On the Book Shelf – Vertical: Passion and Pinot on the Oregon Wine Trail by Rex Pickett

Remember Miles and Jack from Sideways? They’re finally back in Rex Pickett’s new book, Vertical: Passion and Pinot on the Oregon Wine Trail. As a sequel to our favorite wine story Sideways, the book and movie that helped move Pinot Noir to the front of the tasting table, wine lovers craving another hilarious, yet heartwarming story with plenty of raucous adventures now have it. Rex Pickett delivers.

Vertical: Passion and Pinot on the Oregon Wine Trail is a story about relationships as much as it is about wine.

Because of the success of his book, Shameless, Miles is finally making a living and has been asked to speak at the upcoming International Pinot Noir Celebration in Oregon. However, an entourage joins him. Miles’ mother, who deplores the nursing home she’s been sent to after her stroke, has begged Miles to take her to Sheboygan, Wisconsin to live with her sister and reluctantly, he agrees to do so. Tagging along with Mom, is her dog, Snapper, and Joy, her pot-smoking caregiver. Needing more than a fair amount of support for what he has dubbed the “harebrained, cockamamie Oregon/Wisconsin/invalid journey”, Miles bribes good ‘ole buddy, Jack, with plenty of cash to join the ride. There are a few more relationships to discover along the way as this unusual group has some of the most wacky, madcap adventures yet!

And there’s wine…plenty of it. From go-cups and flasks in the car, to Miles’ episode of dumping a bucket of wine over his head to, well, use your imagination, wine is on almost every page. Pickett takes the opportunity, though, to share interesting and useful factoids about our favorite fruit of the vine throughout the book: before, during and after the craziness. The Vertical Vocabulary (perfect!) and Itinerary of Wines and Locations (actual places we can visit!) are a real treat at the end.

I loved discovering another side of Miles as his relationships with Jack, Joy, and his Mom progress; the conclusion is poignant and fitting.  You may just forgive Miles for the insanity that ensued during the first 381 pages while you continue laughing at Pickett’s incredibly entertaining, well-written story.

Vertical: Passion and Pinot on the Oregon Wine Trail is available at Loose Gravel Press and soon on  Amazon.com. 

Cheers! ~ Cindy

Note: I was sent an advanced copy of Vertical: Passion and Pinot on the Oregon Wine Trail by Loose Gravel Press for review.

Publisher’s Note: “This newly revised and re-edited edition is copyrighted 2016. The previous version was released with a very limited print run and limited financial resources. The current publisher bought the copyright with a commitment of more capital to promote and distribute the book, and added New Yorker style illustrations to highlight the specialness of this work.”