"[Figiel's] prose is clear and efficient. He tells the story well ... You will not find a better short history of New York wine." -- FingerLakesWine.info
"In his quiet prose, Figiel chronicles the battles between growers and the storms that descend upon them, the arctic chill racing down from the north, or the temperance movement that erupted out of Chautauqua and led to Prohibition. It's compelling reading, whether you're a wine drinker in New York or an American history buff." --
Wine & Spirits "This is a clear and coherent theme--the evolution of an important modern wine industry in New York. It is the most complete history of this topic." -- Ian A. Merwin, viticulturalist at Cornell University, coauthor of
A Grower's Guide to Organic Apples "What works is when the book weaves between providing basic history and then anecdotes that illuminate that history. I had difficulty putting the book down because it was entertaining. This should make a very fine contribution to the literature of wine-making in New York." -- John C. Hartsock, author of
Seasons of a Finger Lakes Winery