Photo courtesy of Avis Mandel
Our Spirit, Our Cause
In many ways, Robert Mondavi was the spiritual godfather of Val de Grace Books. Bob taught us -- as he taught millions of others -- that fine wine was far more than a healthy, exhilarating tonic for body, mind, and spirit. He taught us that growing top-quality grapes and crafting beautiful wines was a civilizing endeavor, one that elevates the people and the culture devoted to the cause. Yes! And we feel the exact same way about mentoring authors and creating top-quality books: it's a civilizing endeavor. And so it was that 20 years ago, inspired by Robert, we created Val de Grace Books, and we did so with one clear defining mission: To create books of exceptional quality and significance, books that matter, books that inspire, books that you will cherish for many years to come.
And what a glorious run we’ve had! Working with a brilliant team of writers, photographers, book designers and printers, we have created a library of books that shine a bright light into the talents and passions of a wide range of artists, creators and business pioneers. It has been a fabulous adventure, as you will see in the pages ahead. But first we are proud to announce something new and exciting:
Yes, Richard Mendelson has done it again. On the strength of his 40 years in the Napa Valley, as a celebrated author, winemaker and influential lawyer, Richard has brought forth a jewel: the story of how one prized grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon, helped transform a sleepy California farm community into a world-renowned wine-growing region and a showcase for the very best in American wine, culture and cuisine. It's all here, from the first plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon in the 19th Century to the stunning triumph of Napa Valley wines at the fabled Judgment of Paris. And Richard enriches the story with intimate portraits of the pioneers, artists, and craftsmen who turned the Napa Valley into a shining symbol of the best in American life. The book features exquisite maps and photography, both historical and contemporary, and the result is being hailed as one of the most important books ever written about the Napa Valley and American wine.
Here's the legendary Francis Ford Coppola:
“Great achievements, whether in cinema, wine, or life, come from a belief that artistry can change the world. Napa Valley reflects that belief, and Cabernet Sauvignon has become its most recognized expression. Richard Mendelson tells the story of how that came to be—of the people, the land, and the commitment that built this wine region recognized around the world."
And here's Tim Mondavi:
“My family came to Napa Valley with a simple belief: that sharing a meal, and the good wine that accompanies it, is life’s greatest celebration. Richard’s fascinating book tells how Cabernet Sauvignon came to define our valley. It is unique in its perspective, accuracy, and thoroughness, and a joy to read.”
And the esteemed wine writer Esther Mobley is applauding too:
“This is not merely a book about vines: Mendelson has written a profoundly human story, with reverence for the trailblazers who believed that Cabernet could become Napa’s destiny. For those who love Napa Cabernet, this is an essential book.”
The book is exquisitely produced by our Val de Grace team, with Connie Hwang as designer, and Thomas Hummel as director of printing. The book, formally published on May 1st, 2026, is available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookstore. It is also available at the author's website, www.cabernetloveaffair.com. Enjoy!
Folks, here's some more wonderful news: Ron Rubin's Gold In Your Backyard has been named as a gold medal finalist in the annual book awards of the prestigous IBPA, The Independent Book Publishers of America. And Ron's award category is perfect: Inspirational Books! Yes! Stay tuned: the awards will be announced in May.
Ron's book is indeed far more than a traditional business book. It's a book of rare wisdom and personal guidance, set forth in 50 clear lessons on how to succeed in business and in life, lessons drawn straight from his own life as a business pioneer and a leading innovator in the fields of premium tea, wine, philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. And what a story he has to tell! Ron took over The Republic of Tea in its infancy, and with vision, purpose and creativity he built it into a major force in the world of premium teas and herbal remedies. And that was just the beginning...
Ever since his college years, when he studied wine-making and viticulture at U.C. Davis, Ron had dreamed of owning vineyards and a winery in California wine country, and in his 60s, after a terrible heart scare, Ron made his dream come true: he created The River Road Family Vineyards and Winery, in California's Sonoma County. And his vision extended far beyond wine. On the heels of his own heart scare, Ron launched a program called "Trained for Saving Lives," with the goal of supplying all of Sonoma County's 450 wineries with trained staff and life-saving heart machines called defibrillators, like the one that saved his own life. In the course of 2025, Ron reached his goal: all of Sonoma's 450 wineries now have trained staff and equipment, and wineries in Napa and Colorado have embraced the cause as well. Thank you, Ron! That's Vision. That's Purpose. That's Serving Your Community.
Our team at Val de Grace Books helped Ron in every aspect of writing, designing and publishing Gold in Your Backyard -- and the response has been terrific. Indeed, Ron's book has earned more than 70 gold-star reviews on Amazon. And as the reviewers agree, this is a unique, enlightening and very important book. Folks, don't miss it!
Speaking of wisdom and inspiration, let me tell you now about Snowball and Me. At one level, this is the story of a charming, high-spirited, snow-white cat named Snowball, and he delights us with his warm heart and his many adventures in exotic places like Mongolia, Uzebekistan, Afghanistan and even the Frankfurt airport! With Snowball leading the way, this is an enchanting story that is ideal for young readers and their parents.
Still, thanks to the many gifts of author Nicholas Willmer-Shiles, this is a story with a whole other dimension, namely the very special heart and spirit of Caissa, Snowball's mom and his constant companion. We first meet Snowball and Caissa in a colorful outdoor market in Uzbekistan, but we soon see that Snowball is not just a charmer; he's also strong, clever and steady, and page after page we see Snowball keeping Caissa grounded and happy as she travels from village to village, helping other women build the life skills they need to help their families and build their businesses and their communities. The core theme of this book is women helping women, with Snowball, strong and steady, leading the way!
The story is based on the spirit and real life commitment of Nick's aunt Abbie, who has devoted her life to helping women and working for high-minded international organizations. With illustrations by Gayle Kabacker, Snowball and Me is a very special story of women helping women, and of quietly and effectively building peace and international understanding. Don't miss Snowball and the uplifting story he brings us!
That, my friends, is a first taste of what we do at Val de Grace Books. Now, using the links above, let's go deeper...