Best Wine Movies

Forget Netflix and chill. We're all for Netflix and Wine.

Happy drinking!

Drops of God (2023)--racy

More than just an excellent Japanese/American/French wine drama, Drops of God is based on a legendary Japanese manga series that is credited with kickstarting a love of wine across Japan & South Korea. It’s a big deal! The movie (well, more of a miniseries) follows two wine prodigies, Camille & Issei, who are brought together in an unexpected wine competition to win a legendary inheritance. While the blind tasting scenes are sweat-inducing for any sommelier, and the iconic wines will make everyone thirsty, there is so much about Drops of God that is compelling even for non wine people. The Japanese/French cultural clash is a plot in itself (and the family dramas! Sheesh), let alone the stunning vineyard vistas.

Watch in Australia on Apple TV+

Wine Pairing: A rustic French red.

You will be my son (2011)--red

It’s fair to say that quite a few of the wine-related dramas released over the past few decades tend to lean a bit on the schmaltzy side of things. This is absolutely not something you could say of You Will Be My Son, which is - for our money - one of the best wine flicks of all time. It explores the thorny issue of inheritance, and the fact that so many wineries are traditionally passed down from father to son… but what happens when the father doesn’t trust the son, and instead gifts his winery to the hard-working children of his vineyard manager instead? It’s a beautifully shot, deeply dramatic thriller, and really does tick every box for a movie night in.

In Australia you can find it on Google Play here

Wine Pairing: A great bottle of St. Emilion from Bordeaux

The secret of Santa Vittoria (1969)--aromatic

If you’re a fan of classic European cinema as much as you are fans of classic European wines, you’re in for a real treat with this movie. The Secret of Santa Vittoria is an absolute gem of a film, and one which really stands up to repeat viewings. It tells the story of the winemakers of an Italian village attempting to hide their treasure - one million bottles of fine wine - from the Nazis during the Second World War. It was nominated for two Oscars, and stars Anthony Quinn from Lawrence of Arabia… so if that doesn’t tempt you to watch this quirky yet sweeping epic, nothing will!

In Australia you can find the trailer here

Wine Pairing: Chianti Classico

Year of the comet (1992)--racy

We miss the 90s. The music, the fashion, the movies… although not necessarily the wine. However, this 90s film is something of a cult classic among wine lovers, despite having some fairly creaky acting and a slightly tropey pairing of stars. It’s all about a wine taster, played by Penelope Ann Miller, who’s invited to Scotland to evaluate an extremely rare and old bottle of wine which has recently been uncovered. She’s paired up with a tough-guy bodyguard, and naturally, they get on like chalk and cheese. However, dark forces are gathering, as others are going to try and get their hands on the bottle for their own nefarious reasons. A bit of a romp, but a highly enjoyable one.

You can find it on YouTube here

Wine Pairing: A slightly oaked Chardonnay

Somm (2012)--aromatic

This documentary has become somewhat legendary among wine obsessives since its release a few years ago. It follows the efforts of four hopeful sommeliers, each striving to achieve the Master Sommelier Diploma - a ridiculously lofty and difficult certification to attain, and one which has only been awarded to 240 people since it was launched in the 1960s. This movie really delves into the precise art and craft of wine tasting, food pairing, and serving, and provides a fascinating insight into the upper echelons of the wine world.

You can find it on Netflix here

Wine Pairing: Dry Riesling, every somm’s favourite wine!

Bottle shock (2008)--cellar

Love top-quality Californian wine? Of course you. Love the late, great Alan Rickman? If not, it’s likely we can’t be friends. Bottle Shock is a cool and quirky movie featuring both, and is a hugely fun slab of nostalgia to soak yourself in as it takes you through the turbulent wine scene of the 1970s. The movie is all about the notorious ‘Judgement of Paris’ - the wine contest which saw Californian red wines definitively thrash those from France. It was a defining moment which heralded the arrival of the New World wine movement, and one the French are still pretty sore about to this day. Great scenery, awesome cameos from a host of top actors, and a story you can really get your teeth into.

In Australia you can find it on Google Play here

Wine Pairing: Napa Cabernet (what else?)

Mondovino (2004)--plum

Most movies and documentaries about wine sit in two clear categories: In half of them, there’s a hefty dose of romance and pretty scenery. In the other, we tend to be shown the fussy, somewhat pretentious, and over-the-top nature of the more luxurious world of wine. Mondovino really breaks this mould; it’s a two hour documentary made up mostly of handheld camera footage, and breaks open the secrets behind the damage globalisation is doing to traditional wine industries. It deals with issues of deforestation, pollution, big business, and political influences, and while it’s not the easiest of watches, it will make you swear to stick to your local and boutique wineries from the moment you finish.

You can find the trailer here

Wine Pairing: A bottle of vin naturel from your nearest local winery

Sideways (2004)--earth

Is it possible to have a list of wine movies without mentioning Sideways? It was a smash hit back in 2004, and was possibly the first wine-related movie to really break into the mainstream. Actually, many claim that the dip in Merlot sales which still abounds today was directly influenced by the opinions expressed in the film - after all, it’s hard not to identify with the main characters Jack and Miles as they explore wine, friendship, depression, relationships, and generally moving on through life into middle age. Fourteen years later, it’s still good fun to watch, and a great movie to drink along with.

You can find it on Google Play here

Wine Pairing: Not Merlot

Sour grapes: true story, fake wine--wines

Rudy Kurniawan was widely recognised as a wine savant, constantly surrounded by America’s most fervent (slightly douchebaggy) wine connoisseurs. But when a top collector and a Burgundian wine producer discover a suspiciously incorrect bottle, an investigator starts looking into one of the biggest cons of the decade.

(Also, New York Magazine wrote an awesome profile on the con man a few years earlier, if you require further reading.)

Watch the trailer for Sour Grapes

Wine Pairing : something you nicked from your Dad's cellar

Decanted: a winemaker’s journey--red

This documentary focuses specifically on the Napa Valley region in California. It follows the development of a new vineyard seen through the eyes of the region’s elite. What kind of person can make it in the highly competitive, well-established, slightly snooty arena of the Napa? Watch what it takes to build a brand, strike a claim and make your dreams come true. (That sounds like a tech start-ups pep talk, sorry.)

Watch the trailer for Decanted

Wine Pairing : a big, bold red

Haute cuisine--aromatic

OK, it’s not strictly about wine, but this wonderful French film about the President’s personal chef is full of delectable foodie moments. If you’ve had enough of all the docos (all that damn learning…) then settle onto the couch for this feast for the eyes. Just make sure you’ve already had dinner, or you’ll be starving.

Watch the trailer for Haute Cuisine

Wine Pairing : anything French

About the Author

Banjo Harris Plane is the three-time winner Sommelier of the Year Australia and a certified advanced Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. He first cut his teeth in the wine industry working as a sommelier in Australia's best restaurants, before starting multiple businesses in the space of a few years... these included two restaurants, a wine import business and co-founding Good Pair Days!