At Köehler Books, we’ve worked with writers from many different walks of life—lawyers, teachers, doctors, decorated military veterans, and even the occasional stripper. But it’s not every day that an author comes along who owns his own Italian vineyard.

When Daniel Grace, author of the upcoming novel In the Wake of Golgotha, offered to work with us to design our own private wine label, it was a no-brainer. So we sent our executive editor, Becky Hilliker, to Italy to check out his vineyard.***

Of her trip Becky said, “Listen, being an executive editor can be grueling. But I do what I have to do to serve our books. And if that means flying to Tuscany, spending a day in a glorious medieval-monastery-turned-winery with a dynamic new novelist, drinking incredible wine until I forget my children’s names, and having to be carried to the taxi, then by darn, I’m going to do it.” Becky meticulously tasted the wine, glass after glass, until finally she was sufficiently convinced it would be a good partnership.

Thus, Köehler Classico—A Well-Red Wine was born: a very limited edition Chianti Classico that will be enjoyed by our staff and authors at upcoming events.

But don’t worry, owning an Italian winery isn’t necessary to collaborate with Köehler Books. That’s the beauty of working with a small, intimate publishing house. You bring us your compelling story and we’ll find the right blend of talents, yours and ours, to share it with the world.

Here’s to good books. Cheers!

***Okay, so Becky happened to be in Italy over spring break on a family trip anyhow. Daniel was wonderfully generous to host her and her family for the day—and they even discussed his book in between sips.