acidity and fruit forward flavors that echo it’s aromas. It is Lodi Rules Certified Green. ABV-14%|SRP – $15(I paid $12)

I think Agent Haskin’s would like this one. After all, it’s “California’s Favorite Zinfandel” according to the signature in the store where I purchased it.

About the Author

Steven Laine is an award winning-restauranteur and hotelier with a passion for wine. He’s traveled the world working in luxury hotels and visiting hundreds of wineries. He is a Wine Scholar who has earned numerous wine certifications including WSET III, FWS, IWS, SWS, CWS. Along the way, he’s also gotten his hands dirty working harvest at two Canadian wineries – Mission Hill Family Estate Winery and Trius as a press house operator and cellarman.

Thank you to BOOK PUBLICITY SERVICES for providing me a copy of this book to review.

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