As I fly up to Napa for the premiere of my new film BOTTLE SHOCK, I think of all the local people that I want to thank tomorrow night.  I am talking about hundreds of people, many of whom will be there to celebrate with me.  Because this is a film about the world’s awakening to the bounty of Napa, many local vintners were instrumental in helping pull off this movie.  My thank you’s begin with the generous folks at Chateau Montelena, around whom the film is centered.  Their triumphant victory over the French is, to this day, one of the most important historical events in the history of Napa.  We shot at Chateau Montelena up in Calistoga during harvest season.  Having a movie crew move in at the busiest time of their year was wholly inconvenient, but not only were the Barretts hospitable, they were great advisors to us in addressing the history and workings of the vineyard.

I also thank the folks at Buena Vista, a breathtaking winery in Carneros, where we shot many days in and around the vines.  This is where we built Sam’s house, a little cabin that Rachael Taylor’s character inhabits, that is situated on one of the most exquisite knolls imaginable.  Marcia Kunde and Don Chase of Kunde Estates Winery opened their arms to us and permitted us to shoot in some of the most precious and secret parts of their gorgeous vineyard.  It is here that we built the boxing ring situated so stunningly between hills of vines that roll off into blood red horizons.  And we owe them many thanks. 

I thank Gustavo Brambila for sharing his story and his wine.

I thank Bruce Cohn of B.R. Cohn Vineyards (situated just across the way from Kunde) for granting us the rights to use 4 Doobie Brothers tracks in the movie. 

I thank the local crew and the local cast whose faces I’ve come to know so well in the editing room.

I thank Lori Harrison of Viansa Winery for throwing us such an amazing wrap party and for pouring that fabulous Samuele.

I thank Della Santina and all of East Napa Street, Enoteca, Chantelier’s Bookstore, the Ledson Hotel, Toscano Hotel, and the Swiss hotel for opening their doors to filming.

I thank The Lodge at Sonoma and Stay Sonoma for housing all of us during the busiest tourist season of the year.

I thank Gundlach Bundschu, Freemark Abbey, Heitz, Acme Fine Wines, Gustavo Thrace and Clos du Val for their generosity and their fine wine. 

I thank Mike Robbins for the tales he told. 

I thank Brenda and Marc Lhormer of the Sonoma Valley for bringing this project to us.

I thank the people of Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Napa and Calistoga for graciously putting up with the interference that a movie shoot always causes.

I thank the Oakville Grocery for its great sandwiches.

BOTTLE SHOCK opens August 6th in select cities, then rolls out across the country on the 15th.