For two years photographer Charles O’Rear and his writer wife, Daphne Larkin, lived a vagabond life, bumping along country roads, breathing in summer dust and sheltering from spring rains as they criss-crossed the nation searching out unexpected wineries.

The story of the wine industry in 2007 continues to be one of old-timers and newcomers, new ideas and new wines and a couple of legislative efforts — one finished and one that will continue into 2008.

We’ve all heard the expression, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

 Patrick Sullivan is the new winemaker at Rudd Winery in Yountville. He fills the position left vacant earlier this year when Charles Thomas moved to Quintessa Winery.