Indy film "Bottle Shock," set in 1976, shows how underdog California went up against the Goliath of the wine world - France. And won.
While the film focuses on Napa Valley's burgeoning wine industry, the movie was filmed mainly in neighboring Sonoma County. Now you can experience your own stunning cinematic vacation by following the camera through Sonoma's wine country.
Click here to view Sonoma County's Perfect Pairing Passport Deals.
The Back Story
In 1976, then-unknown wineries sent shock waves through the wine industry by besting the exalted French wines in a blind tasting, putting California wines on the map for good. This one event also opened the door for other countries to start introducing their own quality wines to the world.
The actual "Judgment in Paris" - as the blind judging came to be known - tested wines from Napa Valley that had roots in France: Cabernet Sauvignon, a red grape from the Bordeaux region; and Chardonnay, a white grape from the Burgundy region. The French wines were red Bordeaux and white Burgundies.
The movie "Bottle Shock" focuses on one winery's story - Chateau Montelena, which won the white wine category with its 1973 Chardonnay. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, which isn't featured in the film, took top honors in the red category with its 1970 Cabernet Sauvignon.
According to journalist George Taber's book "Judgment of Paris," in '73, Chateau Montelena bought "just over 40 tons of chardonnay from local growers" -- about 20 tons from Alexander Valley, 14 tons from the Russian River Valley and the remaining 5 tons from Napa. So 80-plus percent of the grapes used in the wine that brought Napa worldwide acclaim in 1976 came from Sonoma.
"About 80 percent of the movie was filmed in Sonoma Valley," said Lori Laube, of American Eagle Casting, in Santa Rosa. She and her company cast 450 extras for the movie. "A little was filmed in the Carneros region and some at Chateau Montelena in Calistoga."
While a story centered on a winery, "you don't have to be a wine fan to fall in love with this movie," said Brenda Lhormer, producer. "The movie is a dramatic, heroic, passionate tale of dreamers going against all odds."
"It's very life affirming," Lhormer added. "It has all the things about a movie that I love. We filmed in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, though I may be biased since I live in Sonoma. The cast and crew were amazed at the location."
Locations and Scenes Highlights:
Carneros Region
Buena Vista Carneros Vineyards on Ramal Road - Chateau Montelena, Sam's quarters, driving through the vineyards, and sweeping vineyard shots. Even though it wasn't featured in the movie, the winery itself, one of the oldest in Sonoma, is worth a visit.
Find it on Google Maps: Ramal Road
Find it on Google Maps: Buena Vista
For more information, visit www.buenavistacarneros.com
Get to Ramal Road by going east on Hwy 121/12 through the Carneros region. Turn right onto Ramal Road. The road loops around, changes name to Duhig Road and takes you back to the highway.
Duhig Road, Carneros - Bo and Sam have a flat tire.
Find it on Google Maps: Duhig Road
Sonoma Valley
Kunde Estate Vineyards, Kenwood - sweeping vineyard views; party scene with Bo and friends; boxing scenes (Kunde still has the boxing ring built for the movie).
Find it on Google Maps: Kunde Estate Vineyards
For more information, visit www.kunde.com
Kunde Estate Vineyards, Kenwood - the wine judging scene, shot in the Dunfillan Ruins. Winemaking pioneer John Drummond built the Dunfillan Winery in the late 1800s. This is where California's first varietal-labeled Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted and bottled. The ruins are available for large events.
Find it on Google Maps: Kunde Estate Vineyards
For more information, visit www.kunde.com
Glen Ellen
The Saloon at Jack London Lodge, Glen Ellen - Jo's Bar.
Find it on Google Maps: The Saloon at Jack London Lodge
For more information, visit www.jacklondonlodge.com
Town of Sonoma
Corner of East Napa Street and First Street East - Paris street scenes.
Find it on Google Maps: Napa & First St. East
Della Santina Restaurant - Paris restaurant, Le Bistro Des Cieux, where Alan Rickman as "Steven Spurrier" attempts to engage a French wine connoisseur.
Find it on Google Maps: Della Santina's
For more information, visit www.dellasantinas.com
Enoteca Della Santina - Caves de Madeleine, Paris wine shop, exterior only.
Find it on Google Maps: Della Santina's
For more information, visit www.dellasantinas.com
Ledson Harmony Club - Le Bistro De La Guerre, where Alan Rickman tastes wine and is ignored by all.
