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If you are one of the few people who hasn't seen the movie "Sideways" you owe it to yourself to take a peek at a rather funny (though on the dark side) look at life and love and California's Central Coast wines.
I immediately empathized with the protagonist, Miles (Paul Giamatti), as he gushes over the qualities of Pinot noir and turns up his nose in disgust at "another Merlot". The action takes place in the Central Coast, specifically between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, home to the Babcock wines we have enjoyed in the past. The Central Coast extends up to Monterey and includes the Santa Lucia Highlands, home to our current Tudor Pinot noir. We are soon to have other wines from the area, most notable, some award-winning Sauvignon blanc as well as a 'new' winery I discoverd in Carmel Valley recently. More on that later.
The point is that the 'hype' around the movie creates great dialogue for your phone calls and wine tastings. It has done a lot to let wine drinkers know that there are other grape varieties out there besides Cabernet and Merlot ... and that Pinot noir holds pleasures that are leagues away from the thick, tannic reds they may be accustomed to.
So take advantage of this opportunity ... sell Pinot noir ... and make sure your clients store the bottles "SIDEWAYS"!!!
A movie set in Santa Barbara wine country struck gold at the Golden Globes, and local businesses featured in the film say they are reaping the benefits.
"Sideways" solidified its mark among Hollywood's elite at Sunday's Golden Globes awards, taking home top honors for Best Comedy and Best Screenplay.
"A group of us here were watching it at the restaurant and we screamed," says Hitching Post owner Frank Ostini. "We've been friends with a lot of them and we know everybody that was onstage."
The film's road trip through Santa Barbara County's wine country has piqued an interest for hundreds of wine enthusiasts wanting to experience a bit of "Sideways" at the Hitching Post and Los Olivos Cafe-- both featured in the film.
"We've increased about 15-20% since the movie came out, and people are just coming in saying they want to sit at the same table and drink the same wines where they were standing, and taking pictures," says Los Olivos Cafe owner Sam Marmorstein.
"They ask for the Pinot Noir and particularly the Highliner, which is our high-end Pinot Noir which we make every year, and those sales have increased 500%," says Ostini.
Business owners say not only has "Sideways" put the Santa Ynez Valley on the map, it also toasts the fine wine and food the Central Coast has to offer.
"There's lots of great wine regions throughout California and throughout the world as well and now it's our turn," says Ostini.
"Sideways" was also awarded as "Film of the Year" by the Los Angeles Critics Association. Local business owners say if "Sideways" wins more awards, they will gladly welcome the additional exposure, but might have problems keeping certain bottles of wine shown in the movie in stock.
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