Based on the infamous Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 that put California wines on the map, the movie Bottle Shock takes viewers on a captivating tour through two of California’s most popular wine regions. Nestled directly next to one another off the North Coast, Sonoma and the Napa Valley are renowned for distinctive wines, five-star restaurants, gourmet specialty foods and breathtaking scenery. Take the excursion from the screen to reality with the following suggestions.
Featured in the Movie...
• The memorable Chateau Montelena in Calistoga is where most of the film takes place. Walk through the remarkable stone castle estate and vineyards, leaving time to step into the celebrated tasting rooms.
• Also a prime filming location, Buena Vista Winery recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, making it one of California's oldest wineries. The Carneros-based estate features a wide selection of award-winning wines, a gift shop displaying gourmet foods and a whimsical merchandise, and beautiful picnic areas.
• Portions of the film were also shot a Kunde Estate Winery in Kenwood. For more than 100 years, this family owned and operated winery has produced ultra premium, estate-grown and sustainably farmed wines.
• The “Aqua Vira Restaurant” in the movie is actually the Swiss Hotel Restaurant in Sonoma. Featuring modern interpretations of classic Italian dishes and an impressive wine list, the Swiss Hotel offers diners a satisfying meal in a charming setting.
• Mentioned in the film for winning the best Cabernet Sauvignon at the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting, Stags Leap Wine Cellars in Napa welcomes visitors to take part in their daily Portfolio and Estate tastings.
Create Your Own Wine Country Experience
• For a hands-on experience, opt for a blending class at the Rubicon Estate, home to famed director Francis Ford Coppola’s renowned wines and listed on the National Register of Historic Places; a cooking demonstration at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone; or a Wine 101 class and many other interactive programs at Copia, the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts.
• Create your own wine blend at Ravenswood Winery, just outside the charming town center of Sonoma, which has a historic shopping plaza in the heart of downtown.
• If you’d rather let your senses do all the work, visit the Kuleto Estate, with eye-popping vistas of Lake Hennessey and abundant animals. You can taste their renowned cabernet paired with artisan cheese and dried cured meats and fruits, as well as olives grown on their ranch.
• Another fun stop is Domaine Charbay Winery and Distillery, where the Karakasevic family has been producing small, handcrafted releases of wines, ports, brandies, spirits and liqueurs since 1983 on Spring Mountain, overlooking Napa Valley.
• When it comes time to grab a bite to eat, there’s no question that you’ve come to the right place. Created from seasonal, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs, as well as local meats, fish, cheeses, olive oils and breads, the cuisine of Sonoma County and Napa Valley are celebrated just as much as their wines. One of the premier restaurants is Zazu Restaurant & Farm, Duskie Estes and John Stewart’s gourmet roadhouse restaurant, located in Santa Rosa. The food is all about the healthiest local ingredients – some from their own garden – and being “wine friendly but uncomplicated.”
• Another Sonoma favorite is The Girl and the Fig, a renowned eatery with a French-inspired menu, French aperitifs, an award-winning “Rhone Alone” wine list, seasonal menu, cheese and charcuterie platters and outdoor patio.
• If money is no object, give your taste buds a once-in-a-lifetime experience at French Laundry in Yountville, where culinary wizard Thomas Keller weaves a spell over nine courses of American cuisine with French overtones. The restaurant takes reservations two months in advance and spaces fill up quickly, so be sure to call well in advance for dinner (lunch is only served on weekends).
• For delicious farm-to-table dishes, visit the newly opened JoLe in Calistoga. JoLe serves contemporary American dishes made with fresh, seasonal and often locally grown, organic ingredients.
• Board a Napa Valley Wine Train for gourmet lunch or dinner with wine pairings as you wind your way through the rustic Napa Valley.
• Take to the air with Balloons Above the Valley. Soar above the morning mist and lush Napa Valley vineyards in a majestic hot air balloon followed by a delightful champagne brunch next to the peaceful Napa River.
• For more casual gourmets, try gastropubs such as the Silverado Brewing Company, Dempseys Brewery & Restaurant, Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery or Downtown Joe’s. Lovers of “locovore” – food grown and prepared locally – will find many restaurants in Napa – and throughout the state from which to choose.
For more information on Sonoma County locations from the film, check out: www.sonomacounty.com/content/bottle-shock.
For more information on the Napa Valley visit www.napavalley.com, www.napavalley.org, www.virtualnapavalley.com or www.napavintners.com. For more information on Sonoma County visit www.sonomacounty.com or www.sonomawine.com.
Dates and hours may vary so we suggest calling ahead to confirm specifics.
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