Wine Club Member Only Case

Father of the Bride (1950). In this beloved family comedy, a doting father finds himself overwhelmed as his daughter prepares for her wedding. With Spencer Tracy bringing warmth and humor to the role, and Elizabeth Taylor glowing as the young bride, Vincente Minnelli’s direction captures both the hilarity and tenderness of this family event. Earning three Academy Award nominations—including Best Actor for Tracy and Best Picture—this classic was an instant hit. The movie’s joyful, yet chaotic, energy complements this deliciously crisp Italian bubbly that adds a touch of sophistication and sparkle.

Cat People (1942). A B-movie that rose above its limitations to become a suspense and horror classic. A response to Universal's The Wolf Man (1941), RKO's story of lycanthropy relied more heavily on suggestion and imagination than makeup and special effects. The first feature produced by Val Lewton, the film is a perfect match for this smooth and imaginative red blend with its own distinctive notes of passion and intrigue.

Gidget (1959). An Australian wine that can be described as "sunshine in a glass" calls for a sunny, smile-inducing movie. With a contagiously effervescent Sandra Dee as the teen surfer, this hit film helped to bring Southern Californian culture to the masses. Its popularity led to two sequels and a television series that launched the career of Sally Field.

Cool Hand Luke (1967). This cool South African Sauvignon Blanc helps to create an easygoing, relaxed mood, which is a nice complement to the cool but rebellious namesake of this 1967 classic. It stars Paul Newman as a free-spirited convict who refuses to let his spirit be broken while serving two years on a Southern chain gang. Directed by Stuart Rosenberg, it also features a standout performance by George Kennedy, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as fellow convict, Dragline.

The Falcon and the Snowman (1985). In this intense drama, the relationship between two friends unravels as they naively stumble deep into the world of Cold War espionage. Directed by John Schlesinger, it stars Timothy Hutton (the Falcon) as an ex-seminary student who partners with Sean Penn (the Snowman), a small time drug-dealer, to pass on government secrets to the Russians in a misguided attempt at an ethical deed. This Portuguese white wine with its own falcon identity is far from a misstep. The wine's vibrant and dynamic notes pair perfectly with this high-tension story of intrigue, betrayal and moral conflict.

The Merry Widow (1934). This classic romance follows a prince who tries to lure a wealthy widow, and her money, back to her home country, the fictitious Marshovia. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, the film stars Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier. Lush and cinematic, it won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. Sipping this silky smooth Pinot Noir is the perfect way to enjoy its luxurious setting and romantic plot.

It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947). This lush Viognier, brimming with personality, captures the heartwarming spirit of a holiday classic where unexpected friendships flourish. In this seasonal favorite, a group of unlikely characters finds solace in a vacant mansion on Fifth Avenue during the Christmas season. Directed by Roy Del Ruth, the film features a charming cast, including Victor Moore, Don DeFore and Gale Storm. The wine’s bright peach notes and lively flavors mirror the movie's warmth, making it a perfect companion for holiday cheer.

Vertigo (1958). Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece of love, loss and mysterious identities uses a clever floral motif to link a flower shop, a painterly bouquet and the terrifying dreams of the main character (James Stewart). This full-bodied white wine, with its own strong floral undertones, makes an excellent companion. Co-starring Kim Novak in her most iconic role, the film is widely considered to be one of the best ever brought to screen.

Mania (aka The Flesh and the Fiends) (1960). This bold Zinfandel, brimming with dark-fruit flavors, is a perfect match for the chilling tale inspired by Scotland’s infamous body snatchers. In this atmospheric thriller, Peter Cushing stars as Dr. Robert Knox, a surgeon whose quest for medical progress entangles him with two men willing to kill to deliver fresh cadavers. Known for his numerous roles in Hammer Horror films, Cushing brings gravitas to this often overlooked horror classic.

Three on a Match (1932). This robust Cabernet ripe with flavor makes the perfect match for this pre-Code classic intertwining scandal, friendship and fate. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, the film follows Vivian Revere (Ann Dvorak) as she leaves her seemingly happy family while falling for gangster Michael Loftus (Lyle Talbot). Joan Blondell and Bette Davis play friends from childhood who try to save Vivian from her self-imposed fate. It's a tale as bold as the wine. Dvorak's descent into despair is often cited as a prime example of pre-Code's darker side.

La Strada (1954). A product of Rome, this white wine showcases the local Malvasia Puntinata grape that thrives in the region. It brims with authenticity and character. This Federico Fellini tale, also authentically Italian, tells the unconventional love story between strong-man performer Zampano (Anthony Quinn) and his supporting act and travelling companion, Gelsomina (Giulietta Masina). A seminal Italian movie that helped make Fellini a worldwide sensation, it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

It would be criminal not to pair The Clink with a classic of the crime film genre. 39 Steps, starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll, is as riveting and fun today as when initially released. This arresting adventure of a man falsely suspected of murder was pivotal in establishing Hitchcock as a premier director, a role that he would retain for decades to come.

