Wine People

A Novel

By: Michelle Wildgen

Narrated by: Christine Lakin

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

A Time Magazine “25 New Books You Need to Read This Summer”

“A riveting behind-the-scenes portrait of a high-drama industry, from the chateau to the corner office…pour a glass and dive in.”—Oprah Daily

An intoxicating escape into the cutthroat world of wine and the complicated terrain of women’s friendship.

What happens when two ambitious young women, opposite in every way, join forces in a competitive male-dominated industry?

Wren and Thessaly collide when they land coveted jobs at a glamorous New York City boutique wine importer. Hardworking, by-the-book Wren comes from a modest background and has everything to prove while Thessaly hails from a family of prestigious California growers—but she is plagued by self-doubt. Thrown together at work, where they're expected to have exquisite palates, endless tolerance for alcohol and socializing, and the ability to sell, sell, sell, they regard each other with suspicion.

It’s only on an important European business trip—with everything on the line for both of them—that they unexpectedly forge an alliance that will change the course of their careers and personal lives.

With mouth-watering descriptions of food and wine, Wine People takes listeners from France, Germany, and Italy to the Midwest and California Wine Country. An utterly entertaining book that explores how close friends can both misjudge and uplift each other.

©2023 Michelle Wildgen (P)2023 Zibby Books

Decent but never got to the heart

I struggled to care about these 2 women. Maybe it was the POV but this needed 2 narrators to differentiate their stories. What drew me was the wine world and it was never fully fleshed out

A nice story about friendship

Two gals meet at work and don’t exactly hit it off, but over the years they develop a friendship, go into business together and then their lives diverge. Each pursuing their passion. I liked it! Might be a good bookclub book.

drink up and develop your palate

I've been loving the scorching pressure of FX's 'The Bear' as chefs and cooks keep up the heat in the kitchen, so I was excited for author Michelle Wildgen's latest, since she loves to obsess over culinary delights and the back-of-house drama of haute restaurants in her novels. I felt a slight buzz listening to her detailed account of the wine business—told through a workplace rivalry between two young women (Wren & Thessaly) in a male-driven industry that turns into an intense, lifelong friendship—due to the constant drinking of obscure varietals, handling of delicate vessels, and red wine headaches. This is a great summer beach listen as we travel with the characters around Europe, from New York to the US Midwest and California. Just be prepared that you may feel compelled to upgrade that canned rosé for something more cultivated to sip while you listen—or not!

I thought it was a thriller … definitely not

I thought I downloaded a murder mystery that played in and around wine. Was I wrong. It’s a story about wine import and the drama of working for a company. Nothing happens. It just kinda drags along - kinda like working for any other company. Don’t expect to learn much about wine. There are some references but that’s about it.

A wine story, as promised

I loved this behind the scenes story of how wine moves from vineyards to our tables. The story within these pages gives us a rare insight into the industry and a peak at the inner circle. The characters developed their own paths forward, and they did it without leaning on predetermined paths that often give away ending. Get your favorite wine and enjoy! Better yet, head out and speak to the sommelier or local owner, tell them what you like, and ask for new challenges in that category.

Fun read

This is a fun read especially if you love wine as I do. The story focuses on two women navigating the wine industry; importing, distribution, retail, and restaurants.

Light and descriptive

Good narration. Excellent descriptions of wine, people, places and environments. Keeps you interested. Just not sure how it got on my reading list.

A beautiful look into the world of wine and the people who make it happen

This is such a great book and a perfect book club book! It’s also a super compelling dive into the world of wine distribution and sales and production which I absolutely loved being a restaurant person. It also does an awesome job of taking seriously the lives of two independent, strong women who aren’t just waiting around for guys to make their lives whole. A beautiful and memorable read!

I'm wine people

I really liked this book because I'm a wine person and a woman. I moved from restaurant management to wine sales and just lived the transition. it's a tough world out there but so fun and rewarding when it's something you love.

Great for a wino and reader!

This was great. I loved the female friendship in this novel and the struggle with ambition. 4.5 stars for this debut.