"Where in North America?" --- Section IV

[CalOldBlue]

Would it help to know this winery wasn't just IN a movie, the movie was in large part ABOUT this winery?

Two of the actors in THIS movie have also played (in other movies) the President of the United States, and a professor at Hogwarts. A third seems to alternate between cop and gangster roles; in this movie he runs a business.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Sideways is responsible for the huge growth industry of Pinot Noir, but I still don't remember this location scene...

Mark

[CalOldBlue]

Not "Sideways".
Not Pinot Noir, Chardonnay.
Not Santa Ynez, Napa Valley.

Movie is from 2008, events movie is based on happened 30+ years ago.

some dialog:

person x: Why don't I like you?
person y: Because you think I'm an arse####. And I'm not, really. I'm just British and, well... you're not.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Once I finish some more administrative tasks -- I'm sure someone will beat me to this...

Chateau Montelena in the Napa Valley -- the film was "Bottleshock"

Mark

[CalOldBlue]

Another one of the actors in this film recently played a certain starship captain.

The movie itself took a few liberties with it's portrayal of the story: once you have the answer you'll know the movie is BS.

[CalOldBlue]

once you have the answer you'll know the movie is BS.

Yes: BS=Bottle Shock.

In the "Judgement of Paris" in 1976, a bottle of 1973 Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena was deemed by a panel of French judges the best of the lot; beating numerous french wines.

Other California wines, both red and white did quite well (a Stag's Leap Cabernet won on the red side)... surprising many and helping solidify Napa Valley as a respected wine-producing region.

Of the liberties: the "Gustavo" character is real, but he was not the winemaker at the time, Mike Grgich was. Grgich went on to co-found (with a scion of the Hills Brothers coffee company) Grgich Hills winery. Gustavo Bambrillo has since founded his own small winery, Gustavo Thrace. The Barretts are still involved with Chateau Montelena (the last part of the name is a contracted form of Mount Saint Helena, at whose foot it sits), with Bo acting as the current winemaker.

Players: Alan Rickman as the "arse####" Brit who set up the contest, Bill Pullman as Jim Barrett (father), Chris "James T Kirk" Pine as wastrel son Bo.

*****And, your photo was deemed to be sufficiently puzzling to be featured on the RTA front page this week****

[CalOldBlue]

Thanks!

Trying to convince my "management" we need a minor road trip to celbrate our 6th; if I win the argument I should have some fresh fodder early next week. If not, there's that mess waiting me upstairs that should yield some interesting options.

P.S. Aside from an interesting old building and some pretty fine wine, Chateau Montelena has interesting grounds; due in large part to a prior owner who bought it with the intent of retiring there (predates the Barretts reviving the winery): here's a shot of a lake with Chinese Pavilions he installed:


Photo: Don Casey

[Mark Sedenquist]

For a few years in the mid-1970s, the Gundlach Bundschu winery in Sonoma Valley was closed to visitors. But the caretaker always welcomed picnicers to enjoy the pond on the grounds. For many, many wine hunting sorties, when I was supposed to be studying at CAL-Berkeley, I would schedule the trip so that we ended up there with a bottle or two of some select vintage and some cheese, etc. I know that the winery is now back in the tour giving business -- but that photo of the pond brought back some memories for me.

Mark

[CalOldBlue]

AKA putting that many college kids that close to wine country.

My crowd mainly hit the Napa Valley, as one of us grew up in Napa. Our shtick was to buy some bread, cheese and salami at the Olive Oil place at the end of Charter Oak coming into Saint Helena, and eat it in the little park in the center of town. Probably illegal but we never got hassled.

G-B is one of the many I haven't trekked to yet; will have to bump it closer to the top of the list. Given that there's something over 1,000 wineries in this state, and the number is growing, it's hard to hit them all (but I'll fight on to the last functioning liver cell!).

I stumbled across a decent candidate while looking for a shot of the pets for Linda, so here's one showing the kind of fun you can have with a fisheye lens.... What is it and where is it?


Photo: Don Casey

[Quebec Gen]

Sideways is responsible for the huge growth industry of Pinot Noir, but I still don't remember this location scene...

Mark

Hum pinot noir uh?:) Right up my alley. I guess I should watch that movie. Is is any good?