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Crush: My Year as an Apprentice Winemaker
In Crush Nicholas O'Connell provides a behind-the-scenes look at the daily operations of some of the world's most prestigious wineries on the West Coast. This insider's view of the wine world includes the intense competition for the best grapes, the bizarre lingo of the tasting rooms, and the visionary winemakers who magically transform grapes into high-end wine. It is a world that includes not only romance and refinement but long hours, backbreaking labor, mind-numbing repetition, and fanatical dedication to quality. Such devotion resulted in the 1973 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet that won the best red wine at the 1976 Judgment of Paris and transformed the U.S. wine industry.
O'Connell's quest to master the art of wine making begins in his garage. From there he embarks on an apprenticeship at Betz and DeLille Cellar and other great wineries in California, Oregon, and Washington. He provides a first-person, ground-up view of a business not yet fully explored despite record interest in wine. O'Connell also includes conversations with some of the world's most gifted vintners, including Warren Winiarski, former owner of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.
Wine is surrounded by a seemingly impenetrable cloud of descriptors--"wet dog," "kumquats," "cat pee"--and a fog of pretention. Crush pierces this fog with colorful, concrete storytelling, in-depth portraits of famous winemakers, and a lively, down-to-earth description of the process by which wine is made: not in the critic's mind but in the winery and vineyard.
O'Connell's quest to master the art of wine making begins in his garage. From there he embarks on an apprenticeship at Betz and DeLille Cellar and other great wineries in California, Oregon, and Washington. He provides a first-person, ground-up view of a business not yet fully explored despite record interest in wine. O'Connell also includes conversations with some of the world's most gifted vintners, including Warren Winiarski, former owner of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.
Wine is surrounded by a seemingly impenetrable cloud of descriptors--"wet dog," "kumquats," "cat pee"--and a fog of pretention. Crush pierces this fog with colorful, concrete storytelling, in-depth portraits of famous winemakers, and a lively, down-to-earth description of the process by which wine is made: not in the critic's mind but in the winery and vineyard.
248 pages, Hardcover
Published July 1, 2025
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49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 12, 2025
Book Review: Crush: My Year as an Apprentice Winemaker by Nicholas O’Connell
Rating: 4.5/5
Overview
Nicholas O’Connell’s Crush: My Year as an Apprentice Winemaker is a compelling memoir that blends viticulture, personal growth, and the artistry of winemaking. Set in California’s wine country, the book chronicles O’Connell’s immersive apprenticeship, offering readers an intimate look at the labor, science, and passion behind every bottle. With vivid prose and reflective insights, the author transforms a niche subject into a universally engaging narrative.
Section Scoring Breakdown
Narrative Structure & Pacing (9/10)
O’Connell’s storytelling is both methodical and lyrical, mirroring the seasonal rhythms of winemaking. The memoir’s chronological structure—from harvest to bottling—provides a natural arc, though some sections linger on technical details that may slow momentum for general readers.
Thematic Depth (10/10)
Beyond winemaking, the book explores themes of mentorship, patience, and the intersection of tradition and innovation. O’Connell’s introspection elevates the memoir, drawing parallels between crafting wine and crafting a life.
Technical Detail & Accessibility (8/10)
The author excels in demystifying winemaking jargon, but occasional deep dives into fermentation chemistry or soil science might overwhelm casual readers. A glossary or appendix could have improved accessibility.
Emotional Resonance (9/10)
O’Connell’s vulnerability—whether describing backbreaking labor or the euphoria of a perfect blend—creates an emotional anchor. His reverence for the craft is contagious, though some personal anecdotes feel underexplored.
Cultural & Industry Insights (10/10)
A standout feature is the book’s critique of California’s wine industry, touching on sustainability, commercialization, and the human stories behind labels. These insights offer valuable context for wine enthusiasts and critics alike.
Final Thoughts
Crush is a triumph of immersive journalism and memoir, offering a rare glimpse into a world often romanticized but seldom understood. While its technicality may deter some, the book’s heart and intellect make it an essential reading for oenophiles and memoir lovers. O’Connell’s apprenticeship is as much about refining a skill as it is about savoring the process—a lesson that lingers like a fine wine’s finish.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Nicholas O’Connell, for providing an advance copy of Crush: My Year as an Apprentice Winemaker in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5/5
Overview
Nicholas O’Connell’s Crush: My Year as an Apprentice Winemaker is a compelling memoir that blends viticulture, personal growth, and the artistry of winemaking. Set in California’s wine country, the book chronicles O’Connell’s immersive apprenticeship, offering readers an intimate look at the labor, science, and passion behind every bottle. With vivid prose and reflective insights, the author transforms a niche subject into a universally engaging narrative.
