WINELINE BOOKS APPEAL TO WINE BUFFS, NOVICES.

Byline: LARRY LIPSON

There appears to be a constant stream of wine books for armchair wine buffs as well as wine country travelers.

The latest includes "California Wine Country" (Sunset; $19.95), one of Sunset Publishing's Field Guide series, this one co-written by Sunset magazine wine editor Sara Schneider and editor at large Peter Fish.

This guide, handily slick-finished to avert wine-spill stains, offers 275 descriptions of wineries to visit as far south as Baja, Mexico, plus numerous suggestions on where to eat and stay. There are maps and even a short glossary of wine terms for novices, possibly so they can sound a bit more knowledgeable in a wine-tasting situation.

Also, George Rose, a nationally renowned photographer and vice president of public relations at Kendall-Jackson Winery, has utilized his picture-taking talents to produce "The Art of Terroir" (Chronicle Books; $24.95), with wine writer Rod Smith handling the text.

Rose's book, conveniently displaying about 80 shots taken at Kendall-Jackson's several estate vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Monterey and Santa Barbara counties, signifies in photogenic splendor the mystique of soil, light, air and water that makes up "terroir."

It's alluring enough to make one want to take off for the wine country.

NEW RELEASES: From Covey Run in Washington state comes its 2003 winemaker's collection syrah ($12.99) and three of its Quail series, a 2004 cabernet sauvignon and two 2005s, a pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc ($8.99 each). Information: www.coveyrun.com. ... Only 729 cases were made of Napa's Uvada 2002 merlot ($30). Not much around, but it can be purchased online at www.uvadawines.com. Information: [phone]. ... And even fewer cases, 300, of 25th anniversary Bravura red ($85), 50percent merlot and 50percent malbec, were made by Chateau Julien of Monterey County. As an added touch, a bottle from each vintage since the first was opened in 1982 and added to the Bravura blend. Available online at www.chateaujulien.com. Information: [phone]. ... There's plenty of Kendall-Jackson vintner's reserve 2006 sauvignon blanc ($11) and 2005 syrah around and available on retail shelves. Information: [phone] or www.kj.com. ... Speaking of a good sauvignon blanc, New Zealand's Monkey Bay has released its crisp 2006 along with a companion 2006 rose ($11 each). Information: www.monkeybaywine.com. ... And Geyser Peak unveils its first screw-cap wine, a 2006 Block collection sauvignon blanc ($21). There's also a 2004 Block collection cabernet sauvignon ($47), still cork-finished, from Walking Tree vineyard. Information: [phone] or www.geyserpeakwinery.com. ... And if you're a sauvignon blanc collector, the 2006 Angeline ($14) from Martin Ray says hello with its sibling release, the 2006 Martin Ray Mendocino pinot gris ($20). Information: [phone], or www.martinraywinery.com. ... A winery that's a model of consistency, Rodney Strong has sent out its 2005 Chalk Hill chardonnay ($20) and 2004 Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon ($25). Information: [phone] or www.rodneystrong.com. ... Also, Rodney Strong owner Tom Klein just introduced his new Sonoma Vineyards label with a 2005 chardonnay and a 2003 merlot ($14.99 each). Information: [phone] or www.svwines.com. ... Orogeny, makers of sound chardonnay and pinot noir from the Green Valley sub-appellation in Sonoma County, has released its 2005s of both, the pinot at $35 and the chard at $25. Information: www.diageowines.com. ... Look for the second release of reserve cabernet sauvignon from Rutherford Ranch by way of its 2003 ($30) along with its regular cab in the marketplace, the 2004 ($18). Information: [phone] or www.rutherfordwine.com.

SIPS AND NIBBLES: Understandably gloating about the number of awards it has won lately is South Coast Winery of Temecula, claiming to have snagged 36 medals so far in 2007. Information: [phone] or www.southcoastwinery.com. ... Speaking of Temecula, its local winegrowers association has scheduled its Winemakers Choice Weekend for Saturday and Sunday with 21 wineries participating. Cost is $83. Tickets: [phone] or www.temeculawines.org. ... Fleming's, the steakhouse chain known for its 100 wines by the glass, has introduced a mixed wine and vodka cocktail that it calls the "vinotini." Information: www.flemingssteakhouse.com. ... Competing with Marilyn merlot is the new Manatee merlot, the latter by Santa Barbara's Oreana Wine Co., available online at www.manateemerlot.com. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this wine goes to Save the Manatee Club. Information: [phone] or [phone].