Sandy Hill has climbed the "seven summits," the highest mountain on every continent, toured the Arctic by sea kayak, and ridden across Kenya on horseback. She owns a vineyard in California, and throws parties that are the talk of whatever town she's in. So it's no wonder that, for her, memorable entertaining is not about the easy this and store-bought that. It's about inspiration and preparation, and making your guests co-conspirators. At these parties energy flows both ways, from prepared and inspired hostess to willing and participating guest, where everyone sings or cooks or rides for his or her supper, and then talks about it for years to come. The results range from the intimate to the ultimate—rowboat suppers for two and July Fourth blowouts for hundreds—with 125 great recipes that run the gamut from traditional American and Mexican to rustic Italian, Spanish, Indian, and Scottish, each paired with a wine or beer.

Here is inspired, imaginative entertaining from one of the leading arbiters of taste and style in a spectacular, oversized package that captures the essence of these delicious celebrations and reveals the beauty of California's wine country.