Find it on Google Maps: Ledson Hotel
For more information, visit www.ledsonhotel.com
Spain Street - Calistoga street scenes.
Find it on Google Maps: Spain Street
Toscano Hotel - Vintners bring their wine to Spurrier. The Toscano Hotel is part of Sonoma State Historic Park.
Find it on Google Maps: Toscano Hotel
For more information, visit Sonoma State Historic Park
Sonoma Plaza - Leaving the Toscano Hotel, Sonoma's eight-acre plaza is seen in the background. Sonoma Plaza is the largest plaza in California and is a National Historic Landmark. The town is considered the birthplace of California's wine industry, with grapes planted as early as the 1820s. It's also the location of the Bear Flag Revolt, which transferred ownership of California from Mexico to the United States, making it the birthplace of American California.
Find it on Google Maps: Sonoma Plaza
Swiss Hotel and Restaurant - Aqua Vira Restaurant, restaurant patrons request the winning wine.
Find it on Google Maps: Swiss Hotel and Restaurant
For more information, visit www.swisshotelsonoma.com
Interiors at production offices on Eighth Street East in Sonoma - Winery office, bank, airport and Spurrier's inside shop scenes. Enjoy the drive along Eighth Street East; specific address isn't given to this location.
Find it on Google Maps: Eighth Street East
Santa Rosa
Office building at 703 2nd Street - Legal office scene.
Find it on Google Maps: office building
Other Way to Discover Sonoma County's "Bottle Shock"
A bird's-eye view
"The land is a powerful character in this movie," said Randall Miller, director of the film. "I knew I needed to shoot from a helicopter to capture the breadth and scope of its awesome glory." Re-create this experience with the Vintage Aircraft Company, located at Sonoma Airport. The company offers the 40-minute Wine Country Tour that flies east across the Carneros, north through Napa Valley to St. Helena, west to Glen Ellen and down Sonoma Valley. This offers an aerial view of most of the filming locations.
Find it on Google Maps: Sonoma Valley Airport
For more information, visit www.vintageaircraft.com
'Listen to the Music'
Music plays an important role in the movie. Hearing the strains of "China Grove," by the Doobie Brothers, gets you in the mood for a rollicking good time. The Doobies also provided "Spirit," "Toulouse Street," and "Listen to the Music" to the sound track. While you won't find the Doobie Brothers playing in Sonoma Valley on a regular basis, they usually perform at B.R. Cohn Winery's charity concert held every October. Bruce Cohn, the band's manager for nearly 40 years, produces quality wines and olive oils.
Find it on Google Maps: B.R. Cohn Winery
For more information, visit www.brcohn.com
For more information visit www.sonomacounty.com/bottle-shock
Sonoma County Perfect Pairing Passport Deals
A Perfect Wine Weekend
A pre-planned wine tasting weekend awaits you at Hilton Sonoma Wine Country! Includes certificates for complimentary wine tastings for two at five local wineries, an itinerary for Russia River or Dry Creek Valley wine tasting and a bottle of Sonoma wine. Prices starting at $115.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403, (707) 569-5502 www.WineCountryHilton.com
Exclusive Wine Country Package from $139 per night
Experience the best of Northern California’s wine country with this exclusive package at Sheraton Sonoma County. When you book your stay at Sheraton Sonoma County Petaluma receive rates from $139 per night with a bottle of wine and artisan cheese platter upon arrival and two VIP Passes to wineries in the Carneros region. To take advantage of this great rate call (866) 716-8123 and mention rate plan WWINE
Petaluma, CA, (707) 283-2932, www.sheraton.com/sonomaoffers
Luxury, Affordability, Amazing Location
Enjoy a perfect pairing of luxury and affordability and food and wine in Sonoma Valley at the six luxurious condominiums of the historic and lovingly restored Hotel Chauvet in downtown Glen Ellen in Sonoma County, California. These three-bedroom, two-bath designer condominiums offer every amenity in a remarkable wine country location are available for a winter rates and are paired with Chauvet Charcuterie. California wine historian Sandrew Montgomery has been creating food and wine pairings and educational seminars since 1982. He will be your Personal Sommelier and deliver the ultimate California Wine Experience in the privacy of your Chauvet Condominium – you don't even have to take off your "slippers"! For reservations contact Glenelly Properties. Glenelly Properties , Glen Ellen, (707) 996-6720, www.go-sonoma.com.
