Expert on Wineries of California and the Gold Rush, Don Baumgart, Interviewed

Norm Goldman, Editor of the travel site, and theencouraged to bring lunches. A call ahead will
book reviewing and author interviewing site,produce a waiting chilled bottle of wine to
interviews travel writer and author, Don Baumgartaccompany a picnic.
on Calfornia's wineries and the Gold Rush.Boeger Winery is nestled into an orchard, its
Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of is pleased totasting room in an old stucco-covered stone
have as our guest, Don Baumgart. Don is a freebuilding with a tin roof, built in 1872. Outside fig
lance writer and author of It Came From Citrustrees shade picnic tables, separated by a stone
Heights.wall from a trickling creek, inviting lunch bringers
Good day Don and thanks for agreeing toto the grounds.
participate in our interview.California's other wine country is producing wines
Norm:that are winning gold medals in expert judgings,
Don, could you tell our readers something aboutbringing some of the yellow metal back to its
your personal and professional background.homeland, and providing tasting opportunities to
When did your passion for writing begin? Whattravelers who discover its rich rewards.
keeps you going?Norm:
Don:When writing your travel articles, please explain
My first job out of college was working for thesome of your research techniques, and how you
Spokesman-Review in Spokane, a dailyfind sources for your articles?
newspaper Harry Truman described as theDon:
second worst paper in the U.S. I believe it hasGoing there is key. When I decide on a destination
improved some since then. I moved to SeattleI then query editors on their interest in possible
where I went to work for the Associated Press.articles. A trip to New Orleans produced a piece
I've always liked newspaper work because no daypublished by Porthole, a cruise ship magazine, on
brings the same stories. I drifted into publicwhat to do in the Big Easy before or after a
relations (for the money) and later worked forcruise from there. I subscribe to a weekly e-mail
the Sacramento Bee. Money for food and rentnewsletter, WritersWeekly.com, that provides a
keep me going. And, I really like to write.constant supply of information about publications
Norm:looking for writers. That has been quite helpful It's
I understand you are interested in the Californiawhere I found Porthole. I sold a piece on the
Gold Rush and you have written some articlesrailroad that runs along the Panama Canal to
pertaining to this topic. How did you becomeInternational Railway Traveler, a publication that
interested in the California Gold Rush? And, as ahad published an earlier article of mine on the
follow up, if one were to travel to California inNapa Valley Wine Train. When I have a travel
search of the areas where there were gold rushstory idea I run over, in my mind, the magazines
activities, where would one begin? What is therein which I have previously been published. That's
today by way of museums, etc? Could one plan aalways a good way to approach an editor:
trip solely based on the California Gold Rush?Remember me... Porthole took the New Orleans
Don:piece because I had earlier sold them an article on
When California commemorated its 150thFDR's former yacht, the Potomac, which has
anniversary I wrote a series of weekly Gold Rushbeen converted to a history cruise ship operating
history columns that I syndicated to newspapers.out of Oakland, California.
California's gold country generally runs alongNorm:
Highway 49 from Downieville south to Columbia.What's your advice to achieve success as a
Many locations have preserved buildings in theirwriter? What do you consider your first "break"
original state and there's a lot to see. In Nevadaas a writer? How do you come up with ideas for
City, Firehouse #1 has been taken over by thewhat you write? What methods do you use to
Nevada County Historical Society and made intoflesh out your idea to determine if it's salable?
an excellent small historical museum. A few milesDon:
further south, outside Grass Valley, the EmpireI define success as ink on paper, not money
Mine is run as a museum by the state, giving(although that's important, too.) I guess my first
visitors a good look at how hard-rock mining wasbreak was being hired by the Review as a
conducted once the surface nuggets had beenreporter when I applied for a non-writing job. I try
harvested. This mine produced $5 million in goldto pick very interesting places to visit, looking for
during its working life. Also in Grass Valley visitorsthe unusual, and trying to fit the potential story to
will find the North Star Powerhouse Museuma specific publication. Editors want short, well
where a 30 foot Pelton Wheel is on display. Thesewritten queries they can digest quickly. I never
wheels used water to generate power to runknow if a story idea is truly salable until I hear
mine equipment.back from an editor. And, I seldom write an
Norm:article until the idea is accepted, because each
I also understand that you are interested inpublication has individual writing requirements.
wineries. If you had to choose 8 of the mostNorm:
unique and romantic wineries you have visited,What does travel mean to you?
which ones would they be and why? Please brieflyDon:
describe them.Besides a chance to pay for my vacations, I think
Don:travel has a broader aspect: the opportunity to
Before Prohibition there were over 100 wineries inget away from one's everyday life and look back
the Sierra foothills. They disappeared when alcoholfrom a distance at what one takes for granted.
was outlawed. Now the growing of grapes andSome good insights come from the long look.
making of wine is fulfilling the prophecy of oneNorm:
Gold Rush era winemaker who said, "Gold is anHow have you used the Internet to boost your
important source of livelihood...but it will not last.writing career?
The wines will be more important."Don:
Nevada City Winery is housed in a tin buildingI used to get market tips from a monthly
dating from Gold Rush days and still markedmagazine now I get them weekly, online. And, of
"Foundry Garage." Horses drawing carriages clopcourse, the submission time is virtually nil. Push a
down the streets in Nevada City, past California'sbutton and the article is on the editor's screen.
oldest hotel and on through this charming goldResearch is another Internet bonus for today's
mining town preserved in its historic state. Atwriter. I wrote a book on restored historic trains,
night gas lights illuminate the quiet streets.The Ghosts That Roar, by doing a lot of the
Victorian homes converted to bed and breakfastpreliminary research online.
lodging in and around Nevada City make aNorm:
stopover delightfully restful.Besides writing for magazines, what other writing
Quality wines from other small foothill wineriesgigs have you found profitable or rewarding?
hold the promise of more good tasting. The AppleDon:
Hill country outside Placerville, in El Dorado County,Probably the most fun I have writing is the work
is a picturesque countryside dotted with wineries.I do for The Mountain Messenger, California's
A comfortable two-hour drive south from Nevadaoldest weekly newspaper, published in Downieville.
City on Highway 49 takes visitors past Sutter'sThe editor believes there is no such thing as
Mill, where gold was discovered, and deeper intoobjective reporting, as illustrated by his classic
California's other wine country.news story lead: If a journey of a thousand miles
El Dorado Winery, like most of Placerville's smallbegins with a single step, the Planning Commission
wineries, produces estate bottled wine -- theirhas picked out a pair of socks.
varieties are made from grapes grown in theirNorm:
own vineyards. Their vintages are only available atIs there anything else you wish to add that we
the winery or in local restaurants.have not covered?
At the Madrona Winery the comfortable woodDon:
paneled tasting room is decked with ribbons theirJust a plug for another book I wrote, It Came
wines have brought home. Outdoor picnic tablesFrom Citrus Heights. It's a science fiction travel
invite visitors to bring a picnic lunch andbook, about aliens who show up at a science
complement it with a bottle of wine from thefiction convention because, who would notice?
tasting room.More information can be found HERE
Lava Cap Winery's deck with picnic tablesThanks once again and good luck with all of your
overlooks the vineyards, and visitors arefuture endeavors.