A new book celebrates small, family-owned wineries and the heart of Napa Valley
April 13, 2026 (St. Helena, CA) — On December 31, 2024, Napa Valley resident Pat Schoof and her husband made a New Year’s resolution: visit 52 wineries in 52 weeks, with a focus on small and family-owned producers throughout Napa Valley. What began as a simple goal quickly evolved into something more. Driven by curiosity and connection, they ultimately visited 65 wineries over the course of the year. Then, Pat wrote a guidebook so others could also enjoy wineries like Bremer Family Winery, Brown Estate, Denali Estate, Fontanella Family Winery, Karl Lawrence Cellars, Navone Family Wine,The Terraces, Tres Sabores, Zakin Estate and Zeitgeist Cellars.Inspired by the storytelling journey in Julie & Julia, where Julie Powell cooked her way through Julia Child’s iconic recipes, The Schoofs set out on a different kind of year-long challenge, one rooted in wine, community, family, and discovery.
Each visit offered more than a tasting. It revealed the stories behind the wines. From multi-generational family histories and passionate winemakers to unique experiences like ATV vineyard tours, singing host and local olive oil and balsamic tastings, every stop showcased the personal touches that make Napa Valley’s smaller wineries so distinctive.
“Like Julie’s journey through cooking, this became a story of connection and discovery,” said Schoof. “We didn’t just go wine tasting. We built friendships with winemakers and hosts and experienced the incredible sense of community that defines Napa Valley.”These experiences are captured in her new book, Cheers to Napa Valley – 52 Memorable Wine Tasting Experiences, which offers readers an intimate and approachable guide to Napa Valley. The book highlights a curated selection of wineries while also providing practical insights, including which locations that are kid- and dog-friendly and which offer Napa Neighbors discounts.
Beyond a guidebook, Schoof hopes the project will inspire readers to explore beyond the well-known destinations and support smaller wineries. “As a resident of St. Helena, I’ve seen firsthand how the community is evolving,” Schoof added. “This book is my way of giving back, encouraging visitors to discover the place I love and create a sense of community.”
After a 30+ year career in human resources, Schoof recently retired and turned her focus toward supporting the Napa Valley community through wine and meaningful connections. You can find Schoof running on the Napa Valley Vine Trail with her friends; spending “porch” time with wine, her Bernese Mountain Dog and husband; tending to “hobby” vines at her home or spending time traveling with family and friends.
Cheers to Napa Valley – 52 Memorable Wine Tasting Experiences is now available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTQCLWLT
