Written by Sam (@_bookstasam)
It’s no surprise that local Charlottesville and Albemarle County wines have finally been getting the attention they deserve -- but deserving of equal attention, is the impressive number of bookshops, pop-up booksellers, poets-for-hire, events, and well-known authors that Charlottesville contains.
Here’s a curated list of some of my favorite authors with Charlottesville roots—perfectly paired with standout wines from the Monticello AVA.
Author Elizabeth Becker, an Ivy local, says her debut novel, ‘Moonlight Healers,’ is a love letter to nurses everywhere. It’s also a lovely story of mothers and daughters and the way inherited gifts - magical or not - can take new shape from generation to generation. This book deserves to be paired with a similarly cheerful wine, Chiswell Farm & Winery’s Sparkling Rose. The fruit-forward Rose reminded me of the Crozet orchard on which much of the book is set. The book, like the wine, is feminine and lush while still maintaining complexity.
Local author Jocelyn Nicole Johnson’s short story collection, ‘My Monticello,’ was first published in 2021. It is made up of six distinct stories, with ‘Control Negro,’ clocking in at close to 150 pages and standing out in my mind. Nevertheless, each piece is strong and demonstrative of Johnson's range as a writer. I enjoy dystopian fiction in general, but recognizing so much of my own surroundings in this very realistic near-future hellscape was next level. I think this book will pair with an exciting but down-to-Earth wine like The Parallax Project’s red blend, ‘What’s That?', a unique blend of Tannat, Petit Manseng and Chardonel grapes packed with tart fruit flavors.
‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ is a funny, warm and heart-wrenching book authored by Rufi Thorpe, a 2009 graduate of UVA’s creative writing MFA program. The action kicks off when the titular protagonist gets pregnant with her college professor’s baby. Margo Millet decides to drop out of college and raise the baby.
‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ is a great reminder that families of all configurations can be valid and loving. It takes a village, and every villager has something to offer to the next generation. I’m pairing the Millet family with Loving Cup Vineyard and Winery's Sparkling Rosé. Like Margo, this Pét-Nat Rosé is unpretentious and easy to love. It has personality without trying too hard and is a wine you can drink to celebrate something special or enjoy after a long day!
‘Dearest’ is a true horror novel. It’s fast-paced with short chapters that practically beg you to keep reading past your bedtime, possibly under the covers with a flashlight. Written by Jacquie Walters, a 2011 graduate of the College of Arts & Sciences, ‘Dearest’ is a fabulous example of the mom noir subgenre and is a perfect fit for your Virginia-centric fall reading list. I think it pairs nicely with the Mourvèdre from Stinson Vineyards, a decadent wine that’s rich and smooth yet easy-to-drink.
Although usually associated with Mississippi, many readers don’t know that William Faulkner was UVA’s first ever writer-in-residence in the 1950s. In fact, some members of the Faulkner family put down roots in the area -- his grandson, Paul Summers, owns Knight’s Gambit Vineyard, which is named for a collection of Faulkner’s short stories. For all of these reasons and more, I chose the Alexandra Cuvee from Knight’s Gambit Vineyard for this pairing. This full-bodied Petit Verdot is fruit-forward but complex enough to give you something to ponder as you read.
You may have read ‘The Sound and the Fury’ or ‘As I Lay Dying’ in school, but Faulkner’s later and lesser-known works are also worth the effort. His 1940 book, ‘The Hamlet,’ is an exploration of the impoverished and eccentric Snopes family in fictional Yoknapatawpha County. It was later expanded into a short series — now known as the ‘Snopes’ trilogy. The trilogy’s second book, ‘The Town,’ was published shortly after Faulkner relocated, and the bulk of the third book, ‘The Mansion,’ was written while he lived in Charlottesville!
'Death of a Racehorse' is authored by Katie Bo Lillis, a 2009 graduate of UVA’s College of Arts and Sciences. Lillis, a journalist by trade with a background in horse racing, perfectly married her two passions in telling this story. I think the ethical dilemma at the heart of “Death of a Racehorse” needs a bold, complex wine pairing, like the Meritage from the equally horse-centric King Family Vineyards.
Oprah’s Book Club got it right... UVA English Professor Bruce Holsinger’s latest novel, ‘Culpability,’ was the book of the summer! A perfect blend of family drama and legal thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. ‘Culpability’ is best enjoyed with an equally nuanced and powerful wine, which is why I’m pairing it with the Petit Verdot from Veritas Vineyards and Winery. This single varietal bottle is deep, structured, and intellectual with dark berry, leather, and tobacco notes that mirror the book’s morally complex characters and tangled plotlines. It’s a wine that commands your attention -- just like Holsinger’s prose!
