NEW YORK TIMES BEST WINE BOOK OF 2021

2022 James Beard Award Nominee, Best Beverage without Recipes Book

Longlisted for the 2021 André Simon Food and Drink Book Awards

Wide World of Wines “Wine Book of the Year”

“[A] delightful grape-filled tour of the country … and a deep dive into the ancient art of talha winemaking, where grapes are crushed by foot, then fermented in large clay vessels that are eventually sealed over with a paste made of resin, olive oil, and beeswax. For those curious about the wider world of wine, this sweeping history will bear fruit.” —Publishers Weekly

“The cover image of bare feet stomping grapes in a lagar, the traditional shallow stone basin for treading fruit, beckons you to dive in. The book, which reads like a love letter to the country’s winegrowers, serves as a jumping-off point to consider the topic of red blends.” —Ellen Bhang, The Boston Globe

“If have to name my Wine Book of the Year, then there is only one real candidate … [Foot Trodden] is immaculately produced and special mention must be made of the brilliant photography of Opaz. Woolf is a compelling writer on any subject, able to blend a story with the required facts and analysis. But most of all, this is a wine book which is just right for the time. Always under-appreciated, Portugal seems finally to have gathered a critical mass of younger artisans who have a focus on their country’s traditions, whilst equally having learnt lessons from modern European wine. This is the perfect time for these stories to be told. I am sure that Foot Trodden will do the same for Portugal as Amber Revolution did for “orange” wines.” —Wide World of Wines

“A terrific trip to Portugal: Punchy, evocative, and filled with great stories … dressed with Ryan Opaz’s superb photography … the book taps into much that is beloved of Portuguese wine … The authors have written a great book that reinforces the importance of supporting independent wine producers, most especially those who are actively preserving traditional grapes and authentic local styles.”—The World of Fine Wine

“Exquisite … elegant design and layout … evocative, almost emotional photography by Ryan Opaz. It’s a clarion call. It’s an eloquent, heartfelt cry to the world to wake up and take action to support the ‘small guys’ who are sweating blood and tears, often putting their very living on the line, to turn the tide of industrial, placeless wine in Portugal.”—jancisrobinson.com

“Simon and Ryan are experts at hunting down the stories that link iconic winemakers and terroirs to history, politics, and culture. So who better to illuminate the secrets of Portugal’s little understood but compelling wines?” —Elin McCoy, Bloomberg/Decanter

“Age old traditions are the basis of Portugal’s modern wine movement. Simon’s and Ryan’s new book is an opportunity to discover why Portugal’s wine diversity is so exciting.” —André Ribeirinho, Adegga/Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine Guide

“A pivotal narrative digging through the deep roots of Portugal”s ancient traditions. Insightfully portrayed by Simon J. Woolf’s impeccable writing and the detailed eye of Ryan Opaz.” —Bruno Almeida, Certified Master Sommelier/New York

“As a long-time lover of Portuguese wine, I’m excited to see this new book. A beautifully creative endeavour that looks set to introduce a new public to Portugal’s remarkable wine scene.” —Jamie Goode, The Wine Anorak

“Opaz and Woolf have a sure touch. A thoughtful exploration of winemaking in modern Portugal, and a very good read.” —Charles Metcalfe, International Wine Challenge