What’s that sound you hear? Is it the jingling of sleigh bells? The rustling of holiday sweaters? Or could it be love budding among the vines? This holiday season, fans of wine and romance are in for a treat with the new movie Holiday in the Vineyards, streaming on Netflix starting Dec. 13.
Set in the fictional Los Santos (based on Lodi), California wine culture is a central focus of Holiday in the Vineyards. Filming took place primarily at sites around Greater Los Angeles, including Reyes Winery in Santa Clarita and Pulchella Winery in Valencia.
Josh Swickard (ABC’s General Hospital) co-stars as wealthy ne'er-do-well Carter, on a secret mission to acquire a small California vineyard for his family’s wine empire. In steps Sol Rodriguez (Star Trek: Picard on Paramount+) as Valentina, a real-estate broker protecting the vineyard from big business. They soon meet, with Carter posing as a carpenter. Is holiday romance in the air? Will Valentina save the vineyard? That’s for you to find out.
Alongside Rodriguez and Swickard is soap-opera legend and Real Housewife Eileen Davidson (Days of Our Lives, Young and the Restless, Bold and the Beautiful) as Carter’s mother, Margo, as well as Omar Gooding (HBO’s Deadwood) and Carly Jibson (TBS’ The Guest Book).
Directed by Alex Ranarivelo (A Hollywood Christmas), this is the 10th Netflix film from producer (and race car driver) Ali Afshar and his ESX Productions, the studio behind romantic titles like 2020’s A California Christmas. (The film is co-produced with Christina Moore, Daniel Aspromonte and executive producer and actress Charley DeBenedetti). “We've enjoyed a lot of success with our holiday films and have high hopes for this one as well,” Afshar told Wine Spectator via email. Incidentally, ESX is rooted in California wine country: Afshar sometimes uses his Petaluma ranch and barn as a backlot and sound stage, respectively.
“Wine is at the heart of this film,” said Ranarivelo, adding that Holiday in the Vineyards is sure to please his wine-loving father. “[My father] taught me about the garagiste culture and made sure we referenced interesting and appropriate wines in the story.”
“The holidays bring us together and so does wine! They're a natural pairing,” said Ranarivelo, who suggests people try Schioppettino, Alicante Bouschet, Falanghina or Assyrtiko while watching Holiday in the Vineyards. “I hope it becomes a go-to movie for wine lovers during the holidays. It has heart and great grapes. What could be better?”
Wine and the Movies: A Star-Studded Relationship
Roll out a red, white or rosé carpet, because wine and vineyards are frequent stars of the silver screen. In recent years, wine has featured in comedies and romances like 2022’s Pretty Problems and A Perfect Pairing, as well as thrillers such as Death on the Nile and even a presidential documentary. That’s not to mention the many TV series and specials that put wine in the spotlight. (Check out a few of our favorite movie and TV appearances for wine!)
Adding even more glitz, more film and TV stars than ever before are making, launching and investing in wine, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Brad Pitt and Elizabeth Banks.
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