I was super excited to learn that Emily Giffin, one of the titans of chick lit, is a UVA Law School graduate. I loved her early books like ‘Something Borrowed’ and ‘Love the One You’re With,’ especially when I was in my teens and 20’s. This summer, I picked up her latest novel, ‘The Summer Pact,’ which finds four college roommates fully grown and navigating the complexities of adult life while still finding strength in their shared bond. This book pairs beautifully with Blenheim Vineyards' Sauvignon Blanc. I found this wine to be refreshing and fruit-forward with flavors of grapefruit and lime.
In the likely event that your Virginia wine travels take you to nearby Crozet, make sure to stop by Bluebird & Co. and peruse the local authors featured on their shelves. In addition to new and used books, this cheerful little shop also sells women’s clothing, gifts, and accessories, making it a perfect pit-stop for locals and visitors alike. Check their events calendar before you visit, as they regularly host book clubs and author talks.
Stop by for a day filled with authors (33 to be exact), books, coffee, and more! Activities include workshops, readings, and meet the author events. 👉 Check out the official schedule here
Commerce Street Books, Charlottesville’s newest bookstore, is a must-visit for book lovers. Located inside The Doyle Hotel, this cozy and well-curated shop features a variety of new fiction, nonfiction titles, and an impressive stock of books with local connections. Store owner Philip Lorish and his staff are super-knowledgeable about all things bookish, but readers with a special interest in books about religion and philosophy will want to prioritize this cozy little shop. Check out their website for a list of store events and book clubs.
Stop in for the first meeting of ‘Read Between the Wines.’ a book club that pairs Virginia wine with Virginia authors! Hosted by yours truly in partnership with The Monticello Wine Trail – this event will feature Jacquie Walters’ ‘Dearest,’ paired with Stinson Vineyards’ Mourvedre, which will be available for tasting.
Daedalus Used Bookshop is the place to be for all manner of pre-loved books. Originally founded in 1974 and having recently gone through some renovations, Daedalus is a three-story labyrinthine collection of used books that must be seen to be believed. Make sure peruse the shelf of rare, autographed and early editions of some favorite novels on the first floor.
Sometimes the best reads are the ones found spontaneously in a Little Free Library. Thankfully, Charlottesville has its fair share of free book boxes, with nearly 20 locations in walking distance of the charming Belmont neighborhood. One of my favorite ways to spend a fall afternoon is to pop my headphones in and take my cockapoo for a long walk around Monticello Avenue, Blenheim Avenue, and downtown Belmont to visit the local Little Free Libraries and find treasure. I’ve found countless Barbara Kingsolver titles and classic novels this way – just be sure to share some books with others, too! 👉 Use This Map to Plan Your Route
Conveniently located near 5th Street Station and minutes from the Downtown Mall, the Virginia Wine Collective was opened by Eastwood Farm and Winery earlier this year. This production space and tasting room allows for smaller, independent winemakers to get their product in front of consumers while greatly reducing the costs usually associated with independent winemaking. This further supports innovation and talent in the Monticello AVA. The first floor of the tasting room features a bar and some cozy seats and tables to gather with friends. The second floor overlooks the production area and gives guests a bird's-eye view of the winemaking process, as independent winemakers like Jake Busching and Dogwood & Thistle bring their product to life in one of the nine winemaker suites. I think this would be an excellent place to get comfortable with a glass of wine and a book during harvest season. Pro tip: order the burrata, it’s excellent.
When the weather is nice, you can’t beat a picnic at King Family Vineyards in Crozet. With 46 acres of lush farmland, there are plenty of places to roll out your picnic blanket and enjoy a good book. King Family planted their first vines back in 1998 and have the experience to ensure every wine is something special. I love their reds and whites, but I look forward to the annual release of the Crozet rosé all year. Make sure to check the events calendar on their website before visiting. King Family is known for their polo grounds as well as their wines - it’s always a treat to see the horses!
These are just a few of the great wineries, bookshops, and reading nooks around Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Explore the Wineries Page for a full list of vineyards and the Events Page for all the upcoming events in the area – filterable by category! For more book recommendations, head over to my Instagram page where I share all my latest reads. Do you have a recommendation for a book and wine pairing? Let me know!
Sam (@_bookstasam on Instagram)
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