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Sideways Uncorked: The Perfect Pairing of Film & Wine by Mira Advani Honeycutt and Kirk Honeycutt tells of the making of the successful independent feature, and its effect on California’s wine county. Ms. Honeycutt is a professional wine journalist and editor. Mr. Honeycutt is a journalist, film critic and educator.

Sideways Uncorked by Mira Advani Honeycutt and Kirk Honeycutt offers a fascinating glimpse into the creation of Alexander Payne‘s critically acclaimed film. As a fan of the movie, I was eager to delve deeper into its production and cultural impact.

The book effectively interweaves two compelling narratives: the making of the film and the rise of Pinot Noir in the United States. By juxtaposing these elements, the author provides a rich and insightful exploration of the symbiotic relationship between cinema and culture.

Payne’s journey to bring Sideways to the screen is chronicled from securing financing to casting the perfect ensemble. The author sheds light on the challenges and triumphs faced by the filmmakers, particularly in introducing relatively unknown actors like Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church to a wider audience.

In parallel, the book delves into the world of wine, focusing on the Pinot Noir grape and its growing popularity in the Santa Barbara region. The film’s impact on wine tourism and consumer preferences is undeniable, as the author demonstrates through interviews with winemakers and industry experts.

While the book’s structure may occasionally feel disjointed, it ultimately serves to highlight the intricate connection between this modern classic and the wine industry. By the end, readers will have a newfound appreciation for both the artistry of filmmaking and the complexities of wine production.

A true love letter to the ever fickle Pinot grape this book intertwines the histories of film making and the California wine industry.

It gives you a back stage pass to how the book and movie both came to be as well as the spotlight it shone on the Pinot wine regions.

Suggestions of wine from California to France were a fun bonus. Especially for the ever complicated Burgundy wines.

As a fan of both the book and the movie 20 years ago, I loved the back stories of the major players involved.

Now I’m going to go grab a glass of Pinot and rewatch Sideways.

Thanks, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers | Applause, for the advance review copy via NetGalley. (Available 5 Nov 24)

My emotional connection to the Central Coast of California runs deep. In my 20s I made lifelong friends while stationed there with the US Air Force. Our daughter was born there. In my 30s, I returned to command a squadron - a highlight of my entire career. So many events and people were key to who I am as a person. Through it all, there runs a river of amazing wine. The area, the culture, the people, the air…it’s steeped in it.

When the quirky, darkly funny movie “Sideways” surprised the awards season in 2004-2005, many others discovered the uniquely gorgeous area, and tourism and the wine industry felt the effects. Interspersed with California wine and winery recommendations, this book details the timeline, starting with the history of the wine industry in California, from missions through prohibition, the writing of the novel that sparked the screenplay, the making of the movie, and the impacts it had on all those involved.

It gave me a better appreciation for a movie I already loved and the wonderful wines from the area. “This is where the coast meets the vines, vines that are influenced by soil, shaped by wind, cooled by fog, and kissed by the sun. Vineyards here are planted in a unique seabed soil rich with fossilized shells and marine shale that gives the wines a razor-sharp minerality, the result of an ancient collision of the Pacific and Continental plates.”

If you loved the movie or are just curious about what made it and the area it highlights uniquely wonderful, definitely get your hands on this book!