I enjoyed this book. I have had this book on my review list for years. I did start reading it several times over the years only to quickly realize that I was in the mood for a different kind of book. Eventually, the book was lost in my virtual stacks but I am happy that I finally was able to immerse myself in this story.

This book revolves around Caterina and her mother, Ava. Caterina's life is filled with secrets. Some she keeps from others and some have been kept from her but they are all making their way to the surface in this story. The book is set in the 50s and the fact that Caterina has had a child out of wedlock is a big deal. It is such a big deal that she has hidden this fact from everyone, including her own mother. When she learns that she has inherited a home in Italy from a grandmother she didn't know existed, she thinks that this might be the perfect escape for her and her daughter. Caterina soon learns that everything she thought she knows about her history may not be true. It seems like just as soon as one secret is revealed we learn about something else someone has been hiding.

I was hooked by the story pretty early on. I was eager to learn about Ava's life in Italy and loved the chapters told from her point of view. I liked the way that one lie seemed to grow into several more over time. I did like the way that wine played a role in the story which surprised me since I am not a wine drinker. I thought that the passion for the wine that the characters felt really showed. This wasn't a perfect story though. I didn't need all of the descriptions of clothing that seemed to pop up throughout the story. I also thought that Caterina's daughter, Marisa, must be the most well-behaved baby in the history of the world. It seems like someone besides Caterina was always watching the baby or she was sleeping which is not quite how I remember those early days of parenthood.

I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was an entertaining family drama spanning two generations and filled with great characters. I wouldn't hesitate to read more from this author in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. ( )

With an interesting cast of characters, a fascinating plot, a forbidden romance and a slight mystery element, The Winemakers by Jan Moran is an engrossing historical novel about a Napa Valley vintner whose secrets from the late 1920s come to light during the mid 1950s.

Caterina Rosetta dreads telling her beautiful and accomplished mother, Ava, about her now one year old daughter, Marisa. Now having to face the harsh reality of keeping her illegitimate baby, Caterina can no longer keep the news from Ava and just as she feared, her revelation is met with anger and demands she give Marisa up for adoption. Immediately following their heated argument, Caterina is stunned to learn she has inherited a cottage and vineyard in Tuscany from her paternal grandmother. This discovery is just the first of many secrets that she learns her mother has been keeping from her and Caterina travels to Italy searching for answers to the questions about her family's past.

Caterina never planned to be an unwed mother but her attempts to tell Marisa's father about the pregnancy were unsuccessful. Brokenhearted, she managed to find a wonderful home where she found a very supportive and understanding couple to help her through this difficult time. From discussions she and her mother had over the years, Caterina knows exactly how her mom will react, so she feels like she has no choice but to keep the news of the pregnancy and subsequent birth to herself. Unfortunately Ava's reaction is exactly what she expected and with very few options available, she feels that moving to Italy with Marisa is the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. However, she is almost immediately confronted by unexpected revelations about her family and she is bewildered by her mother's lies. Learning the truth about her father is difficult but her hopes for the future are shattered once Caterina hears the rumors everyone believes are true about her father and another woman.

Ava's past is tragic but she worked hard make the Napa Valley vineyard a success. She truly believed she made the right decision to conceal the truth about her husband and she never expected her lies to be uncovered. Now regretting those long ago decisions, Ava is overcome with guilt for her angry outbursts during Caterina's childhood. She also realizes that while she had good intentions, she did not always treat her daughter fairly. Ava is deeply remorseful for her somewhat irrational reaction to Caterina's announcement about Marisa and she fears her relationship with Caterina will never recover. As she is trying to figure out a way to smooth over their relationship, a calamitous event threatens to destroy the vineyard. When a person from her past returns, Ava lives in fear of what will happen to her beloved home.

The Winemakers is a multi-layered story that takes place in both California and Italy. Both settings are picturesque and the beautiful descriptions bring them vibrantly to life. Through a series of flashbacks, the heartbreaking events from Ava's past are slowly revealed throughout the course of the novel. Caterina's storyline is equally compelling as she uncovers the truth about her family while attempting to make a difficult decision about her future. Jan Moran's extensive research adds a layer of authenticity to the plot and provides readers with an eye-opening glimpse of societal issues of the time period. Although a little melodramatic and a little rushed, the novel's conclusion is quite heartwarming. ( )

Maron has crafted a domestic drama focusing on mothers, daughters, secrets, and wine. Set in 1956, with flashbacks to 1929, the story also highlights changes in women’s lives. The strong willed women of the Rosetta family have defied prejudice against American wine to bring international recognition to the Mille Étolies winery of Napa. As the action spans continents, Bennet deftly handles a variety of languages and accents including French, Italian, and Spanish. Bennet provides each character a distinct personality, with her rich voice skillfully dropping to create resonant male characters. Bennet maintains interest during detailed winemaking descriptions which conveying the theme that terroir shapes both wine and individuals. As each generation’s secrets are dramatically revealed, with additional suspense provided by dangers from earthquakes to lunatic madmen, Bennet’s even cadence creates intensity through pitch and tone. While the writing at times is operatic, Bennet’s performance is realistically sensuous.

The improved review was published in Booklist Apr 15, 2017 issue. ( )

I received this book for free through The Reading Room’s giveaways.

So first off, I simply adore historical fiction novels about women in their early 20’s trying to forge their own path in life. This book was precisely that so I liked that aspect of the book.

For the most part, I enjoyed the plot, however, the ending was a bit overdramatic.

I also really liked all the romantic locations (Napa, Italy, and Paris) that the book took the reader through.

My favorite thing about this book was how it was subtly sex positive. Like at one point someone says, “What? Sex is healthy between two people in love.” There was also some very nice french lingerie mentioned.

Overall, it was a great historical fiction novel. ( )

I gave her “Scent of Triumph” four stars, but this one is undeniably a FIVE! Loved it, loved it. This book is about family – the struggles, the secrets, the salvation. The subtitle “A Novel of Wine and Secrets” is totally apropos.
Caterina Rosetta is hiding a huge secret from her mother. But her mother has her own secrets. Dreams dashed, futures uncertain. Caterina has grown up on the family-owned vineyard in Napa, California. But now she is at odds with her mother Ava over the daughter Caterina has kept secret. The unexpected notice that she has inherited a vineyard in Tuscany could not have come at a better time. Shortly after her arrival in Italy the family secrets begin to be revealed to her. She learns that Ava kept serious information from her in the belief that she was protecting her daughter. But now Caterina has to deal with the consequences resulting from this “protection”. How can she forgive her mother, and how does she tell the love of her life these secrets – secrets that will possibly destroy them? How can life be so cruel?
Caterina’s story is set in 1956, while Ava’s story is in 1928. Things were much different for women then. A child out of wedlock could destroy your reputation, and men had to give permission for their wives to handle financial transactions. How difficult it must have been then for the women who refused to follow the norm.
Having once lived near Napa Valley (and frequently visited the wineries) I especially loved the setting. The book is beautifully written with luscious descriptions of the Napa region and the wonderful wines produced there. The characters became my family and I rejoiced with them and felt broken-hearted along with the characters when dreams seemed inevitably dashed. I was emotionally spent when reached that last chapter. Jan Moran is AMAZING! ( )