In 1991, the J. Maki Winery at French Creek Ridge Vineyards in Pennsylvania was born. Just ten years later, this humble venture was honored with the most prestigious award in the industry: the gold medal for the world's best champagne in Paris, France. How does a small, northern winery beat out all the wineries in France, Italy, and California?

This book chronicles the story of Janet Maki whose fascination with plants took root during her childhood summers spent on her grandmother's farm in Ohio. This early childhood enchantment grew as she honed laboratory skills in medical research at the University of Pennsylvania.

She began exploring winemaking when a college friend started a vineyard in New York's Finger Lakes. Each harvest, she joined the grape-picking frenzy, pressed the grapes, and took the grapes home for late night winemaking experiments. With every batch, her knowledge and passion for the craft deepened. Naturally, Janet's next step was to begin her own vineyard.

This fascinating journey from those idyllic summer days to the glittering recognition of J. Maki Winery on the world's stage is a story of passion, relentless experimentation, and the pursuit of excellence and the American dream.