Pick & Press for a Crushing Good Time -- A Two-Part Winemaking Event
Harvest grapes in the fall. Blend and bottle in the spring. Stay two nights in the fall. Stay two nights in the spring. Take home two cases of wine that you made. Lodging and all meals included. Price $1,500 plus tax. Based on one room, double occupancy. Add a third night, either in the fall or spring, or both and get the 3rd night at 50 percent off. The Hope-Merrill & Hope-Bosworth Bed & Breakfast Inns, (800) 825-4233 or (707) 857-3356, www.hope-inns.com
Pac-a-Picnic and Snag a Table
Another Alexander Valley Perfect Pairing with the historic Hope Merrill and Hope Bosworth House Inns in Geyeserville is their Pac-a-Picnic and Snag a Table at Preston Vineyards. With a two-night stay at the inn guests receive a picnic for two and a bottle of Preston Wine. The third night stay is at ½ price. (800) 825-4233 or www.hope-inns.com for reservations. The Hope-Merrill & Hope-Bosworth Bed & Breakfast Inns, (800) 825-4233 or (707) 857-3356, www.hope-inns.com
'Murder in Wine Country' - A Frightful Good Time
In the rich Wine Country of the Alexander Valley wine appellation Shelford House is offering a great Wine Country getaway that includes wine tasting passes, and "Murder in the Wine Country"! Yes, a murder mystery dinner you can "pair" with your visit to Sonoma Wine Country. The inn will serve you dinner while you try to figure out "Who killed the winemaker"! Third night stay at 50 percent discount.
Cloverdale, CA, (800) 833-6479, www.shelford.com
Wine, Cheese and Thou - And Third Night Half Off
Gables Wine Country Inn is offering a complimentary bottle of award-winning Sonoma County wine, a sampling of local cheese for pairing and a complimentary free tasting card for more than 25 Sonoma wineries. Stay the third night for 50 percent off.
Santa Rosa, CA, (800) 422-5376, www.thegablesinn.com
Case Ranch Inn and Forestville Pair Gourmet Food & Wine
When you arrive we’ll welcome you with a $50 meal voucher to be used at Mosaic Restaurant & Wine Lounge (Mon.-Thurs.), and a tasting at Forestville’s own boutique winery, EMTU Estate Wines (subject to availability and requires advance appointment). Stay with us a 3rd night and receive a 50 percent discount off the third night. As always, a full gourmet breakfast is included in your stay at Case Ranch Inn.
Forestville, CA, (707) 887-8711, www.caseranchinn.com
English Tea Garden Inn Offers Stylish Pairings
What a pairing at the English Tea Garden Inn in Cloverdale. Arrive for a two night stay and receive a bottle of our very own award-winning wine. Stay three nights and receive half off your third-night stay.
Cloverdale, CA, (800) 866-8675, www.teagarden.com
VIP Wine Tasting and Tours Available
Stay three nights and get the third night for 50 percent off at the Avalon Bed and Breakfast Inn in Sebastopol. Offer includes nightly tasting of wonderful Russian River wines at the inn paired with VIP wine tasting and tours at your choice of Sunce Winery, Lauterbach Cellars, EMTU Estate, Dutton-Goldfield, Pellegrini Family, Inspiration Vineyards and Harvest Moon Winery. The Inn will work with guests to provide the educational tours, wine and food pairing and crushing and/or bottling pairing events for the guest’s choice. Offer includes, reservations to Marimar Torres Estate Tapas menu wine pairing for an additional price.
Sebastopol, CA, (707) 824-0880, www.avalonluxuryinn.com
Pair Luxurious Stay with Acclaimed Restaurant
Stay two nights at the Applewood Inn in the Russian River Valley and receive a dining certificate valid for a three-course dinner for two in Applewood’s Zagat- and Michelin-acclaimed restaurant. Stay longer and receive the third night at half price! (Additional nights also half price).
Guerneville, CA, (800) 555-8509, www.ApplewoodInn.com
Birmingham Bed and Breakfast Inn
It’s more than just a pair at Birmingham Bed and Breakfast Inn in Kenwood with food and wine and then some. Upon arrival receive a complimentary wine tasting card, a $25 voucher for a local restaurant, a private tasting at Landmark Winery (subject to availability), and signature wine glasses. A full gourmet breakfast is included. Stay longer and receive the third night at 50 percent off price. Kenwood, CA, (800) 819-1388 www.birminghambb.com
For more information on Sonoma County Wine Country, Click Here.
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