Terroir of Golf explores the profound connection between winemaking and golf course architecture through the lens of “terroir,” the French term for “land.” Author Dale reveals how natural landscapes inspire creativity and shape the artistry behind the world’s finest wines and golf courses . The book highlights iconic Scottish golf courses, the perspectives of winemakers and architects, professional golfers with their own wine label, and golf clubs with renowned wine cultures . Dale’s insightful interviews with winemakers and course designers reveal their shared reverence for terroir. They describe how soil, climate, and topography influence their crafts, transforming natural elements into unforgettable experiences. Featuring perspectives from celebrated designers like Tom Doak, Bill Coore, and David McLay Kidd , the book underscores the emotional depth and precision behind course architecture. Stunning photography and vivid descriptions transport readers to historic courses and vineyards, blending practicality with poetry and a sense of wonder. Beyond its rich content, Terroir of Golf is a work of art in itself. With over 200 contemporary color photographs, and numerous historic images, this 352-page luxurious coffee table book offers an elevated experience for a reader. Its aesthetic value and sophisticated design, crafted by award-winning book designer, Chic Harper, make it a treasure for collectors and golfers alike. Perfect for golf and wine enthusiasts, history buffs, and lovers of travel, Terroir of Golf is a celebration of life’s finer pleasures. It invites readers to savor the landscapes, history, and people who give rise to the world’s preeminent wines and golf courses . A must-read for anyone passionate about these interconnected worlds. Field Notes: Golf and grapes? A perfect pair Eight years in the making and 352 pages later, the coffee table book Terroir of Golf - A Golf Book For Wine Lovers has emerged. With each section of prose and stunning photographs, the book, authored by Taba Dale, serves as a reminder of the immense connection that many have with golf and grapes. Terroir is a French word that derives from the Latin terra, meaning earth, land or soil. Dale, who has also penned the travel books A Summer in Ireland and Golfers, Scotland Is Calling , says she regards wine and golf courses as living works of art. "Golf and the wine culture were kind of screaming at me," Dale says of why she spent almost a decade traveling and researching the book. "And it is totally cool to travel to these places and then discover the wine aspect of each golf destination. You went for the golf and then found there is an amazing wine component that is delightful to experience as well." Dale's last of five chapters in the hardback book is entitled "Golf Clubs and Resorts with a Strong Wine Culture." It highlights such locations as Adare Manor Resort in Ireland, Real Club Valderrama in Spain, The Course at Wente Vineyard in California and Whistling Rock Country Club in South Korea. She provides some amazing details of her visits to several of the clubs, which should be on every avid golfer's bucket list. "When we went to Adare Manor, the head sommelier took us into the wine cave and showed us how port tongs are used to open an old, expensive bottle of wine," Dale says. "The day we played Valderrama, I was fascinated by the gnarly bark of what turned out to be cork oak trees. This is where cork for wine bottles come from and the bark can be harvested and then regenerates itself. And at Whistling Rock in South Korea we were shown the 30,000-bottle wine cellar and 10,000-bottle tasting room. That blew me away." Want some inside info of professional golfers with their own wine labels? Dale provides close to 60 pages on how some of the greats of golf have made an impact on wine culture and its connection to the game. The list of pro golfers Dale highlights includes Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Gary Player, Annika Sorenstam, Cristie Kerr and Jan Stephenson. "I think the wine aspect marries so well with golf because the game is a social one and we love spending time with our golfing friends, sharing our on-course experiences, often with dinner and that is when the wine flows," Dale says. by David Droschak, Gold Travel Wire August 7, 2024 Terroir of Golf - book review by Tim Dickson Golf Quarterly Issue 52 Summer 2024 Terroir of Golf — This is a sumptuously-produced book (with 200+ photographs) that explores the synergies between golf and wine. It's an idea many golfers instinctively understand, of course, even if they are not able to articulate it, but author Taba Dale, a golf writer and tour operator who divides her time between Scottsdlae, Arizona and County Clare on the west coast of Ireland, has set out to make the connection explicit. Taba got the idea for her title when "bounding around" the magical landscapes of Shiskine on the Isle of Arran