If you want to watch a true feel good movie about Napa Valley and how California wines got known, then Bottle Shock is for you! It is the journey of a wine shop owner who travels Napa Valley in search of the best California wines. The reason is a French vs American wine blind tasting contest that will be held back in France. Who will win? After watching this movie three times we know, but of course wont spoil for you 🙂

The Official Bottle Shock Trailer- Sundance 2008

In 1976 the Montelena Winery put California wines on the global map and brought much notice to the region. At the time France was known as the world’s top wine producer and Montelena challenged that at a wine competition. Director Randall Miller’s film shows the early days of Napa Valley as it became a world known success. Starring Chris Pine, Alan Rickman, Eliza Dushku, Bill Pullman and Freddy Rodriguez. Bill Pullman and Chris Pine portray the owners of the Montelena Winery.

Starring: Chris Pine, Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, Rachael Taylor, Eiza Dushku, Freddy Rodrigues
Director: Randall Miller
Genre: Drama
Rated: PG-13

Best Quotes from Bottle Shock:

Steven Spurrier: Great wine is great art, my friend. I am, in effect, a shepherd… whose mission is to offer the public another form of great art and to guide its appreciation thereof.

Maurice: Well, a shepherd… by definition, needs a flock. And a business, by necessity… needs customers.

Steven Spurrier: So, if I were to subscribe to that proviso would you be considered a customer?

Maurice: No. No, I would be considered… an enthusiastic… advocate.

Gustavo Brambila: You have to have it in your blood, you have to grow up with the soil underneath your nails, the smell of the grapes in the air that you breathe.

Steven Spurrier: “Wine is sunlight, held together by water.” The poetic wisdom of the Italian physicist, philosopher, and stargazer, Galileo Galilei. It all begins with the soil, the vine, the grape. The smell of the vineyard – like inhaling birth.

Alan Rickman as Steve Spurrier travels to California in search of new wines to take to a wine tasting contest in France.

Chris Pine as Bo Barrett and Bill Pullman as his father Jim Barrett at their Montelena Winery.

Rachel Taylor as Sam Fulton and Freddy Rodriguez as Gustavo Brambila enjoying a glass of Gustavo’s own wine in the vineyard.

Eliza Dushku as Joe the bartender sets up a wager at her bar for Gustavo to guess what wines he is trying. She also has a role to play at the end that will make you smile.

We give this movie 4.6 out of 5 bottles since it is a feel good real life story! Cheers!