Master of Wine

Thee Champagne Earthquake follows three wine industry professionals in San Francisco — Edie, a bipolar wine rep desperately searching for love; Ernest, a depressed sommelier who attempts suicide after his mother's cancer diagnosis; and Sammy, a philosophical restaurateur seeking deep connection — as they navigate existential questions about purpose and belonging. Told through Master of Wine Erin Jolley's whimsical wine tasting notes that mirror the characters' emotional states, the novella explores whether humanity can achieve unity if each person undergoes an internal "implosion" to discover their true self. Woven throughout with lyrical references that create a soundtrack to the characters' lives, the story will resonate with music lovers who recognize the poetry in a well-chosen verse. Set against San Francisco's fog-drenched, soul-heavy landscape of bistros, natural wine bars and late-night conversations, Thee Champagne Earthquake is a cry for collective authenticity.