Terroir of Golf | A Golf Book for Wine Lovers
To hold Terroir in your hands and delve into this book is an extraordinary experience.
Terroir at a Glance
Starting with a travelogue – Let’s Talk Scotland – takes the reader on a marvelous journey to numerous locations in Scotland, where Taba had her “lightbulb” moment, leading to the title of this book.
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The “bridge” story is the definitive essay on the Claret Jug.
The next section explores Terroir — What is it?
First, 6 winemakers from California to Bordeaux to New Zealand describe their own wine journey in Winemakers Talk Terroir
Next, 6 leading golf architects reveal their path to becoming designers of some of the greatest courses we love to play in Designers Talk Turf
The chapter on Professional Golfers with Their Own Wine Label profiles 12 golfers, including Luke Donald, Ernie Els, David Frost, Retief Goosen, Cristie Kerr, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Louis Oosthuizen, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Annika Sörenstam, and Jan Stephenson.
Terroir concludes with Golf Clubs Around the World With a Strong Wine Culture providing fascinating profiles that will entertain and amaze!
P R A I S E for Terroir of Golf
In Dale’s, “The Terroir of Golf” she captures travel, golf and wine elements in an innovative way through the concept of “terroir.” For Dale, the geologic and geographic forces behind“ terroir” spark creativity. Terroir, is the muse for the skilled professional. People who build great golf resorts, produce world class wines and shape golf course design invoking the ethereal qualities of location. This book is peppered with insights describing the creative process which allows greater appreciation of the environmental and human elements that go into a “simple” glass of wine or the angles and elevation changes in a fairway.
The travelogue portion describes a variety of world class golf course destinations and how these courses are emblematic of the region’s geography. Taba describes how the design of these golf courses capture the terroir and how it enhances the golfing experience. The places mentioned in her book also boast a world class wine cellar that certainly would enhance any stay. She adeptly ties together the concept of terroir through the independent individual terroir elements of the resort, golf course and the wine cellar.
In the Q&A section were she interviews various wine-makers from around the world is where the notion of terroir is best understood and explained. Most of the wine makers agreed that they needed to understand the soil, climate and growing conditions to plant the best wine varietals, but more importantly, during the wine-making process they had to be true to the terroir. That same theme and thought process in regards to terroir was also well presented from the various golf course architects.
Bill Kunz, golf enthusiast, with over 800 wine reviews to his credit
The Look and Feel of Terroir of Golf
This book is BIG: 352 pages, weighing 4.5 lbs, measuring 9.5 x 10 inches.
With over 200 contemporary color photographs and numerous historic images, it is a sumptuous work of art and brimming with beauty.
The paper is luxurious. The spectacular cover has an anti-scuff finish. This hand-sewn, casebound book is finished off with head and tail bands plus a silk ribbon marker. The overall feel of Terroir oozes aesthetic value and prestige.
Award Winning Book Designer
Terroir is designed by Chic Harper who brings his sophisticated approach to book design that takes the reader on a journey of discovery. Chic Harper is the winner of the British Golf Collectors Society’s Murdoch Medal 2019 and designer of the USGA’s Herbert Warren Wind Award- and Murdoch Medal-winning books.
High Quality Printer
Terroir is printed and assembled at McAllister Litho Glasgow Ltd. to their exacting specifications. They print for such esteemed organizations as the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and private clubs such as Royal Liverpool Golf Club and Glasgow Golf Club, the ninth oldest golf club in the world.
This is the First U.S. Edition of Terroir of Golf
David McLay Kidd – golf architect of Bandon Dunes
The beauty of Terroir of Golf is one really doesn’t have to know a great deal about the Grand Game across the pond – or about wine. That’s because Dale provides the requisite knowledge as she makes an authoritative link between the two. This tome contains four distinct sections: select Scottish courses, views of terroir by winemakers and course designers, professional golfers with wine labels and golf clubs with strong wine cultures. In her introduction Dale notes that terroir (from the French word terre or ‘land’) refers to the specific environment where a particular wine is produced, i.e.: land as it relates to a crop of grapes, starting with physical habitat including soil, climate and topography. Vintner and course architect views are expressed, in some cases, in different words, but the linkage of land (terrain, soil, et al.) to golf and ultimately land to grapes and fine wine is unmistakable and stands as the thesis for this engaging read.
The designers she features include household names such as Doak, Coore, Kidd and Jan Bel Jan, the second female president of the American Society of Golf Architects. In the book Doak says “Golf is a much more emotional experience than most people give it credit for.” So is wine. Dale’s premise and her interviewed producers (France, South Africa, Italy, Slovenia, New Zealand and California) agree. Each has a unique take on the winemaking process. Readers, knowledgeable or not, will find vintner observations on how terroir affects the final product insightful and intriguing.
Reading Terroir recalls the life and times of those well-to-do travelers who years ago embarked upon their own Grand Tours. Dale’s vivid detail evokes a decided Michelin Guide feel with nary a wasted word. This is an educational chronicle for armchair or seasoned travelers — for those who love life’s finer things, especially wine and golf, and want to learn more about both. First reads may not inspire an immediate call to one’s travel agent, but may well lead to a gift– one that will be well-received and treasured.
Michael Stott, author of Too Much Loft
What completes this book are the rich, lush, National Geographic quality photographs that brilliantly capture the elements of terroir that can’t be put into words.
This book is ideal for the clubhouse, coffee table or the corporate boardroom. It offers a variety of riches. B. Kunz
New Terroir of Golf is now available to purchase:
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Taba Dale uses her inquisitiveness to unearth history and craft engaging stories. In Terrior of Golf the reader inhales her imagery as she blends the intersection of golf and wine. She brings the reader with her for exclusive interviews with golf course designers and personal visits to golf properties. You will never experience a golf course the same way again.
Debbie Waitkus
Co-Founder, President
Marilynn Smith & Founders’ Legacy Foundation
DBA Golf It Forward™
In Terroir of Golf, Ms. Dale connects two seemingly distinct art forms through her vivid prose. As she explores the arts and artists of winemaking and golf course architecture, Ms. Dale delivers her own work of art which, similar to its topic matter, is to be savored. Golf and wine enthusiasts, as well as lovers of history, landscape photography and travel will delight in this tapestry of well-researched historical backdrops, stunning photographs and expert interviews skillfully woven together with a travelogue that Ms. Dale shares so generously and evocatively. Terroir of Golf uniquely explores and celebrates the natural lands and artists that give rise to the world’s preeminent wines and golf courses.
Brent Johnson, avid golfer
