I apologize if any of my book recommendations are not in-line with what the OP is seeking.
I have a handful of books on wine, mostly covering California stuff:
• The Oxford Companion to Wine, 3rd Ed (2006), Jancis Robinson
An incredibly useful “dictionary” of wine terms, whether places, procedures, or grape varieties; the author(s) are not objective in all topics, which can spice up an otherwise dry reference book.
• Vine Grapes & Wines: The Wine Drinker’s Guide to Grape Varieties (1992), Jancis Robinson and Mitchell Beazley
Since I didn’t have the $$$ to fork over for Ms Robinson’s most recent tome on the grape varieties that make up bottles of wine, I happily discovered this older, less comprehensive reference book.
• A Companion to California Wine (1998), Charles Sullivan
A great read, though most of the figures are out of date 20 years later; I now find myself seeking its treasure-trove of info more than any other book in this list.
• The New California Wine: A Guide to the Producers and Wines Behind a Revolution in Taste (2013), Jon Bonné
A quick, but useful, read; I imagine that “who’s hot” texts like this are doomed to obsolescence more rapidly than most other books on wine.
• American Rhône: How Maverick Winemakers Changed the Way Americans Drink (2016), Patrick J Comiskey
Unlike the previous entry, I believe that this entry will remain relevant for years to come, as the human story of how America found, lost, and rediscovered the red and white grapes from France’s Rhône will provide readers with an in-depth, yet light-hearted contemplation on how particular grapes catch the attention of the drinking public.
• Wines of the Rhône Valley: A Guide to Origins (1987), Robert W. Mayberry
I sought out this book after finishing Mr Comiskey’s history; just as he says in American Rhône, this book provides sketches of countless wineries, even mentioning the proportions of different varieties in the named wines. I can see how this book once served as a “cheat-sheet” for winemakers new to Grenache, Syrah, etc.
• French Country Wines (1990), Rosemary George
This author provides a travelogue through nooks and crannies of southern France, shining a light on countless underappreciated regions, varieties, and wineries along the way.
• Monks and Wine (1979), Desmond Seward
The history of wine in Europe is so intertwined with the establishment of monasteries that it was easy for me to avoid reading a book like this for years. I learned a great amount about the “why’s” and “how’s” of European (re: French and German) wine via the concise, clear prose of this work’s author.
• History of the Sonoma Viticultural District, The Grape Growers, the Wine Makers, and the Vineyards (Comprising Sonoma, Marin, Lake, Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, and Siskiyou Counties) (1998), Ernest Peninou
“If a wine aficionado happens to be interested in the history of the source of his/her Sonoma/Northern California wines, I doubt that there exists a more comprehensive exploration of the entire region mentioned in this book’s title. There are some areas/townships that do not receive sufficiently in-depth coverage, yet I remain awestruck by the level of research necessary to produce a work like this. There may never be a more ambitious effort of documenting for the general public a historic layout of the agricultural heritage of California (this title is apparently only one of several).”
• Table Wines: The Technology and Their Production, 2nd Edition (1970), MA Amerine & MA Joslyn
“Yes, THAT Amerine wrote this highly technical, and out-dated tome. I cannot recommended it to non-winemakers, since the work is almost akin to the dreaded VCR manuals of the 1980’s. Still, I found it to provide a neat snapshot of the culture of scientific winemaking. Who knows how many aspiring vintners have a dusty copy of this book on their shelves?”
• Vineyards in the Sky: The Life of Legendary Vintner Martin Ray (1993), Eleanor Ray & Barbara Marinacci
“After reading Charles Sullivan’s Like Modern Edens, I sought out any text which might help me understand the history of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the contributions Martin Ray made to California winemaking. As this biography is written by the widow of Mr Ray, I anticipated there may be occasional flights of nostalgia. My impression of Vineyards in the Sky is best expressed by the chorus of The Vandals’ ‘Aging Orange’:
‘Cuz I invented socks
and I invented gravy
I made up the cotton gin
but no one ever paid me’”
• A Zinfandel Odyssey (2001), Rhoda Stewart
“I bought this one, after finishing David Darlington’s work, on a quest to find as much information as possible about Zinfandel (but not focused on the genetic homeland of the grape). There are the inherently out-dated tasting impressions of wines made, and consumed, years ago. However, the real value of Ms Stewart’s coffee-table-sized, glossy-paged, picture-laden book is in her skill of making the reader feel as though one is there, surveying panoramic vistas of vine-covered valleys; sharing sandwiches with winemakers at a picnic table under the shade of an old tree; leaning closer to hear every word spoken by an wizened vineyard owner as a third bottle of Zin is popped. The author’s Odyssey takes the reader from Cucamonga to San Luis Obispo, to the Sierra Foothills, Lodi, Contra Costa, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, and Napa. Two of my favorite parts involve legendary winemakers. Joel Peterson shares insight into his thoughts on aging bottles of Zinfandel, old vineyard sites versus younger ones, and his attraction to a grape that virtually has become synonymous with his name (as well as Ravenswood). Meanwhile, Paul Draper relays his history in selecting small oak barrels when other Californian vintners were conservatively clinging to the larger models. Stewart relates an anecdote of Draper’s where he travels to Arkansas, insists on buying seven-year-old American oak staves, and supervises moderate gas-fired toasting for the Ridge barrels.”
• Zin: The History & Mystery of Zinfandel (2001, formerly Angels’ Visits, 1991), David Darlington
“Mr Darlington is one of my favorite wine writers, having read several of his articles in the Wine & Spirits magazine. Zin is a travelogue of sorts, yet I love this book for the intimate details it shares. The journey to create his own pet-project bottling of a Beaujolais-style Zinfandel brings you into the ‘daily grind’ of winemaking, in a way. Much love is deservedly heaped upon Mr Joel Peterson (a young MTP steals the spotlight a couple of times, hinting at the genius many Berserkers now appreciate). As the author journeys to vineyards, restaurants, and tasting groups, the reader’s appreciation of a finished bottle of wine is expanded. When so much can ruin months of hard work, the act of sharing a bottle of wine with a friend becomes a minor miracle in itself.”
I hope that some Berserker reads at least one of the texts I have suggested. Whether or not you agree with my reviews, I only wish to make available a handful of books that expanded my understanding and love for wine.