Section Scoring Breakdown
Narrative Structure & Pacing (9/10)
O’Connell’s storytelling is both methodical and lyrical, mirroring the seasonal rhythms of winemaking. The memoir’s chronological structure—from harvest to bottling—provides a natural arc, though some sections linger on technical details that may slow momentum for general readers.
Thematic Depth (10/10)
Beyond winemaking, the book explores themes of mentorship, patience, and the intersection of tradition and innovation. O’Connell’s introspection elevates the memoir, drawing parallels between crafting wine and crafting a life.
Technical Detail & Accessibility (8/10)
The author excels in demystifying winemaking jargon, but occasional deep dives into fermentation chemistry or soil science might overwhelm casual readers. A glossary or appendix could have improved accessibility.
Emotional Resonance (9/10)
O’Connell’s vulnerability—whether describing backbreaking labor or the euphoria of a perfect blend—creates an emotional anchor. His reverence for the craft is contagious, though some personal anecdotes feel underexplored.
Cultural & Industry Insights (10/10)
A standout feature is the book’s critique of California’s wine industry, touching on sustainability, commercialization, and the human stories behind labels. These insights offer valuable context for wine enthusiasts and critics alike.
Final Thoughts
Crush is a triumph of immersive journalism and memoir, offering a rare glimpse into a world often romanticized but seldom understood. While its technicality may deter some, the book’s heart and intellect make it an essential reading for oenophiles and memoir lovers. O’Connell’s apprenticeship is as much about refining a skill as it is about savoring the process—a lesson that lingers like a fine wine’s finish.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Nicholas O’Connell, for providing an advance copy of Crush: My Year as an Apprentice Winemaker in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2025
Enjoy a spirited memoir that ferments passion, precision, and the pursuit of craft, Nicholas O’Connell’s Crush is a vivid, behind-the-scenes journey into the world of winemaking—equal parts romantic and rigorous. What begins in his garage as a hobbyist’s experiment evolves into a yearlong apprenticeship with some of the West Coast’s most revered vintners, including Bob Betz and Warren Winiarski. O’Connell’s quest takes him through the vineyards of California, Oregon, and Washington, offering readers a rare glimpse into the artistry and obsession that fuel the wine industry.
O’Connell dives into the gritty realities of winemaking such as fruit fly infestations, backbreaking labor, and the relentless pursuit of quality. His writing is grounded and engaging, demystifying the “fog of pretension” that often surrounds wine culture. He captures the tension between the ephemeral and the eternal—how a single vintage can reflect centuries of tradition and a winemaker’s soul.
One of the book’s resounding lines “Grapes, like people generally, have to suffer to achieve their potential.” encapsulates the memoir’s emotional depth. It’s not just about fermentation; it’s about transformation.
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a fan of immersive nonfiction, or someone drawn to stories of passion pursued with grit and grace, Crush offers a full-bodied experience with a lingering finish. It’s a toast to curiosity, craftsmanship, and the messy beauty of learning something deeply and well.
O’Connell dives into the gritty realities of winemaking such as fruit fly infestations, backbreaking labor, and the relentless pursuit of quality. His writing is grounded and engaging, demystifying the “fog of pretension” that often surrounds wine culture. He captures the tension between the ephemeral and the eternal—how a single vintage can reflect centuries of tradition and a winemaker’s soul.
One of the book’s resounding lines “Grapes, like people generally, have to suffer to achieve their potential.” encapsulates the memoir’s emotional depth. It’s not just about fermentation; it’s about transformation.
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a fan of immersive nonfiction, or someone drawn to stories of passion pursued with grit and grace, Crush offers a full-bodied experience with a lingering finish. It’s a toast to curiosity, craftsmanship, and the messy beauty of learning something deeply and well.
September 2, 2025
Loved reading of one man’s experience as a wine maker apprentice. As a result I went to my favorite PCC market and bought a bottle of Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley Oregon recommended by the wine expert at the store. It was delicious. I hadn’t tasted a Pinot Noir wine in quite some time. Glad I did! An enjoyable read. I highly recommend you read it to understand the entire process of being able to uncork a bottle and taste a great wine.
September 18, 2025
Crush is what you get when you braid together a writer, mountaineer, and wine maker: a fine story that is educational and well-written. I enjoyed reading this book and I learned so much about the intricacies of producing fine wine. A great book for wine enthusiasts.
November 17, 2025
The author has written a novel of his immersion into the world of wine making. I enjoyed the descriptions, the way he set scenes up so I could visualize them, and his hard work. This is an easy read, although contains some technical information that some readers may stumble over. My advice, skip over them and keep reading. I did find the author's habit of rehashing previously introduced matter a bit disconcerting. All in all, I enjoyed the book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews