The book and wine club now reaches readers from coast to coast and offers a thoughtful holiday gift for the readers and wine lovers on every list.
October 7, 2026 (Sonoma, CA) — Novel Pairings, a membership that artfully pairs each month’s book selection with a complementary wine and a curated playlist, is re-introducing itself to readers nationwide with more reasons to join ahead of the holiday season. Launched in Sonoma in May 2025, Novel Pairings has grown into a book club with members reading along from California to North Carolina, with growing communities in Michigan, Georgia, and Arizona, and a 93% renewal rate.
Founded by Erin Kirschenmann, Managing Editor of Wine Business Monthly, WSET Diploma holder and Napa Valley Wine Academy instructor, Novel Pairings grew out of her decade-long habit of pairing wine with whatever she was reading. Every month, Kirschenmann selects the book, pairs the wine, builds the playlist, and hosts the conversation, so that members simply pour a glass and show up.
“Reading can feel solitary, but for me it’s always been the start of a conversation. The best part of finishing a book is talking about it with friends and family,” said Kirschenmann. “I started Novel Pairings to take those conversations beyond my own personal network and build a community across the country, full of fresh perspectives. Members who might never have met now look forward to talking every month. It’s a book club without borders, and there’s always room for one more reader.”
Readers can join Novel Pairings in three ways:
The Book Club: First and foremost, the Book Club is a community of avid readers, and of people who need a little motivation to carve out time for a good book. Each month, members receive a book selection, with suggestions on where to borrow or buy it, along with a wine pairing and a curated playlist. The month wraps with a live virtual discussion that is as engaging as it is relaxed: nobody needs to finish the book, know anything about wine, or even drink it to join in. Membership includes a members-only online community, creative challenges, and virtual wine workshops, and costs $10.99 per month or $114 per year.
The Wine Club: For wine lovers, the Wine Club delivers a quarterly shipment of three to four bottles chosen to complement the Book Club’s upcoming selections. Kirschenmann sources from smaller producers around the world, many without wide distribution, so each shipment holds something members won’t find on a grocery store shelf. Wine Club members also receive the book selections and playlists, making it a good fit for anyone who prefers to read at their own pace without the monthly meetup. Shipments are $90 to $140 (shipping included) and are delivered to most states through SocialSomm. The Wine Club is open to anyone; no Book Club membership is required.
Events: In-person gatherings at wineries across California wine country, along with virtual tastings and workshops, bring the community together. All events to date have sold out. Next up is Booked & Bottled on Saturday, November 21, 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Coursey Graves Estate Winery on Bennett Mountain in Sonoma County. The holiday afternoon of books and wine includes a “blind date with a book” wrapping station, where each guest receives a mystery book and wraps it to keep or give as a holiday gift. Tickets are $60, or $45 for Novel Pairings and Coursey Graves club members.
Novel Pairings also hosts two recurring event series at different wineries in Sonoma County and beyond: Pages & Pours is a silent reading group where guests bring what they’re reading, stay as long as they like, and leave with a recommendation. Plot Twists & Pinot is the flagship event, with books, wine, games, a book swap, and community, all at a beautiful vineyard.
View the full event calendar and buy tickets at novel-pairings.com/events.
The Gift That Keeps Giving
Novel Pairings offers gifts for book and wine lovers all year long. Book Club gift membership options include three months ($32.97), six months ($65.94), or a full year ($114). Gift memberships are available at novel-pairings.com/gifts. Wine Club gift subscriptions are available by emailing hello@novelpairings.club.
About Novel Pairings
Novel Pairings is a book and wine club founded in Sonoma, California, in May 2025 by wine journalist Erin Kirschenmann. Book Club members get a monthly book and wine pairing, with a playlist and a live virtual discussion to go with it. A separate quarterly Wine Club ships bottles from smaller producers, and in-person events bring members together at wineries across California. Visit novel-pairings.com to learn more and sign up.