Classic Movie Pairing: Airplane! (1980)
With its slapstick antics and silly one-liners, this irreverent comedy set the standard for all funny films to follow. A send-up of disaster movies (in particular the Airport series), it relaunched the career of costar Leslie Nielsen and positioned writer-directors Jim Abrahams, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker as comedy heavyweights. Try not to spill this bright and lively Paso Robles Chardonnay while chuckling along with this film’s hundred-gags-a-minute.

Lush and intensely textured, this Castelao-based blend perfectly complements the film’s epic grandeur. Directed by David Lean and based on Boris Pasternak’s novel, it portrays the tumultuous romance of Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif) and Lara (Julie Christie) amidst the upheaval of the Russian Revolution. Hailed as a masterpiece upon its release, the film’s commercial success helped save MGM from financial failure. Like the winery, the film’s achievements were widely recognized, earning 10 Academy Award nominations and winning five.

Explore this full-bodied Tannat from California with this sci-fi classic. Directed by Roger Corman and starring Ray Milland, this thriller delves into the consequences of a scientist’s experiment with X-ray vision that leads to, somewhat ironically, unforeseen challenges. The film’s unconventional plot lines up with the promise of the Left of Ordinary name, capturing both the extraordinary essence of the film and the unique character of the varietal.

Dive into this Jules Verne–inspired adventure with Lost Isle, a Cabernet brimming with dark-fruit flavors and velvety tannins. Starring Michael Craig, Joan Greenwood and Herbert Lom, the film follows Civil War refugees stranded on a remote island teeming with monstrous creatures and hidden dangers. Brought to life by Ray Harryhausen’s iconic stop-motion effects, it remains a fan favorite, much like the wine’s rich and enticing allure.

Starring the ever-popular John Wayne and filmed in Utah’s Monument Valley, The Searchers epitomizes the Western and remains one of the most respected films of all time in any genre. Though uncommonly soulful, it tells a compelling rescue story with some of Hollywood’s most thrilling screen moments. Shot in gorgeous VistaVision, it’s also the perfect sidekick to this complex red from the rugged terrain of the Mendoza region.

For a Washington wine, watch a film set in the Evergreen State. John Wayne stars as Seattle police lieutenant Lon McHugh, a.k.a "McQ," whose maverick style puts him at odds with his department during a homicide investigation. Even if patterned a bit too much after films like Dirty Harry (1971), Bullitt (1968), and The French Connection (1971), strong performances and memorable action sequences make this a must-see for fans of the Duke.

By the late 1930s, Preston Sturges had established himself as a writer of remarkable wit and sophistication. In this first directorial effort, he charts the unlikely rise and fall of a corrupt New York Governor (Brian Donlevy), an example of the comedic American social commentary for which Sturges became so well known. It’s a broadly entertaining film, as pleasing as the succulent flavors and fruit-forward aromas of this smooth Chardonnay.

This aptly named Moscato is perfectly suited for a unique Western comedy centered around a brothel in Cheyenne, Wyoming, that finds unwitting new owners in aging cowboys James Stewart and Henry Fonda. The two Old Hollywood stars are perfectly cast here opposite Shirley Jones as the Madame, in a movie that could only have been made in the New Hollywood era of relaxed restrictions on content - a great pairing with a sweetly satisfying white wine.

This classic romance follows a prince who tries to lure a wealthy widow, and her money, back to his home country, the fictious Marshovia. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, the film stars Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier. Lush and cinematic, it won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. Sipping on this silky smooth Pinot Noir is the perfect way to enjoy its luxurious setting and romantic plot.

Enjoy the ethereal tale with this crisp, light white that mirrors the film’s enchanting allure. Directed by Vincey Minnelli and starring Gene Kelly, Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse, this musical fantasy dances through a world where passion and magic collide. The wine’s exhilarating notes complement the memorable choreography and lush Technicolor landscapes.

Adapted from the Graham Greene novel A Gun for Sale, this iconic noir stars Alan Ladd as the double-crossed, cold-blooded killer, Philip Raven. It was also the first of four classic Paramount pairings with his co-lead, the striking and unforgettable Veronica Lake. Tense from start to finish, it is a favorite of fans of the genre. Pair with this equally intense and memorable red that you also won’t soon forget.

Rossano Brazzi plays into his persona of suave Italian playboy in this tale of an American teacher who journeys to Europe to find love. Suzanne Pleshette stars opposite not only Brazzi, but Troy Donahue as a fellow American and aspiring architect, and Angie Dickinson as his former lover. This delicious, aromatic Trebbinao provides a zingy backdrop to this fun and memorable romance.