On September 6, we’re raising a glass to National Book Day with a celebration of two timeless pleasures: great stories and great wine. To mark the occasion, we’ve created thoughtful pairings between Frank Family’s wines and some of today’s most beloved books, spanning every genre from romance to science fiction. Each bottle reflects the essence of the stories it accompanies—whether bold and expansive, light and whimsical, or layered with complexity.
To bring this idea to life, we visited Copperfield’s Books in Calistoga, our neighborhood bookstore and a longtime Napa Valley favorite, to gather a stack of page-turners worthy of both the season and your glass. Just as every Frank Family wine is rooted in a sense of place, these books offer journeys that linger long after the last page is turned.
2024 Leslie Rosé & One Golden Summer
There is a certain romance in summer stories—those fleeting moments that shimmer with possibility and linger long after the season has passed. Carley Fortune’s One Golden Summer captures that feeling beautifully, weaving a tale of love, nostalgia, and second chances against the backdrop of sunlit days.
It is a story best accompanied by our 2024 Leslie Rosé, a wine that embodies elegance and charm in every sip. Crafted from Pinot Noir grown in the cool Carneros region, this delicate rosé offers notes of ripe strawberry, peach blossom, and citrus zest. Much like Fortune’s prose, it is at once vibrant and tender, evoking the effortless allure of summer romance. Together, the novel and the wine invite you to savor the fleeting, golden moments that define both the season and the heart.
2022 Lewis Vineyard Chardonnay & The Women
Kristin Hannah’s The Women is a sweeping novel that illuminates the courage and resilience of female nurses during the Vietnam War; an untold chapter of history brought vividly to life. Rich in detail and emotion, it is a story of strength, sacrifice, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
Such a narrative deserves a wine of equal depth and character. Our 2022 Lewis Vineyard Chardonnay, grown in Napa’s famed Carneros region, is a wine of precision and grace, offering layers of citrus, stone fruit, and a delicate oak finish. Much like Hannah’s prose, it lingers long after the first taste, carrying a complexity that rewards reflection. Together, book and bottle honor the timelessness of stories that shape our understanding of the past.
2019 Brut Rosé & Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
Grady Hendrix has become a master of horror with a sly, satirical edge, and Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is no exception. Twisting small-town secrets with supernatural suspense, the novel grips readers with equal parts dread and dark humor. It’s a story where every page simmers with tension—wicked, unsettling, and impossible to put down.
To mirror this play between light and shadow, we’ve paired it with our 2019 Brut Rosé, a sparkling wine that balances elegance with intrigue. Its vibrant red berry notes and refined structure create a striking contrast, much like Hendrix’s ability to weave beauty into the macabre. Chilling yet captivating, this pairing invites you to raise a glass to the thrill of a well-told ghost story.
2022 Napa Valley Cabernet & First Lie Wins
Ashley Elston’s First Lie Wins is a razor-sharp thriller that pulls readers into a world of deception, shifting identities, and dangerous secrets. Every chapter delivers a new revelation, quickening the pace until the very last page. It’s a novel of high stakes and constant tension—the kind of story that keeps you questioning what’s true and what’s cleverly disguised.
For a book built on power and intrigue, the pairing is our 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Structured and expressive, this wine brims with dark fruit, baking spice, and polished tannins, echoing the intensity and depth of Elston’s storytelling. Just as the novel holds you captive with each turn, the Cabernet commands your attention with its richness and complexity.
2019 Blanc de Blancs & Mad Sisters of Esi
Tashan Mehta’s Mad Sisters of Esi whisks readers into a richly imagined realm where magic, adventure, and sisterhood intertwine. The story’s vibrant characters and whimsical twists make every chapter a journey into the unexpected, a world both fantastical and deeply human.
Pairing this tale with our 2019 Blanc de Blancs elevates the experience. Crisp, sparkling, and luminous, the wine mirrors the novel’s effervescence and sense of wonder. Notes of green apple, citrus, and delicate floral undertones create a sip that is as enchanting and playful as the story itself. Together, book and bottle invite you to lose yourself in a world of imagination, where every page and every pour sparkles with possibility.
2022 The Riley & James
Percival Everett’s James is a masterclass in literary storytelling—layered, insightful, and deeply reflective. With its nuanced exploration of identity, morality, and human complexity, the novel challenges and rewards readers in equal measure, offering a narrative that lingers long after the final page.
To complement its depth, we pair this work with our 2022 The Riley, a wine that embodies elegance and sophistication. Rich with balanced tannins, dark fruit notes, and subtle hints of oak, The Riley mirrors the novel’s complexity and contemplative character. Together, the book and wine invite a moment of introspection—a pairing that celebrates the art of storytelling and the craft of winemaking in perfect harmony.
2020 Rouge & The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a mesmerizing tale of fame, love, and the complexities of a Hollywood legend. Through the lens of Evelyn Hugo’s seven marriages, Reid crafts a narrative rich in passion, ambition, and the price of stardom.
To complement this tale of allure and complexity, we pair it with our 2020 Rouge, a sparkling wine that embodies elegance and depth. This Méthode Champenoise blend, crafted from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Petite Sirah, presents a bouquet of raspberries, wild roses, and forest herbs. The palate reveals harmonious layers of fresh fruitiness and tartness, accentuated by a creamy vanilla mousse and mouthwatering acidity. Balanced to perfection, it concludes with lingering bursts of pomegranate and wild berries. Together, the novel and the wine offer an indulgent escape into a world of glamour and intrigue.
2022 Napa Valley Zinfandel & The Ministry of Time
Kaliane Bradley’s The Ministry of Time is a gripping science fiction tale that bends the boundaries of past, present, and future. With a story that traverses eras and explores the consequences of altering time, it’s a narrative full of suspense, intellect, and imaginative scope.
Paired with our 2022 Napa Valley Zinfandel, this novel comes alive in a new dimension. Rich and expressive, the wine offers bold dark fruit notes, hints of spice, and a balanced structure that mirrors the tension and complexity of Bradley’s storytelling. Together, the book and the Zinfandel invite readers to immerse themselves in a world where every twist of fate is savored like a finely crafted sip, making for a science fiction experience that is as thrilling as it is memorable.
2019 Winston Hill & Demon Copperhead
Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead is a masterful exploration of resilience, identity, and the intricate tapestry of human experience. Through vivid characterization and layered storytelling, Kingsolver paints a world that is at once harsh and deeply moving, offering readers a narrative rich with emotion, insight, and unforgettable moments.
To complement this profound story, we pair it with our 2019 Winston Hill Red Blend. Bold, structured, and nuanced, the wine presents notes of dark cherry, cassis, and subtle baking spices, with polished tannins that echo the complexity of Kingsolver’s prose. Together, book and wine invite a contemplative experience—savoring every chapter as you would every sip of this exceptional blend.
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