As the weather turns, our favorite fall activity is pairing a good read with an equally good glass of wine. After all, October is National Book Month! Whether you're cozying up with some vino and your new fall favorite or hosting your monthly book club get together, here is the best book club wine based on what you’re reading.

Verity by Colleen Hoover & Obscura Petite Verdot

A psychological thriller blending the lines between fiction and reality, Verity tells the story of a struggling writer who finds herself in a sinister situation. Jeremy Crawford, husband of renowned author Verity Crawford, hires Lowen Ashleigh to complete his injured wife’s book. As she sorts through endless chicken scratch, she uncovers more than she bargained for. Should she share the family secrets that lie deep within Verity’s notes?

Pair Verity with our Obscura Petite Verdot. Much like the main character, you’ll unveil more flavors than you ever anticipated. This Petit Verdot shines with layers of complexity – bramble berries alongside flavors of mocha, spice, herbs, and earth.

Bright Cellars' Obscura Petite Verdot 

Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon & Chene Cremeux Chardonnay

This World War II novel tells the story of Nancy Wake, a New Zealander living in Paris. She takes on an entirely new identity as a British spy and finds her way to the top of the French Resistance. As she fights her way through the muck and chaos of war, you’ll find yourself rooting her every step of the way. Especially as she falls in love with Henri Fiocca, her husband-to-be

We can’t think of a better wine than our French inspired Chêne Cremeux Chardonnay. Warm and creamy like Henri and Nancy’s love story, this buttery Chardonnay will transport you to the streets of Paris and set the scene for a strong female character like Nancy.

The Every by Dave Eggers & Dead Stars and Black Holes Tannat

If you’re into tales of dystopian societies (or if you’re an avid watcher of Black Mirror), get yourself a copy of Dave Eggers’ The Every. It tells the story of a fictional search engine and social media site coming together to become an all encompassing conglomerate called ‘The Every.’ As employee Delaney Wells sets out on a quest to tear the monopoly down from the inside out, this novel will have you questioning your own daily choices (including every Google interaction and Amazon Prime order!)

Pair this eerie dystopian story with Dead Stars & Black Holes sustainably grown Tannat. It’ll make you feel like you’re doing your part to support small, sustainable growers rather than powerful, big businesses.

Orwell’s Roses by Rebecca Solnit & Sprig & Rose Pinot Grigio

As Solnit explores Orwell’s life from his English upbringing to serving in the Spanish Civil War, she reveals a clear motif of gardening. She covers Stalin’s fascination with lemon growing and novelist Jamaica Kinkaid’s view on colonialism, as told through the lens of a flower garden. This enlightening piece will have you second guessing each bloom and reexamining Orwell’s legacy, Nineteen Eighty-Four.

We’ve paired Orwell’s Roses with our Sprig & Rose Pinot Grigio, a California white wine with flavors of tart lemon, crisp green apple, and nectarine with a hint of honey. Each look at the label will further the floral motif, while each sip will send you further into a crisp sensory experience.

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney & Watchkeeper Sauvignon Blanc

Inspired by the line of a poem by Friedrich Schiller,‘Beautiful World, Where Are You’ follows the romantic entanglements of four main characters, two best friends and their romantic partners. From Rome to Dublin, these nearly 30-somethings explore the things that make life worth living - art, romance, sex, and friendship. A beautiful world, indeed.

This novel should be paired with something equally zesty and full of life. We recommend a glass of our Watchkeeper Sauvignon Blanc. This Yolo County Sauv Blanc is fresh and fruity, with flavors of citrus, pineapple, and fresh green herbs. The zippy acidity will leave you wanting another sip as you turn the page.

Survive the Night by Riley Sager & Crypsis Zinfandel

Charlie needs a ride home to Ohio, and luckily enough, Josh Baxter has a car. They meet through a campus ride board – harmless enough. Charlie’s world is already spinning over the murder of her best friend, who was claimed as the third victim of a serial killer running rampant on her college campus.

Josh is heading back to Ohio to care for his sick father, but the more time they spend together, the more Charlie notices something’s off. Is it possible she’s trapped in a car with none other than the Campus Killer? As the weave through backlit roads and neon signs, Charlie knows the only way forward is to survive the night.

Much like the spicy plot of Survive the Night, our Crypsis Zinfandel is beautifully aged with soft tannins and an elegant body. You’ll notice notes of bramble berries and dried fruits alongside a marked influence of oak, spice, and vanilla.

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty & Batik Chenin Blanc

If your mother was missing, and your father was the obvious suspect, would you call the police? The Delaneys are a quintessential family - they’re regulars on the tennis court, have been married for 50 years, and are the envy of the town. But one night, a stranger knocks on their door bleeding after an altercation with her boyfriend. When both the stranger and the matriarch of the family go missing, the family is split on whether or not Mr. Delaney is telling the police everything he knows.

Pair this exciting novel with something subtly sweet. Our Batik Chenin Blanc is the perfect introduction to fall flavors, with notes of fresh citrus and crisp orchard fruits like apple and pear. This wine is light in body with lifted acidity and subtle notes of honey and beeswax on the nose.

In Vino Finito

What are you reading these days? Let us know your favorite book and wine pairing in the comments!