Director: Randall Miller

Actors: Alan Rickman; Chris Pine; Bill Pullman; Rachael Taylor; Freddy Rodriguez

A heart-warming and belly-fire-stoking film, for lovers of wine, viticulture mesmerising landscapes and passionate artistry in general. Starring the wonderfully dry and humorously caustic Alan Rickman as the quintessentially English wine-snob, the film tells the tale of how California’s Napa valley got itself firmly onto the international wine map.

The tale unfolds around the true story of winery Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, the dream-come reality of an ex city law partner, which, along with neighbouring winery Stag’s Leap, created a storm by taking first place at a blind 1976 Paris tasting judged by the 'cognoscenti' of the French wine establishment. Talk about shooting oneself in the foot!

To the intoxicating backdrop of Californian sunshine, lush vines and ripe grapes, the film reveals the sometimes ‘pig-headedness’ of human nature at many levels; in the long established bastions of the wine industry; in family relations, friendships and working relationships. It reveals how success in achieving ones dreams, requires that we overcome such human traits; to surrender something of ourselves, to always believe even when the odds appear stacked against it.

For those that love 70’s chic there a decent splash of it in here too – with Rachael Taylor doing those high-wasted wide-leg numbers true justice.

A great feel-good film with a great deal of subtle humour, retro chic and earthy character; one to savour with bottle of something deep, complex but fruity all the same; preferably from the Napa Valley.