Wine movies are among the most emotional and uplifting, especially when you enjoy them with a glass of wine.
Not all wine movies are created equal, though, from eye-opening documentaries to romantic flicks; wine lends itself to telling many stories.
Here are our 23 favorite wine movies; if you’re a true wine lover, you must have seen most of them.
Still, perhaps there’s that one wine movie you still have to enjoy to consider yourself a true expert. Did you know wine is lovely with popcorn?
1. Sideways (2004)
An unsuccessful writer and his wine-noob friend visit the wine country for a week-long bachelor trip. They find great wine, but they also struggle to find meaning in their failed lives.
Santa Barbara’s vineyards change everything, though, in the most thoughtful and hilarious ways. Enjoy this movie with a glass of Santa Barbara Pinot.
Watch the trailer here.
2. Bottle Shock (2008)
American winemakers defeat the French in the famous blind wine tasting of 1976 known as the Judgement of Paris. See how it went down. You’ll indeed find a new appreciation for the good folks at Napa.
This movie is a thoughtful homage to the wine tasting that changed the world of wine forever.
Watch the trailer here.
3. The Secret of Santa Vittoria (1969)
It’s World War II, and the Germans are coming! A small Italian winemaking village hides a million bottles to save what’s most precious to them, their tradition.
Things, of course, never go as planned. This old movie is still one of the best wine-themed films released, and it’s a must for wine lovers.
Watch the trailer here.
4. A Good Year (2006)
This romantic comedy makes you want to travel to Southern France and stay at a chateau. A successful stockbroker reevaluates his life when he inherits a wine estate from his uncle Henry.
Can people change their ways? You’ll soon find out in the middle of the Provencal wine country.
Watch the trailer here.
5. A Walk in the Clouds (1995)
In this 90s classic, Keanu Reeves shows his romantic side as a war hero finding his place amongst California’s vineyards. He ends up posing as a pregnant woman’s husband to save her from her father’s rage.
Will they end up together? Things are never that easy. But they do, of course.
Watch the trailer here.
6. A Year in Burgundy (2013)
This life-changing documentary shows different viticultural and winemaking approaches to produce the world’s most famous Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Traditions go deep in Burgundy, and every estate has its own story. Meet the most influential people in the Burgundy wine trade and see what the term ‘terroir’ is all about.
Watch the trailer here.
7. Mondovino (2004)
Wine globalization is profound — soon, all wine might taste the same! This documentary explores the influence of wine powerhouses like Robert Mondavi and wine consultants like Michel Rolland and their role in the wine trade.
Should wine be globalized? Is there something we can do to preserve wine traditions?
Watch the trailer here.
8. French Kiss (1995)
What starts as a spontaneous trip to France to confront her husband, Meg Ryan, meets an unexpected character. And although things seem to go just fine, the woman’s new friend has a hidden agenda.
France might not be that romantic after all, especially when you get involved in smuggling.
Watch the trailer here.
9. Red Obsession (2013)
China has become a significant player as a wine producer and consumer, and not even the most coveted wine bottles are safe from the country’s thirst for fine wine.
How much are you willing to spend on a bottle of wine? For Chinese executives and their red obsession, there’s no limit.
Watch the trailer here.
10. The Vintner’s Luck (2009)
This historical movie shows what it took to make a great wine in 19th-century France. There’s lots of passion involved, that’s for sure, especially when the quest for the perfect vintage meets a complicated love story.
This romantic drama will keep you on the edge of your seat. So, make sure you don’t spill any wine!
Watch the trailer here.
11. You Will Be My Son (2011)
The relationship between a father and his son can be complicated, especially when your old man is a master winemaker, and you’re just never good enough for him.
When the reputation of a French wine estate is on the line, family matters can be stressful. Still, there’s nothing like a family-owned winery!
Watch the trailer here.
12. Blood into Wine (2010)
Recording artist Maynard James Keenan might have a successful music career, but is it enough to make it in the wine business? And what if we were talking about a struggling wine region in Arizona?
That’s quite a challenge for an inexperienced wine enthusiast. Still, with the right people, great wine is always achievable.
Watch the trailer here.
13. Somm (2012)
Follow the most dedicated sommeliers on their quest to pass the most challenging wine exam in the world and become Master Sommeliers. What does it take to know everything there is about wine?
Well, it takes blood, sweat, and tears. Lots of studying too! See how these snobby wine lovers tease each other while honing their wine tasting skills.
Watch the trailer here.
14. A Year in Champagne (2014)
From the creators of A Year in Burgundy, this documentary shows why there’s no other sparkling wine like Champagne. Follow the most prestigious winemakers and visit their impressive Maisons while you learn about the sparkling wine trade.
These are the big leagues, and French vignerons spare no expense to create the king of wines.
Watch the trailer here.
15. SOMM: Into the Bottle (2015)
Another fantastic Somm movie. This time, you’ll follow wine from grape to bottle. See how deep the rabbit hole goes for wine knowledge and meet some of the most prestigious winemakers and sommeliers in the world.
Wine is much more interesting than you thought. It’s also much more pleasurable!
Watch the trailer here.
16. Natural Resistance (2014)
From the creator of Mondovino, it’s time to see what the natural wine trend is all about. Is it the real deal? Is it worth it?
Learn all about organic farming and the loopholes used by less illustrious winemakers. Here’s all there is about natural wine — the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Watch the trailer here.
17. Sour Grapes (2016)
Fine wine bottles can cost thousands of dollars, and those who buy them are authentic connoisseurs. Could you fool them with a fake bottle? Well, someone did for years!
Here’s a documentary about the biggest scandal in the wine world. Is that bottle you’ve been saving authentic? Find out watching Sour Grapes.
Watch the trailer here.
18. Saint Amour (2016)
This artsy movie based was filmed in France and shows a different side of wine through a father-son road trip to a farm fair in a Parisian taxi.
You never know what to expect from a road trip, especially when cruising the French vineyards. This movie is food for thought but pretty comical, too.
Watch the trailer here.
19. American Wine Story (2014)
This is a long-overdue documentary about American winemakers, and it explores the country’s wine scene from the earliest days. See what it takes to become a successful winemaker in the Land of the Brave.
The documentary/story also shows the most beautiful wine sceneries and the strong bond that unites the winemaking community in America.
Watch the trailer here.
20. Barolo Boys. The Story of a Revolution (2014)
Today, Barolo is one of the most acclaimed Italian wine styles, some bottles are coveted collector’s items, and the wine has undisputed fame. Still, this wasn’t always the case.
Meet the Barolo Boys and see how a handful of winemakers took a relatively unknown wine region to stardom.
Watch the trailer here.
21. A Year in Port (2016)
The third movie in the series, this fantastic documentary, will show you what you wanted to know about the acclaimed fortified wine, Portugal’s Oporto.
Meet the winemakers, explore the vineyards and see what makes this wine style so unique — there’s no wine like Port.
Watch the trailer here.
22. Back to Burgundy (2017)
Jean returns to his family estate in Burgundy after ten years — his father is ill, and now she must bring the wine estate back to its glory. Of course, with the help of her siblings.
The inspirational movie shows an intimate side of the acclaimed French wine region and its people.
Watch the trailer here.
23. Premiers crus (2015)
Charlie must leave his successful career as a wine critic to take over his family’s wine estate. Now he’s close to bankruptcy and realizes making wine is more complicated than he ever thought.
How to save a 200-year-old wine estate? Even with hard work and the right people. This is quite an uphill battle!
Watch the trailer here.
