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Touring Texas Wineries - Scenic Drives to 27 Lone Star Vineyards Authors: Thomas M. Ciesla and Regina M. Ciesla Publisher: William Morrow & Co., Inc.; ISBN 0688102298 Soft bound, 198 pp.; List $18.95 -- Amazon.com Price $15.16 -- You save $3.79 (20%)

The authors have put a great deal of time and effort into their subject, and it shows. Equally evident is their love of and enthusiasm for wines, good food, back roads and the ambience of Texas wine country. The wealth of information about Texas wines and wineries is presented in a tour format. The Cieslas have divided the state into four wine-producing regions: North Central, Hill Country, Southeastern and West Texas, and have created tours (Trails) for each region, including maps, background information about each winery, and liberal listings of bed-and-breakfasts, landmarks and recommended restaurants along the way. Though paperback, this volume is printed on heavy, glossy paper, and is richly illustrated with many color photographs. Well written and nicely put together, this book is definitely a must-have for the wine enthusiast.

Note: Since it was originally reviewed here, this book has gone out of print. Too bad, because it is so informative. However, it may still be found on the shelves of some book stores, and amazon.com will help you look for it. It's worth the search.

Wine lovers interested in an education on the burgeoning Texas wine industry will value this book. Originally written in 1986, the author has provided two revisions so far, and this 1995 Third Edition is replete with well-documented, interesting information. The book traces the history of winegrowing in Texas from early in the Eighteenth Century to modern times, and discusses the four major winegrowing areas in the State.

Wine lovers interested in touring and tasting, will find the book's lengthiest section invaluable: Ms. English has included subchapters, some of which are written by the winegrowers themselves, on 18 of the major, bonded Texas wineries. These subchapters (complete with maps) not only contain a mini history of each winery, but the process that resulted in each winegrower's choice of grapes, growing methods and, often, the struggle that accompanied their efforts.

The author has included a Guide to Texas Wines which includes tips on entertaining, some really nice recipes, and rules for pairing wines with the spicy foods Texans so love.

This book is very readable. If you take an interest in Texas wines, you will find it engrossing. Should your interest be merely casual, however, a reading of this book is certain to have you examining the labels of wine bottles and, perhaps, planning a winery tour.